SGI: Hardware

Hello everyone, new user here.
Recently, I acquired an O2 at long last. However, the power button is unresponsive and the unit turns on the moment I plug it in (Reset button works fine). In addition, the video output flashes purple (big issue here, the video output is supposed to show weather data screens). I plugged it into my monitor and I've seen the console like others I know said I should. I'm not too familiar with SGIs myself (I know the basics such as the hardware parts, at the least), so any information on my level would be appreciated. I have already performed steps given in the instructions to the unit, but this continues to be an issue. Reading over the forums, it seems that others have had the power issue (albeit with a red LED instead of a green one).

P.S. My O2 seems to be a rare variant (specifically designed for cable systems) and so it does not show the desktop like others, rather showing a rendering/data console. I do not know the specs other than that it runs IRIX 6.3 at this time, and based on the hard drive model numbers, has 2x 36GB hard drives.

I suppose you have read viewtopic.php?t=217

Before you start looking for that particular jumper: please be careful with pulling out the mainboard, you will risk zapping it if it is still on mains. What i always do is turn it off, then unplug the cable and wait for at least half an hour before you do anything. This way you let the Power Supply capacitors lose their charge.

If the jumper is not set and the machine still powers on when on mains try to enter the console, either with monitor and keyboard or a serial connection and reset the firmware environment with 'resetenv'

dexter1 wrote: I suppose you have read viewtopic.php?t=217

Before you start looking for that particular jumper: please be careful with pulling out the mainboard, you will risk zapping it if it is still on mains. What i always do is turn it off, then unplug the cable and wait for at least half an hour before you do anything. This way you let the Power Supply capacitors lose their charge.

If the jumper is not set and the machine still powers on when on mains try to enter the console, either with monitor and keyboard or a serial connection and reset the firmware environment with 'resetenv'

You may want to printenv first, and make note of the OSLoadpartition stuff. If you get that far..

Irix 6.3 was the version released with the O2 in 1996. Not sure what to make of purple flashes, it sounds like the display cable could be bad or your monitor isn't compatible.
The unit turning itself on and the power button not working are common problems on the O2 (and some other SGI machines). The cause is the automatic boot circuitry that takes its input from the real-time clock. You can tell it to turn itself on at a later time, then shut down the machine: when the time arrives, it turns back on again. I don't know that there is any way to fix this particular problem, but there are certain things to try if it really bothers you.

uunix wrote:

dexter1 wrote: I suppose you have read viewtopic.php?t=217

Before you start looking for that particular jumper: please be careful with pulling out the mainboard, you will risk zapping it if it is still on mains. What i always do is turn it off, then unplug the cable and wait for at least half an hour before you do anything. This way you let the Power Supply capacitors lose their charge.

If the jumper is not set and the machine still powers on when on mains try to enter the console, either with monitor and keyboard or a serial connection and reset the firmware environment with 'resetenv'

You may want to printenv first, and make note of the OSLoadpartition stuff. If you get that far..

Thanks for the information. I had not found that post until it was brought up here, still looking through it. I'll be sure to remember this as soon as I can get back to my O2 (currently away, will try when I get back)

(EDIT, please read:) I will try this whenever I can figure out a solution to duplicate the hard drives.

I was able to get the system board out (you don't know the struggle, the ethernet cord was old and plastic- to answer the 1st reply post, I have had the main power cut off for 2 days now). Only problem is that I can't seem to remove the PCI board from the main one because of a clear piece of plastic that's in the way of the lever. Does anyone know how to fix this?
(Sorry if this is a noobish question. I'm not experienced with SGI products but I had to get an O2 for a project)

The clear plastic piece is part of the CPU module, and you should leave it alone for now.
Wrangling PCI cards can be a tight fit, but the card simply lifts out horizontally straight out of the PCI connector. If there is a protruding connector on the I/O panel you give it a slight twist. The PCI riser assembly (is that what you mean?) lifts straight out of the IP32 mainboard once its single retaining screw is removed.

robespierre wrote: The clear plastic piece is part of the CPU module, and you should leave it alone for now.
Wrangling PCI cards can be a tight fit, but the card simply lifts out horizontally straight out of the PCI connector. If there is a protruding connector on the I/O panel you give it a slight twist. The PCI riser assembly (is that what you mean?) lifts straight out of the IP32 mainboard once its single retaining screw is removed.

Thanks for clarifying. I was following the directions from the O2 reference guide. I'll post here again when I make more progress.