Rainbow 100+ Troubleshooting Guide
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Fault-finding for the Rainbow 100+ and PC100-B. The power-up self-test, its screen messages and the seven-LED codes are the same on all Rainbow models and are tabulated on Rainbow 100 Troubleshooting Guide; a PC100-B shows the message number where a PC100-A shows the bracketed wording.[1] The hard disk, the H7842-D supply and the other PC100-B differences are below.
Power and fan
[edit | edit source]On the PC100-B the fan is a DC fan powered from the H7842-D's +12 V output.[2] A fan that does not start therefore points at the supply as well as the fan, the power switch and the fan bracket connectors, all of which DEC lists for a fan that does not run.[3] With 115 V applied and the selector at 230 V, DEC says the computer cannot be operated; with 230 V applied and the selector at 115 V, internal components are damaged.[4] Supply repair is covered on DECmate II Power Supply Service.
Boot and memory messages
[edit | edit source]The PC100-B sizes its memory and can boot automatically.[5] With auto-boot selected, messages 9 and 11 (System Load Incomplete), 21 (Drive Not Ready) and 23 (Non-System Diskette) can appear during power-up.[6] Message 24, New Memory Size, appears once after memory is added or removed; if nothing has changed, check that the memory board is seated. Message 25, Set-Up Defaults Stored, means the PC100-B found and corrected a problem in its stored Set-Up and has gone to the language selection menu.[7]
Hard disk
[edit | edit source]Run the hard disk diagnostic, test 16 on a diagnostic diskette to which it has been added, or from the Rainbow Hard Disk Utility Program diskette.[8] DEC's corrective actions for its messages:[9]
| Message | DEC's action |
|---|---|
| The hard disk option is not connected | Option missing or not seated; check the controller board and cables inside the system unit |
| HARD DISK CONTROLLER: DRIVE NOT SELECTED or DRIVE NOT READY | Loose cables between drive and controller |
| HARD DISK CONTROLLER: R/W ERROR IN HEAD SELECT REGISTER | Controller not seated firmly on the system module |
| HARD DISK CONTROLLER: IMPROPER STATUS, COMMAND COMPLETION | Small connector on the drive cable, or the 4-wire power cable, not connected at the drive |
| HARD DISK CONTROLLER: seek, stepping, head position, interrupt, register, buffer, status or flag errors | Reseat the controller and rerun; if the error persists, replace the controller |
| DRIVE: DRIVE NOT READY | Drive cable or controller loose; 4-wire power cable not connected |
| DRIVE: rotational speed, hard read failure, bad surface, seek complete not detected, write fault, track 00 not found, aborted command | Substitute a known good drive and rerun; if the error persists, replace the drive cable |
| CONTROLLER OR DRIVE?: DATA ERROR BAD WRITE OR READ | Drive cable damaged; fit a new cable |
| CONTROLLER OR DRIVE?: CRC error, address mark not found, hard scan or hard write failure, ID not found, stepping rate, index latch | Reseat the controller; then replace drive cable, drive and controller, in that order |
| MEDIA: BAD SECTOR DETECTED ON CYLINDER 0 | Press Help; re-initialise the disk with the hard disk utility and rerun; if it persists, replace the drive |
| CONTROLLER OR DRIVE?: DIAGNOSTIC CYLINDER HAS INCORRECT DATA, HARD READ FAILURE | Replace drive cable, drive and controller, in that order |
DEC rates the RD51 at 3.5 A from +12 V while spinning up and 1.6 A once running, and 1.1 A from +5 V.[10] See Hard Drive Maintenance and Repair.
Extended communications option
[edit | edit source]The extended communications option is offered for the PC100-B only.[5] Its internal and external tests are test 14 on the diagnostic diskette; the external test needs loopback plug 12-15336-04 on the EXT COMM B connector.[11][8] DEC's actions for its failures are to check the option is installed, reseat it, rerun the test and then replace the option.[12]
Related pages
[edit | edit source]- Rainbow 100+
- Rainbow 100+ General Maintenance
- Rainbow 100+ Capacitor Replacement Guide
- Rainbow 100 Troubleshooting Guide
- DECmate II Power Supply Service
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Digital Equipment Corporation, User's Service Guide (Rainbow), EK-P100E-SV-001, April 1985, pp. 87 to 88 (File:Rainbow User's Service Guide (EK-P100E-SV-001).pdf). Message numbering on PC100-A and PC100-B.
- ↑ DEC, EK-RB100-TM-001, p. 5-1. DC fan powered from +12 V through the 6-pin connector.
- ↑ Digital Equipment Corporation, Rainbow 100 Technical Manual, EK-PC100-TM-001, May 1984, p. 10-7, Table 10-2 (File:Rainbow 100 Technical Manual (EK-PC100-TM-001).pdf). Fan does not operate.
- ↑ DEC, EK-RB100-TM-001, p. 5-2. AC selector switch warnings.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Digital Equipment Corporation, Rainbow Technical Manual Addendum for Models PC100-A, PC100-B, and Rainbow 100+, EK-RB100-TM-001, December 1984, p. 1-4, Table 1-1 (File:Rainbow Technical Manual Addendum PC100-A PC100-B and 100+ (EK-RB100-TM-001).pdf).
- ↑ DEC, User's Service Guide, EK-P100E-SV-001, pp. 96 to 98, Table A-1. Messages that may occur at power-up with auto-boot selected.
- ↑ DEC, User's Service Guide, EK-P100E-SV-001, pp. 93 to 94. Messages 24 and 25.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 DEC, User's Service Guide, EK-P100E-SV-001, p. 101. Tests 14 to 16, including the Winchester option.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 DEC, User's Service Guide, EK-P100E-SV-001, pp. 111 to 115, Table A-2. Winchester (hard disk) diagnostic error messages.
- ↑ DEC, EK-RB100-TM-001, pp. 1-9 to 1-10, section 1.3.5. RD51 input power.
- ↑ DEC, User's Service Guide, EK-P100E-SV-001, p. 100. Loopback plugs for the PC100-A and PC100-B.
- ↑ DEC, User's Service Guide, EK-P100E-SV-001, pp. 116 to 118, Table A-2. Extended communications option messages.