Conference wrksys::dec3000

248.0. "DEC3000 300 DECWindows display is 1/4" in height" by PEACHS::BECHTOLD () Thu Feb 06 1997 08:56

Hello,
    
    	This was also cross posted in AlphaStation Conf. and DECWindows
    	Notes Conf.
    
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Note 1842.0  DEC3000 300 DECWindows display is 1/4" in height across  No replies
PEACHS::BECHTOLD                                     76 lines   5-FEB-1997 21:49
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         Problem statement:
    
    DEC3000-300L OpenVMS Alpha V6.1 Customer updated the System SRM Firmware
    to V6.9 using the V3.8 AXP Firmware CD. Since doing so the system fails
    to display a full Login Window display under OpenvMS DECwindows.
    Everything else on the system appears to be fine, and the DECWindows Xserver
    appears to be running as normal, except that the display on the screen is 
    only at � inch in height across the bottom of the display. System is using 
    the embedded HX+ PMAGB-B Graphics option.
    
    Workaround:
    
    The Customer Support Center has seen a few of these situations over the
    last week. Either downgrading the firmware to SRM V6.1 or updating the
    operating system to OpenVMS V7.1 resolves the problem.
    
    Questions:
    
    1) Should this work ?
    
    Per the "DEC 3000 AXP[TM] Systems and TURBOchannel[TM] Options Update 
    Utility Procedures - Release Notes V6.9" off the V3.8 AXP Firmware CD.
    
    FILE: DISK:[DOC]DEC3000_V69_FW_RELNOTE.TXT;1
    
    <Extract>
    
                  The following tables show the compatibility between the
                  firmware revisions and revisions of OpenVMS AXP and
    Digital
                  UNIX.
    
                  Table 1 DEC 3000 Model 300/300L AXP
    
                  Firmware
                  Rev        OpenVMS AXP            Digital UNIX
    .
    .
    .
                  6.9        6.1, 6.1-1Hx, 6.2H-     3.0, 3.2x, 4.0, 4.0b
                             1Hx, 7.0, 7.1
    
    <End of extract>
    
    
    I have expereinces this problem and others similiar where the SRM
    Console Firmware was required to be downgraded back to a version that
    shipped with the Operating System. IE OpenVMS V6.1 requires V6.0 or
    V6.1 SRM Console firmware.
    
    Should customers upgrade the SRM Console Firmware to the latest and
    greatest without consideration of the Operating system version ?
    
    Or do the SRM Console Firmware and Operating Systems require specific
    compatible releases ?
    
    According to the SRM Firmware Release Notes as noted above, the V6.9
    SRM console firmware should work with V6.1 of the operating system.
    
    This particular customer is required to use the DEC3000 300L for both
    Digital Unix V4.0B, requires V6.9 SRM Firmware, and OpenVMS Version
    6.1. So, they are in a bind and do not wish to downgrade/upgrade the 
    firmware each time they need to boot the various operating system
    disks.
    
    Any help is appreciated.
    
    Regards,
    Dave Bechtold
    DTN 343-1216