ALPHA 255, in the intensive care unit

From: Miguel Angel Usón Finkenzeller (mauf2_at_unizar.es)
Date: 10/27/04 

Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 10:04:24 +0200

Dear all,

my Alpha 255, which I took for dead last July, is still running... But it
crashes now and then. Alive periods range from less than a minute to 20
days (not the expected VMS/Digital reliability), and sometimes it takes
many trials (resets, power cycles, whatever...) to get to a steady
condition. Sometimes it stops while starting up, sometimes even earlier,
during configuration check.

After this weekend's crash, I have overhauled it completely, and have found
nothing. Now it has been up for 16 hours but I am afraid it might crash
again at any time.

The famous 2.2 microFarad capacitor next to the mouse and keyboard outlets
seems allright, the power supply puts out the expected +-12, +5 and 3.3
volts, all the connectors a were and are again firmly attached, and yet...

One thing I find strange is that the CPU cooling fan receives only 7.0
volts. Is that what it should be? As said, the 12v reach the motherboard.

Any hints are appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Miguel Ángel Usón

P.S. I'm happy my OpenVMS umbrella is still in working order: today it's
raining heavily!

------------
Dept. of Inorganic Chemistry
University of Zaragoza
E-50009 SPAIN