| Title: | DECstation PC Conference | 
| Notice: | register note 2, see notes 3 & 4 | 
| Moderator: | TARKIN::LIN IND | 
| Created: | Tue Jan 10 1989 | 
| Last Modified: | Fri Jun 06 1997 | 
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 | 
| Number of topics: | 7470 | 
| Total number of notes: | 34994 | 
    
    
    Well, I've managed to come up with another blast from the past.  A
    DECstation 33sx has been donated to a Boy Scout troop.  The problem
    with it is that someone set the boot up password.  When I run the CMOS
    setup, it tells me to change it leaving the new password a null. 
    You've probably guessed the problem NO ONE - knows the password.  The
    donor had the system sitting around for ages.  I tried the few possible
    ones they thought it might be, and I tried a few of my own (password,
    prowssap, etc).
    
    I powered the beast down, removed the battery, and removed the power
    feed plugs for a couple of days, and it still is asking for the
    password. 
    
    I talked to our local service organization and they don't have docs on
    it.  But we are all in agreement that there should be a board jumper or
    something that will nullify the password check.
    
    Do any of you out there have any ideas on which jumpers to move, pins
    to short, etc.
    
    regards,
    
    b.t.
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7408.1 | TARKIN::LIN | Bill Lin | Wed Apr 09 1997 19:11 | 6 | |
|     re: 35772::TOKAR
    
    I can't tell which machine you have from "DECstation 33sx."  Is there a
    character missing?  486?  386?  Any FR-xxxxx part number?
    
    /Bill
 | |||||
| 7408.2 | Discharge!! | ACISS2::WILLIAMS | Thu Apr 10 1997 17:28 | 18 | |
|     B.T.
    
    If this is a DECStation 333sx, TANDY machine, then what you need to do
    is unplug the battery, then take a pair of heimastadts or long needle
    nose pliers and short out all of the surface mount capacitors in the
    area of the battery.  This should be around 2 or 3.  The caps are
    labelled Cx (x being a number).  Hold the tip of the plier on each end
    of the component gently for about 5 seconds. 
    
    What this does is discharge the caps so that they cannot retain the
    setup features (including the password).  One note of caution, have a
    set-up disk available, for you will have to reload the set-ups.  Set-up
    disks are available on the BBS if you can't find one. 
    
    
    Good luck 
    
    D.Williams
 | |||||
| 7408.3 | Success!!!! | 35772::TOKAR | klignon by choice | Fri Apr 11 1997 14:20 | 5 | 
|     
    Thanks - the discharge method  worked.  I now have a working system.
    
    
    b.t.
 | |||||
| 7408.4 | ZaaaaapppppPPPPP! | BSS::PROCTOR_R | PC....Politically Corrupt | Fri Apr 11 1997 15:43 | 5 | 
|     >  Thanks - the discharge method  worked.  I now have a working system.
    
    Yep, a good discharge works for me *every time*.
    
    *8)
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