Sun SPARCstation LX: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
m (update categories) |
m (added hardware information) |
||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
|Batteries = NVRAM chip with integrated battery | |Batteries = NVRAM chip with integrated battery | ||
|Destructive Entry = No | |Destructive Entry = No | ||
}} | |CPU=50 MHz microSPARC}} | ||
The Sun SPARCstation LX (aka sun4/30) is a "lunchbox" style Sun workstation based around the sun4m architecture. | The Sun SPARCstation LX (aka sun4/30) is a "lunchbox" style Sun workstation based around the sun4m architecture. | ||
==Known Issues== | ==Known Issues== | ||
===Machine won't boot and/or throws various firmware errors=== | ===Machine won't boot and/or throws various firmware errors=== | ||
Examples: | Examples: | ||
| Line 31: | Line 29: | ||
Invalid format type in NVRAM | Invalid format type in NVRAM | ||
The IDPROM contents are invalid | The IDPROM contents are invalid | ||
====Causes==== | ====Causes==== | ||
*NVRAM chip battery has failed | *NVRAM chip battery has failed | ||
====Solutions==== | ====Solutions==== | ||
*Replace the NVRAM chip (See below) | *Replace the NVRAM chip (See below) | ||
==Disassembly Notes== | ==Disassembly Notes== | ||
Warnings or tips to disassemble then device | Warnings or tips to disassemble then device | ||
==Original Parts== | ==Original Parts== | ||
===Power Supply=== | ===Power Supply=== | ||
''The power supplies in the "pizza box" and "lunch box" style Sun workstations are notorious for having leaky electrolytic capacitors.'' | ''The power supplies in the "pizza box" and "lunch box" style Sun workstations are notorious for having leaky electrolytic capacitors.'' | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | {| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
|+Capacitor [[Capacitor Specifications|Specifications]] and | |+Capacitor [[Capacitor Specifications|Specifications]] and [[Part Footprints|Footprint]] Information | ||
!RefDes | !RefDes | ||
!Qty | !Qty | ||
| Line 71: | Line 66: | ||
| | | | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Replacement Parts== | ==Replacement Parts== | ||
=== NVRAM Chip === | === NVRAM Chip === | ||
The SPARCstation LX has an NVRAM chip that functions as both NVRAM (system configuration storage) as well as the real time clock. It is a one-chip device that has both the NVRAM as well as a clock battery integrated in the same chip, similar to the Dallas RTC chips used in many x86 PCs. The chip is located at U0707, and is a SGS-Thomson (formerly Mostek) Timekeeper M48T08/18. It may also be referred to as the Mostek MK48T08/18. | The SPARCstation LX has an NVRAM chip that functions as both NVRAM (system configuration storage) as well as the real time clock. It is a one-chip device that has both the NVRAM as well as a clock battery integrated in the same chip, similar to the Dallas RTC chips used in many x86 PCs. The chip is located at U0707, and is a SGS-Thomson (formerly Mostek) Timekeeper M48T08/18. It may also be referred to as the Mostek MK48T08/18. | ||
| Line 80: | Line 73: | ||
Alternatively, a user-replaceable CR1225 coin cell battery can be retrofitted onto an existing NVRAM chip, by cutting off the top of the chip (the portion that contains the battery) and soldering on a PCB containing a new battery. GlitchWorks has designed such a PCB and has released it as Open Source Hardware. Directions can be found on [https://www.glitchwrks.com/2017/08/01/gw-48t02-1 their website], and the PCB design files can be found on the [https://github.com/glitchwrks/gw_48t02_1 Glitchworks Github repository]. | Alternatively, a user-replaceable CR1225 coin cell battery can be retrofitted onto an existing NVRAM chip, by cutting off the top of the chip (the portion that contains the battery) and soldering on a PCB containing a new battery. GlitchWorks has designed such a PCB and has released it as Open Source Hardware. Directions can be found on [https://www.glitchwrks.com/2017/08/01/gw-48t02-1 their website], and the PCB design files can be found on the [https://github.com/glitchwrks/gw_48t02_1 Glitchworks Github repository]. | ||
===Basic PCB Name=== | ===Basic PCB Name=== | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | {| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
| Line 95: | Line 87: | ||
|} | |} | ||
''If parts are not available or different selection is preferred, you can use the values in the [[#Original_Parts|Original Parts]] section to perform a parametric search.'' | ''If parts are not available or different selection is preferred, you can use the values in the [[#Original_Parts|Original Parts]] section to perform a parametric search.'' | ||
===Kits=== | ===Kits=== | ||
*Digikey BOM: https://www.digikey.com/ | *Digikey BOM: https://www.digikey.com/ | ||
==Related Links== | ==Related Links== | ||
*[https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19127-01/sparc.classic/801-2176-13/801-2176-13.pdf Service Manual] | *[https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19127-01/sparc.classic/801-2176-13/801-2176-13.pdf Service Manual] | ||
*[http://www.obsolyte.com/sunFAQ/faq_nvram.html Sun NVRAM/hostid FAQ] - contains additional information about failed NVRAM and how to reconfigure the machine after a NVRAM failure | *[http://www.obsolyte.com/sunFAQ/faq_nvram.html Sun NVRAM/hostid FAQ] - contains additional information about failed NVRAM and how to reconfigure the machine after a NVRAM failure | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
Revision as of 20:31, 3 April 2023
- For more information, see this article's corresponding Wikipedia page: Device.
| This device is in the WorkNeeded:OriginalParts category because it was flagged as missing information on the original parts. It may have replacement parts listed but those cannot be assumed to be identical to the originals. If you have a list of the original parts, please feel free to add them by copying the relevant table from EditorsToolbox:Tables | 
|
| This device is in the WorkNeeded:ReplacementParts category because it was flagged as missing information on replacement parts. If it has the original parts listed you may be able to search for replacements using the parametric searches available from parts distributors. If you have or make a list of replacement parts, please feel free to add them by copying the relevant table from EditorsToolbox:Tables | 
|
| This device is in the WorkNeeded:General category because it was flagged as missing general information about the device. The information may be incomplete, using default text, or inaccurate and should be verified with external sources if possible. If you can add or correct information on this page, please feel free to edit it and do so. | 
|
Sun SPARCstation LX
| Preliminary Information | |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 1992 |
| Leak Risk | High |
| Batteries | NVRAM chip with integrated battery |
| Mounting Technology | Through Hole, SMD |
| Capacitor Types | Aluminum Electrolytic, Tantalum |
| Destructive Entry | No |
| Hardware Specifications | |
| CPU | 50 MHz microSPARC |
The Sun SPARCstation LX (aka sun4/30) is a "lunchbox" style Sun workstation based around the sun4m architecture.
Known Issues
Machine won't boot and/or throws various firmware errors
Examples:
Sun Workstation, Model Sun-XXXXXX Series. ROM Rev X.X, XXMB memory installed ID PROM invalid. Testing 0 Megabytes of Memory ... Completed. ERROR: missing or invalid ID prom Requesting Internet address for 0:0:0:0:0:0
or
Sun Workstation, Model Sun-XXXX Series. Type 4 Keyboard ROM Rev X.X, XXMB memory installed, Serial #16777215 Ethernet address ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff, Host ID ffffffff Invalid format type in NVRAM The IDPROM contents are invalid
Causes
- NVRAM chip battery has failed
Solutions
- Replace the NVRAM chip (See below)
Disassembly Notes
Warnings or tips to disassemble then device
Original Parts
Power Supply
The power supplies in the "pizza box" and "lunch box" style Sun workstations are notorious for having leaky electrolytic capacitors.
| RefDes | Qty | Capacitance | Voltage | Mount | Diameter/Size | Height | Lead Spacing | Temp | Type | Brand | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 µF | 0 °C |
Replacement Parts
NVRAM Chip
The SPARCstation LX has an NVRAM chip that functions as both NVRAM (system configuration storage) as well as the real time clock. It is a one-chip device that has both the NVRAM as well as a clock battery integrated in the same chip, similar to the Dallas RTC chips used in many x86 PCs. The chip is located at U0707, and is a SGS-Thomson (formerly Mostek) Timekeeper M48T08/18. It may also be referred to as the Mostek MK48T08/18.
These chips are still available, however newer versions of this chip (those currently available) will not work. Newer variants of this chip now include a "century" field which the older Sun firmware does not understand. (it will work, but the system will always boot into the lengthy extended diagnostics mode and will not auto-boot.) You must obtain a used or NOS (new old stock) version of this chip.
Alternatively, a user-replaceable CR1225 coin cell battery can be retrofitted onto an existing NVRAM chip, by cutting off the top of the chip (the portion that contains the battery) and soldering on a PCB containing a new battery. GlitchWorks has designed such a PCB and has released it as Open Source Hardware. Directions can be found on their website, and the PCB design files can be found on the Glitchworks Github repository.
Basic PCB Name
| RefDes | Qty | Compatible Part Number | Order Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digikey |
If parts are not available or different selection is preferred, you can use the values in the Original Parts section to perform a parametric search.
Kits
- Digikey BOM: https://www.digikey.com/
Related Links
- Service Manual
- Sun NVRAM/hostid FAQ - contains additional information about failed NVRAM and how to reconfigure the machine after a NVRAM failure