[rescue] Trying to rescue a Sun Ultra 45

[Nick B]

If you're passing post max you're pretty much golden.  Just find a fan tray.
Nick


On Wed, Jan 15, 2014 at 12:26 AM, Sean Tedio <seantedio at gmail.com> wrote:

> So I got the original memory. I unplugged all the power connectors
> other than those to the motherboard. and disconnected the black
> connector to the fan assembly. I connected via serial using the manual
> parameters. Powered up the system and...
>
> Success.. the system output over serial and is currently staying on. I
> didn't get a hard drive for it so it doesn't find a boot device, but
> it is staying on.
>
> So I decided to push my luck... I plugged in the graphics cards fans
> everything except hard drives (since they were removed). I get to the
> ok prompt on the monitor now.
>
> So I try to run post from the ok prompt. Immediately disconnects me
> from my serial connection. Then I found out if I reconnect quickly I
> can see the post status as it's running. I did a "post max max"  which
> output:
>
> 0>INFO:
> 0>      POST Passed all devices.
> 0>
> 0>POST: Return to OBP.
>
>
> So according to the manual post passed. Is there any other diagnostics
> I can run before I get a hard drive in this thing and attempt to
> install an OS?
>
> Thank you all very much for your help. It is greatly appreciated.
>
> -Sean
>
> On Tue, Jan 14, 2014 at 12:04 PM, Peter Stokes <peter at ashlyn.co.uk> wrote:
> > Hi Sean
> >
> > Just to confirm you get no output from the serial console before it
> powers
> > down?
> >
> > I have seen issues with the fans in the psu being reported as faulty,
> when
> > they are not, pull the small black lead from the PSU to the motherboard
> to see
> > if that makes a difference.
> >
> > Alternative is that something is crowbar'ing the PSU, so unplug the disk
> > backplane and the main fans to see if it makes a difference.
> >
> > Peter
> > ---------------------------
> > Peter Stokes
> > Ashlyn Computer Services
> > Tel: 01636 627990
> > Mbl: 07977 532320
> > ---------------------------
> >
> >
> >
> > On 14 Jan 2014, at 16:53, Sean Tedio <seantedio at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> I have acquired a Sun Ultra 45workstation. The Sun part number is
> >> A89-XHZB1-9AF-1GDT. I felt the junk heap was an improper end for such
> >> a fine machine and so I decided to bring it home.
> >>
> >> Short Story:
> >> The machine powers on for a few seconds and then turns off. I have a
> >> number of LEDs on the motherboard and I'm wondering if there is any
> >> way to obtain diagnostic information from them.
> >>
> >> Long Story:
> >> After taking the box home, I found out why it was in the junk heap...
> >> It powers on for about 5 seconds and then shuts itself off. I inquired
> >> to the IT department as to the reasons for it's disposal and they
> >> cited this behavior. They said they first noticed the machine would
> >> turn off at randomly causing it to be removed from circulation and
> >> then ended in the scenario I just described. I started normal hardware
> >> diagnostics and removed video card/ram/harddrive and tried again with
> >> the same result. I figured the mostly likely candidate was the power
> >> supply. I hooked the power supply up to a powersupply tester and it
> >> found no faults on the default 24pin ATX connector. I tested the
> >> remaining connectors using a voltmeter and confirmed that all voltages
> >> were correct according to their wire color. I then took the power
> >> supply apart and inspected it for bad capacitors, visual or smells of
> >> burning, and found none. I have found a number of power supplies on
> >> ebay, but they are used, and I'm not sure of their condition or if
> >> they will even fix the problem. What I am hoping to find is more
> >> information on the motherboard LEDs and their meanings. I have used
> >> all my google-foo powers and come up with manuals for the system, but
> >> none describe motherboard LEDs only the LED on the front of the
> >> system. It doesn't appear that I can get any support from Oracle (no
> >> surprise there).
> >>
> >> So now I have come to you hoping that by some miracle you might know
> >> something about this system that may help me in saving it from the
> >> junk heap.
> >>
> >> Thank you in advance,
> >>
> >> -Sean
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> rescue list - http://www.sunhelp.org/mailman/listinfo/rescue
> > _______________________________________________
> > rescue list - http://www.sunhelp.org/mailman/listinfo/rescue
> _______________________________________________
> rescue list - http://www.sunhelp.org/mailman/listinfo/rescue