ERS/FT II - Frequently Asked Questions

ERS/FT II
Frequently Asked Questions

Q01: Why don't I see any video on my new BC card?

A01: For a board to be recognized it must be connected to a channel on the multiplexor. Valid configurations are stored in battery backed CMOS memory in the mux. The ERS/FT II will boot using the configuration stored in CMOS. To force the ERS/FT II to rebuild the auto configuration, press the BC Group Up push-button during the Five second countdown when power is applied to the drawer. Release the button after approximately 10 seconds.

Q02: How do I determine my backplane configuration?

A02: The backplane configuration determines the number of slots that are included in each group. Only ISA style backplanes may be configured. A group of sixteen green LEDs is located on the top bracket of the multiplexor panel. Each LED is aligned with the slot it represents. When a particular group is selected you'll notice the corresponding LEDs will be on and pulse every two to three seconds. If a shunt board is installed the corresponding amber LED will be on. A shunt is a small board (approx. 6" x 3/4") that is installed between each group of ISA slots. When installed the shunt board joins the two groups together.

Q03: What is the Custom Channel and how is it configured?

A03: The custom channel allows a QL Series processor to connect to the muxed devices for installation and troubleshooting purposes. If required, switch 5 of the option DIP switch must be down (enabled). When selecting groups with the BC group push-buttons, the letter "C" is displayed on the front panel for the custom channel.

Q04: Why can't I access my floppy drive?

A04: Each processor shares the floppy drive via the multiplexor. Verify the CMOS of your BC processor has a floppy drive selected. Check the cable is installed and seated properly. Pin #1 (red stripe) on the floppy I/F cable is pointing up when connected to the back of the multiplexor. On the back of each processor board pin #1 is identified by a square solder connection. Verify the I/F cable from the drive to the multiplexor is seated properly. Pin #1 on the multiplexor (location J30) is facing down and pin #1 on the floppy drive is next to the power connector. Check the fuse on the backplane. Replace drive if necessary.

Q05: What does the Environmental Alert & Data Highway LED indicate?

A05: The BC supervisor running BC Vision monitors parameters such as power supplies, line voltage and fuses. When the supervisor detects a parameter out of limits the environmental LED will be amber. The specific alarm will be reported to the BC Supervisor. The data highway LED will remain amber until the BC Supervisor loads and detects the address.

Q06: Why can't I see my hard drive?

A06: On the backplane each group has it's own drive power connector associated with that group. Verify the cable is connected to it's correct group. Verify the I/F cabling is correct and that CMOS is able to do an auto detect on the drive. If auto detect fails or is not an option enter the parameters manually and try again. Replace the cable. Try the drive on another processor. Does FDISK see the drive? Are you able to do a Format?

Q07: Why do I lose my mouse when I mux between groups?

A07: Each time a group is selected the mouse is reset. Give the mouse a couple of seconds to reset before proceeding. Avoid moving the mouse when switching between groups. Verify that the VHOTFIX.386 device driver is installed in the Windows SYSTEM.INI file for Windows 3.11. The mouse interrupt (IRQ 12) must be enabled in the hardware configuration (switch setting on the processor). Also check that the "Mouse Support Option" in the Advanced CMOS Setup section of the BIOS setup Utilities is "Enabled." Use a Logitech PS/2 type mouse. For DOS & Windows 3.11 a mouse driver must be loaded first in DOS.

Q08: What do I do when the front panel displays an error code?

A08: Diagnostic test are performed every time the ERS/FT II subsystem is powered on. If an error is detected, an error code is displayed using the three digit display on the front panel as follows: the letter "E", indicating an error, is displayed as the BC Group; the first hexadecimal digit of the error code will be displayed as the Multiport Board; and the second hexadecimal digit of the error code will be displayed as the MP Serial Port. Refer to section 5 of the Series II Subsystems manual for error code definitions.

Q09:What is the "Electronic Over-current Protection?"

A09: Available with ISA 8 x 2 backplanes the electronic over-current protection uses circuits designed as circuit breakers to protect each slot group segment from an over-current. Rather than fusing each slot.

Q10: Why does my drawer make an audible alarm?

A10: If an environmental alarm occurs in the ERS/FT II, the alarm will cause the speaker to sound in addition to illuminating the appropriate LED on the front panel. The speaker will continue to sound until the alarm clears or the Audible Clear push-button is pressed.

More Information

Tell me more about the ERS/FT II

Show me the front panel controls on the ERS II

Show me how to reset or power on/off a BC processor in a ERS II