Connecting various old SPARCstations to a sony/SGI gdm20-D11
Hi all,
I have aquired quite a collection of old sparcstations here, and I would like to fire them up and try and get them working again.
As can be seen from the subject, I'm trying to get an output on an SGI monitor, which i though was not possible, but an SS4 shows up fine on it. Sadly, none of the other workstations do (IPX, IPC, SS2, SS5). Does anyone know if there is a reason why the SS4 would be the odd one out?
Also, i am connecting a keyboard and mouse to each machine as i try to get an output on the monitor, and it does emit a 'beep' when the power is switched on.
Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers
Jon
[679 byte] By [
Aussie_Jon] at [2007-11-26 6:54:41]
# 1
Attach monitor to system you are trying to troubleshoot. With the power off on the system, hold down the stop and N key and power on the unit while you continue to hold down the stop and n key. See if this fixes your issue.
Also try to minimize the memory, make sure you install the memory in the correct bank as these older systems are quite particular in how you need to populate the memory.
Also if you have a null modem cable you could run tip hardwire. Connect null modem to port B on the ss4, and port A on the system you are trying to trouble shoot. Remove the keyboard and mouse from the system your are trouble shooting.
Boot the ss4 and in terminal window run tip hardwire, then power on the other system and see if you end up getting the banner after all bepping is completed.
Thanks CA
# 2
> Hi all,
>
> I have aquired quite a collection of old
> sparcstations here, and I would like to fire them up
> and try and get them working again.
>
> As can be seen from the subject, I'm trying to get an
> output on an SGI monitor, which i though was not
> possible, but an SS4 shows up fine on it. Sadly,
> none of the other workstations do (IPX, IPC, SS2,
> SS5). Does anyone know if there is a reason why the
> SS4 would be the odd one out?
>
> Also, i am connecting a keyboard and mouse to each
> machine as i try to get an output on the monitor, and
> it does emit a 'beep' when the power is switched on.
>
> Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!
>
> Cheers
> Jon
There were one or 2 systems that had a jumper on them to allow or remove sync on green. It appears that the SS4 was one of them. Anyway, that is why it is working. There is a fairly simple (for a techie type) mod to open the 20-D11 and connect the sync lines from the 13W3 to the sync board. All circuitry is there, just never connected to the 13W3 connector. You can google for it. That way all the Sparcs will work fine... You will want to use Sun pins 5 (H/C) and 7 (V) on the 13W3 instead of the SGI mod directions pins to use 4 (H) & 5 (V).
