e i g h t - c u b e d . c o m 

More hardware problems

Seems my computer hardware problems are going to come in a set of three. Firstly, the linux box had a memory controller issue. And now last night my trusty Digital AlphaServer 800 5/400, which I have owned since about 2001, has crashed with a reported b-cache error.

As I've said, I've owned this machine since around 2001, and it's even older, celebrating it's 14th birthday this year (the CPU card has a manufacturing date on it). And all the time I've owned it, this is the first issue it's had.

After a momentary panic when I realised that all my python scripts and the related data files are on this machine and I had no way to get at them, I sat down and started working through the standard troubleshooting methodology. I reseated the CPU daughter card and vacuumed everything out, but no joy. Then, after reading the AS800 Service Manual, I came across the interesting fact that you can disable b-cache with a jumper on the daughter card.

I've done that and at least the machine now boots.

I have a query in to a reseller to see if he has a replacement card.

With the "rule of three", I expect the Windows box to crap out next...