SUMMARY: SPARC Error Messages IDPROM and FPU

From: Conner McCleod (nimrha@hotmail.com)
Date: Sat Dec 04 1999 - 21:21:11 CST


SUMMARY: SPARC Error Messages IDPROM and FPU
sun-managers@sunmanagers.ececs.uc.edu

Thanks guys:
"David Evans" <DJEVANS@au.oracle.com>
Tim Pointing <Tim.Pointing@dciem.dnd.ca>

##########
David posted a complete emails:

After my sig I've attached the Sun FAQ on the FPU. This looks
like a you have an early FPU in your old Sparc 2.

After FPU issue I've attached the Sun document that deals with
the IDPROM issue. The formatting is lost during the cut and paste
but I'm sure you can follow it. It has all the details. This looks
like the motherboard or the NVRAM chip has been replaced at one
point.

Regards,

David

Document ID: 2136

SYNOPSIS: Error message: "FPU Version 2 present but not
supported"

DETAIL DESCRIPTION:

Following the installation of Solaris 2.4 on a number of Sparc
2's, this message is now displayed when booting:

"FPU Version 2 present but not supported"

SOLUTION SUMMARY:

There were two types of FPU used in SS2's, the Weitek 3170 (
used in most machines) and the GNUFPC/TI8847 (used in some early
machines).

In order to enable the FPU on machines with the GNUFPC/TI8847
FPU the line:

set use_4c60_fpu_v2 = 1

has to be added to the /etc/system file.

DATE APPROVED: 06/10/97

KEYWORDS: FPU SS2 Version 2
OS RELEASE: 2.4
SRDB ID: 5312
SYNOPSIS: "idprom: contents are invalid" message when booting

DETAIL DESCRIPTION:
Immediately after issuing a boot command, the following
message appears:

idprom: contents are invalid

The boot process continues until more
messages appear:

invalid format type in nvram
checksum error invalid format error in nvram
invalid format type

SOLUTION SUMMARY:
The nvram needs to be reset.

- halt and power down the system
- power up the system again
- immediately after turning on the
power, hold down the "L1" key and the "n" key
simultaneously.

- once the banner appears, release the L1 and n keys.

This will set the nvram contents to their original state. Any modifications
to the nvram (such as any
nvedits) will have to be done over again. If the problem persists after
resetting the
nvram, the CPU will have to be replaced.

BUG REPORT ID: n/a
PATCH ID: n/a
PRODUCT AREA: n/a
PRODUCT: booting
SUNOS RELEASE: any
UNBUNDLED RELEASE: n/a
HARDWARE: All

############
Tim provided the following helpful site and posting:

[Having just gone through this, it is fresh in my mind!!]

It looks to me like the battery in your IDPROM / NVRAM is dead
or on its last legs. Have a look at the following for assistance:

http://www.squirrel.com/squirrel/sun-nvram-hostid.faq.html

##############
ORIGINAL POSTING:
From: "Conner McCleod" <nimrha@hotmail.com>
To: sun-managers@sunmanagers.ececs.uc.edu
Subject: SPARC Error Messages IDPROM and FPU
Date: 03 Dec 1999 03:44:50

SPARC2 / Solaris 7

When booting an old SPARC2 I get these errors:

FPU version 2 persent but not supported
The IDPROM contents are invalid

Anyone knows what these messages mean?!

Conner McCleod

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