[rescue] Trying to rescue a Sun Ultra 45

[Sean Tedio]

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
> _______________________________________________
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