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AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #TB-0342 11/19/8
AST-5251/12 TROUBLESHOOTING
This technical bulletin is written as a guide for trouble-
shooting the AST-5251/12 software versions 4.0 and up.
I. THINGS TO CHECK BEFORE RUNNING EMULATION
A. Computer Checks
1. DOS 3.20 has been known to cause problems, try to
stay away from using it. DOS 2.1-3.1 and 3.3 works
well.
2. What kind of PC?
a. IBM PC, XT and compatibles (using 8088 or 8086
processors) - If a hard disk exists, IRQ5 and I/O
address range 320-32F cannot be used.
b. AT and AT compatibles (using 80286 processors) -
IRQ5 is used by second parallel port (LPT2), if
existent.
c. Some clone computers might not work with AST's
emulation board. Try changing IRQ's and I/O
addresses.
3. How much memory does the computer have?
a. Need 256K minimum for emulation.
b. Need 512K minimum for emulation with file
transfer.
c. Need over 256K to run CFG5251.EXE for DOS
versions 3.0 and up.
4. What does the computer have?
a. If the computer has a serial port utilizing COM1,
IRQ4 cannot be used.
b. If the computer has a serial port utilizing COM2,
IRQ3 cannot be used.
c. Some real time clocks may use IRQ2.
d. If the computer has a hard disk, I/O address
range 320-32F and IRQ5 cannot be used (does not
apply to AT or AT compatibles).
B. AST-5251/12 Emulation Board Check
1. Ensure no other board or device is using the IRQ and
I/O address of the 5251/12 board. Change these
switches and corresponding software configurations if
a conflict is encountered.
2. DTE mode: (going through a modem)
a. Ensure the shunts on the top-right corner of the
board are on positions U25 and U27.
b. Make sure the "shorting plugs" (jumpers) on the
board are on pins 1 and 3 (8 is not necessary).
c. If an IBM, UDS or AT&T modem is used, some hardware
modifications must be made. Remove the shunt from
position U25 and bend pins (legs) 3 and 6 on the
top row so that they will not make contact with the
board when put back.
d. The baud speed jumper is not used and does not have
to be set.
3. DCE mode: (no modem used)
a. Ensure the shunts on the top-right corner of the
board are on positions U26 and U28.
b. Make sure the "shorting plugs" on the board are on
pins 2 and 4 (8 is not necessary).
c. Select the baud speed with the baud rate jumper.
C. CFG5251 Configuration Program Check
1. If PC Support or PC FSU is being used, make sure IBM-
API is ON.
2. Ensure the hardware configurations in CFG5251
HARDWARE, corresponds to the actual hardware settings.
3. Ensure the NRZI and SDLC settings match the host's
configurations.
4. Select the correct BPS (baud per second) speed for the
specific modem being used.
5. If using a color monitor change DSP_ADAPTER type to
COLOR, NOSNOW.
6. Ensure correct station address(s) is set in the
STATION option. Address 0 must be a 5251/12 on both
the PC and host (cannot be defined as a 5294
controller). If other sessions are being used, the
device type must match the device type configured on
the host.
7. If using a printer other than an EPSON, IBM, NEC, or
DIABLO, the correct hex codes must be entered in the
OPTIMIZATION option. These codes can be found in the
manual for the specific printer.
D. Miscellaneous Check
1. DTE and DCE mode
a. Make sure modems being used are synchronous.
b. Ensure RS-232C is a 25 pin straight through cable
(must have at least 11 conductors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 15, 17, 20).
II. THINGS TO CHECK WHILE TRYING TO BRING UP EMULATION
A. Computer Locks Up As KERNEL Or APS Is Running
1. IRQ conflict. Resolve conflict by changing IRQ on
CC-432 or removing device that is conflicting with the
emulation board. Could also be an I/O address
conflict.
2. Delete AST5251.CFG file and create a new one.
3. Run emulation from floppy if currently using hard
disk; copied files might be corrupted.
B. Goes Through KERNEL and APS But No SA (System Available)
1. Check cable and connections between modem (DTE mode)
or host (DCE mode) and PC. Make sure all necessary
pins exist. Use a cable that has been verified to be
good. If no other cable is accessible, use a
continuity test to check connections.
2. Check that the session(s) defined in the CFG5251
program matches host configurations. The host must be
IPL'ed after changing configuration to make changes
valid.
3. Ensure the modems are good by having them tested or
use a modem that has been verified as working.
C. Gets SA (System Available) But No Sign On Screen.
1. Ensure all error messages on the system console have
been responded to.
2. Ensure device type of PC matches host. Cannot be
configured as a 5294 controller nor address 0 as a
printer.
3. Press <Shift><F1>-<Caps Lock> for regular keyboards
(83/84 keys), or <Shift><Esc>-<Bottom Right Ctrl> for
enhanced keyboards (101/102 keys).
III. HINTS FOR ISOLATING PROBLEMS
A. Have only the AST-5251/12 board and the boards absolutely
necessary (monitor and disk controller) in the PC. This
will give a good indication of whether the board is good
or not, and whether the board is compatible with the
specific computer.
B. Have the customer dial into AST's System/36 to see if the
computer and modems are configured properly and working.
If able to sign on to our system, the computer, modem,
cable and emulation card is good and the problem lies in
the customers host system. If customer was not able to
sign on, there is a problem on the customers site, either
with configurations, modem, cable, a bad board, or a bad
computer.
C. Swapping devices: PC's, boards, modems, cables and any
other device that may affect the workability of the
emulation board is very useful for finding the source of
a problem.
IV. PROBLEMS WHILE EMULATION IS RUNNING
A. "Error Reset" key does not function. Keep Error Reset
key down for 3 seconds.
B. Transferring enhanced keyboard file.
1. Put copy of diskette 2 of 2 into drive A.
2. Run ASTKBD from drive A.
3. Select desired path.
4. Select keyboard file UNITED_S.ENH.
C. Printer prints but not in correct format (i.e., extra
line-feeds, compressed mode ...)
1. Enter correct printer hex codes for LINES/INCH,
CHAR/INCH, RESET and VMI (vertical motion index) under
the OPTIMIZATION option in CFG5251. These codes are
found in the printer manual for the specific printer.
D. Snow on color monitor screen. Change DSP_ADAPTER type to
COLOR, NOSNOW.
E. Sign on screen is very dim.
1. Change DSP_ADAPTER type to COLOR COMPOSITE, NOSNOW.
2. If computer is an AT&T 6300 or PS/2 model 30 change
DSP_ADAPTER to COLOR COMPOSITE, NOSNOW and give
display ATTRIBUTE fix (attached). This fix could also
correct dim display problems for other computer types.
F. Other sessions defined in the CFG5251 do not come up.
Check Host's configurations to make sure the specified
sessions are configured as display stations.
Session 00, port 0 is work station address 0 in CFG5251
Session 00, port 1 is work station address 2 in CFG5251
Session 00, port 2 is work station address 3 in CFG5251
Session 00, port 3 is 4 ... etc.