• Please review our updated Terms and Rules here

VAXstation 4000/60 NVR issues.

TJ_Mossman

TJ_Mossman

Experienced Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
370
Location
Bristol, England
Hi All,

I've recently come to test my VAXstation 6000/60 after a few years in storage, to find that it displays the following when powered up:
?3C NVR WRTERR

When halted, it displays "?? CRPT - Corrupt bit is set"

I did a bit of searching about the error codes (the first one is pretty self explanatory anyway), and saw a thread which suggested I replace the Dallas clock chip, which I've done, but it hasn't made any difference. I know the chip is good as I've tried it on another machine.

Any ideas?
Thanks
 
Which Dallas chip was in it, and which did you replace with? I ran into a very similar issue last night -- replacing a MK48T86, which claims to be a 100% replacement for a DS12887, with a real DS12887. Turns out the 48T86 has much faster cycle timing, and that's probably why the POST was giving CMOS write errors on the POST port card.
 
glitch said:
Which Dallas chip was in it, and which did you replace with? I ran into a very similar issue last night -- replacing a MK48T86, which claims to be a 100% replacement for a DS12887, with a real DS12887. Turns out the 48T86 has much faster cycle timing, and that's probably why the POST was giving CMOS write errors on the POST port card.
Click to expand...

Same as the original, a real DS1287A.
 
Where did you get a new DS1287A? As far as I know, all current production is DS12887 -- so you might have a relabel or something that's NOS but dead anyway. You might try bending up the RAM clear pin on the DS1287A, it's pulled up internally so bending it up will de-assert it.

You could also grab a NOS/vintage DS1285 on eBay, which is the IC used inside the DS1287 module, and either glue a crystal and battery holder to the top, or use my GW-12887-1 board:

http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?59536-GW-12887-1-A-DS1287-DS12887-et-al-Replacement

It actually ends up being cheaper than a new DS12887. I've got a couple prototype GW-12887-1 boards left from the first prototype run so I could send you a board or a complete assembled NVRAM. As luck would have it, I also have a VAXstation 4000/60 so I can test compatibility if you like!

EDIT: Confirmed that a DS12885+ with my GW-12887-1 board works in a VS 4000/60:

Code: 
KA46-A V1.2-343-V4.0
08-00-2B-38-7B-DB
24MB

DEVNBR    DEVNAM           INFO
------    --------    --------------------------
     1         NVR    OK
     2         LCG    OK
                       HR - 8 PLN FB - V1.2
     3          DZ    OK
     4       CACHE    OK
     5         MEM    OK
                      24MB = SY=8MB, S0/1=8MB, S2/3=8MB, S4/5=0MB
     6         FPU    OK
     7          IT    OK
     8         SYS    OK
     9          NI    ?? 001 0172
    10        SCSI    OK
                      5-TZK10   6-INITR
    11         AUD    OK
 
Last edited:
I tried pulling a working one from a 486 PC, so not NOS. Thanks for the offer, I might consider it but first I'll try the dremel mod. (although I doubt the battery is the problem any more)
 
Ever figure out what the cause of this error? I've got a machine that worked fine when I put it on a shelf a few years ago but now its doing the same thing - "?3C WRTERR" and "?? CRPT - Reenter bit clr"
 
I've run into this issue with a 3100-80, too. I retrofitted a battery to the original NVRAM chip, and I also tried a NWX287, both with the same result:

Code: 
??RT-Crutbti e


?3C NVR WRTERR

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

-Hans
 
I tried a new RTC chip in my VAXstation 4000/60 too but that didn't fix it either.

And sadly my other VAXstation 4000/60 is even more dead - all diagnostic LEDs come on and stay on with nothing on the serial terminal.

I kind of wonder if the ROM has just gone bad with age. Flash memory doesn't retain data forever if that's where the firmware is being stored.
 
davidrg said:
I tried a new RTC chip in my VAXstation 4000/60 too but that didn't fix it either.

And sadly my other VAXstation 4000/60 is even more dead - all diagnostic LEDs come on and stay on with nothing on the serial terminal.

I kind of wonder if the ROM has just gone bad with age. Flash memory doesn't retain data forever if that's where the firmware is being stored.
Click to expand...
Some RTCs need to be kick started. On my VLC I just hacked the old chip.

I didn't think any VAX had flash, but EPROM can also suffer bit-rot. I would also check PSU voltages. PSU in my 3100 died....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top