Scored a power5 system at an online auction, but soon the joy turned into a nightmare.
The system comes up but then goes right back to power-off status.
Several codes appear on the front panel display. Since the server has no framebuffer, I had to connect via serial terminal to collect more information.
19200,8,N,1,hardware and I was logged on using the default user/pass.
After looking at the different options, I powered up the system.
The fans seem to go full speed and several codes are dumped on the terminal screen.
Then the server goes back to power-off status. I log on again on the serial console and look at the error logs.
Seems like the firmware is way out of date. So I look up on IBM and find the latest firmware. However, I need a service contract to download anything there. Crap.
One of the error logs says procedure FSPSP38 needs to be applied. On the system in question, a 9131-52A, that means replacing the system backplane, which I suppose is the mainboard.
Have I bought a burnt system? If I change the mainboard (there's one for sale at fleabay) will I be able to get this box running, or will I have to go through IBM?
On IBM's capacity on demand database, the system seems to have the processor activation code (POD). Will I also have to activate the RAM (MOD)?? I have only worked on AIX as a user before. Would probably install linux on this beast if I manage to get it running.
The system comes up but then goes right back to power-off status.
Several codes appear on the front panel display. Since the server has no framebuffer, I had to connect via serial terminal to collect more information.
19200,8,N,1,hardware and I was logged on using the default user/pass.
After looking at the different options, I powered up the system.
The fans seem to go full speed and several codes are dumped on the terminal screen.
Then the server goes back to power-off status. I log on again on the serial console and look at the error logs.
Seems like the firmware is way out of date. So I look up on IBM and find the latest firmware. However, I need a service contract to download anything there. Crap.
One of the error logs says procedure FSPSP38 needs to be applied. On the system in question, a 9131-52A, that means replacing the system backplane, which I suppose is the mainboard.
Have I bought a burnt system? If I change the mainboard (there's one for sale at fleabay) will I be able to get this box running, or will I have to go through IBM?
On IBM's capacity on demand database, the system seems to have the processor activation code (POD). Will I also have to activate the RAM (MOD)?? I have only worked on AIX as a user before. Would probably install linux on this beast if I manage to get it running.
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Sitting in a room.....thinkin' shit up.
400MHz R12k - Apple G4 Cube dual 500MHz/GF6200 - Newton Messagepad 2100 - Apple PowerBook 2400c/G3@240 - DECstation5000/133 - Apple Workgroup Server 9150/120 - Apple Macintosh IIfx - Apple Macintosh Color Classic (Mystic upgrade) - Sun Cobalt Cube 3 - Tadpole RDI UltraBook IIi
