Memory problem

[squirellplaying]

When booting up these three errors come up.

172 - System Configuration Nonvolatile Memory Invalid Initialization Aborted

172 - 1 Configuration Nonvolatile Memory Invalid

162 - System option not set

I am running redhat 9.0 right now. What are these problem and how can I fix them. I suspect a hardware problem.

[oracleguy]

While I don't know how relevent the document is to your situation (I'm not a big Linux guy), they do talk about all 3 error messages though: http://www.cpqlinux.com/steps.html

Perhaps you can provide some more details about what is going on with your system/what you were doing?

[Roy Sinclair]

Replace the battery on the motherboard, it's gone dead so you're losing your bios settings when the PC is powered off.

You may also have to reset the bios once you've done this to clear out these errors.

[squirellplaying]

While I don't know how relevent the document is to your situation (I'm not a big Linux guy), they do talk about all 3 error messages though: http://www.cpqlinux.com/steps.html

Perhaps you can provide some more details about what is going on with your system/what you were doing?

I read through the document and there is one problem. I do not have the smartstart cd. This was donated to me. This has happened ever since I went in to fix the mouse not working. :-x I think I did it. Before I was not getting these errors. But now I am having problems with the command prompt in linux and I'm trying to see if this is causing the problems there.


Ok. The problem I have to getting to the motherboard. I have tried before but to no avail. There is so much metal in there. There is one board which is easily accessable that does have what looks like a battery, and 6 pins. If I remember correctly I take the thing that is on two and move it over to the left so that it covers the other two pins. Let it stand for 60 seconds and put it back in its original place. Is that correct? Could this also be the battery you mentioned? And how do I get it out? It seems to be in there firmly.

[Roy Sinclair]

Most motherboards that I know of have what looks like a large coin for a battery and it should be mounted somewhere on the board in a simple holder where you can usually press firmly on one edge and it'll pop out. You should be able to find an appropriate replacement at any large department store like Walmart.

Some of the really older machines used other battery arrangements including batteries that were soldered in place :eek:. If you can give us more information about the machine perhaps we can find a diagram of the motherboard so we can direct you where to look.

[squirellplaying]

Its a compaq proliant 1600.

[Roy Sinclair]

I hope you've got a broadband link, otherwise you'll need to budget a long time online.

The messages you're seeing are detailed on page 60 of the following 168 page manual (in PDF form). Beware that link, that manual's huge but if you don't have it, you really do need to get a copy. The short of it though is that it suggests you run the "System Configuration Utility" which I believe you can get into by hitting F9 during the POST.
http://h200002.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/UCR/SupportManual/TPM_149036-001_rev3_us/TPM_149036-001_rev3_us.pdf

Try using the configuration utility to reset the NVRAM first but if the problem persists then it will be the battery which is failing to keep the memory live. The battery on that system is soldered onto the motherboard but they've also placed a connector for an external battery (which you'll have to find at a computer store, regular retailers won't be likely to carry this kind of battery) on the motherboard. Page 54 of the manual shows you where to connect it. The following link details some additional steps you may be forced to do after replacing the battery.

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?locale=en_US&taskId=110&prodSeriesId=254906&prodTypeId=15351&objectID=PSD_CN0178W

The rest of the information you may want to know about your server is at http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DocumentIndex.jsp?contentType=SupportManual&locale=en_US&docIndexId=179911&taskId=110&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=254906

I'd check for firmware updates there but don't mess with that until you've solved the current problems.

[Roy Sinclair]

Oh yeah, I knew those messages all seemed really familiar. I've seen them before when I used to maintain a couple Compaq 6500 servers (both now retired, the last one just a month ago).

[squirellplaying]

I wouldnt think of running anything less then broadband for a website. But yes it is DSL, so its happy. Looks like I have a weekend project! Thanks. I'll report back as soon as I know something. :)

[squirellplaying]

After the post it says to fit F1 to continue and F10 to enter the system partition utilities. The manual said System Configuration Utility was in a menu from the system partition utilites. When I hit F10 to go to it, I get this error:

The System Partition Utilities are not available on this system.
Hit any key to continue.....

Am I screwed without the CD I need?

[Roy Sinclair]

Yep, you need the CD. Check the downloadable software for that box at http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/18416.html, you may be able to get the software you need that way.

[squirellplaying]

I'm running linux redhat9, the link you gave me was for windows. I've looked all over the compaq site and other forums and can not find if the versian of smartstart matters.

[squirellplaying]

I've contacted hp. They gave me links to download the stuff I need. But I getting errors. Will resetting the motherboard possibly solve this?

[Roy Sinclair]

Compaq always built "odd" hardware and their required system partitions for bios functions have always meant systems that had lots of difficulty when changing disks but a little extra functionality prior to OS installation. Their system partitions look a lot like DOS/Win3.1 programs to me but they may have only borrowed the look.

I suspect that reseting the motherboard will eliminate those errors but you're not going to know for sure until you try it.

[squirellplaying]

Hp got those errors fix but now my mouse isn't being detected again.

[ibtecproducts]

Do you still remember where the link was from HP for the compaq server diagnostics (compaq 1600, smart array 221)?? I can't get my system into bios or the controller utility??

Thanks -

[squirellplaying]

To resolve the issue, we suggest the following:

1. Run Compaq System Erase Utility. The Compaq System Erase Utility is
available at the following Web link:

http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/16251.html

2. Please download the Compaq System Configuration Utility version
2.57 (26 Sep 01) from the following Web link:

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/10786.html

That's the response I got. But if memory servers me correctly they sent me the wrong download. I called them up and they sent me to the right link. I don't remember what it is though.

Toll free Technical Support at 1-800-Ok-Compaq (1-800-652-6672).

[ibtecproducts]

Thanks for the links squirrellplaying! I'll give it a try.