On Tue, Sep 18, 2001 at 10:48:57AM -0500, Matt Thoren wrote:
> I am wondering if anyone has experience with loading firmware on an
> alpha 800
> 
> I get to the bios, have downloaded the firmware update to cdrom, but the
> upgrade to
> for the alpha won't detect the firmware on the cd.
> 
> Any help would be appreciated.

Not on an 800 specifically, but on an XL300 and AlphaStation 4/100.
I recall that you have to be careful that the firmware gets the correct
name.  When you say firmware, are you trying to upgrade PALcode or the
console monitor?  

There is no "BIOS" per se -- it's a <flamebait> _real_ ;) </flamebait> 
computer.  That said, there are three different consoles, ARC, SRM, and 
"AlphaBIOS" (intended for machines running NT).  SRM is for running VMS,
but ARC or AlphaBIOS should work for Linux.  

You may need to update the
console software before you can load the correct PALcode, but I haven't 
re-booted my Debian Alpha machine in so long that I forgot if PALcode is
loaded in the bootstrap loader, or if it's firmware.  If you need help
changing the console software, I've done that before on trickier machines,
but think that the 800 is an easy one.

I have the Digital/(Compaq) firmware CD-ROM -- think it's got the latest 
greatest for an 800 -- if you want to borrow it or bring your box over.

Let me know if I can be of help.

Best,
Phil Mendelsohn

-- 
I used to like HP before computers, and once I even liked Compaq,
but I liked DEC better than HP and Compaq put together.