===== AlphaPC 64 ===== ^ AlphaPC 64 ^^ ^ Codename | Cabriolet | ^ CPU | [[wp>Alpha_21064#Alpha_21064A|21064A]] (EV45), 200 to 275 MHz | ^ Core logic | [[hardware:chipsets#21071_and_21072|21072]] (APECS) | ^ Memory | 8 SIMM slots, parity FPM DRAM, up to 512 MiB | ^ Buses | 32-bit PCI, ISA | ^ Form factor | Baby AT | ^ Onboard I/O | IDE, floppy, 2 serial, parallel, keyboard, mouse | ^ Firmware | ARC (last 4.49-7), SRM (last V4.8), MILO | ^ Kernel option | ''CONFIG_ALPHA_CABRIOLET'' | ^ Linux | Linux 6.9 and earlier | The AlphaPC 64 (code name Cabriolet) is a motherboard released by Digital in 1995. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2000-February.mbox#L6964|"Re: Weird Lockups II"]], Richard Henderson, debian-alpha, 20 Feb 2000)] It was also sold as the Alpha PCI64-275 (part number EBP30-AN). [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-March.mbox#L4140|"Re: distributors, etc."]], Stephen J. Gaudet, axp-list, 4 Mar 1998)] The AlphaPC 64 was derived from the [[hardware:motherboards:eb64plus|EB64+]], and Linux treats it as a variant of that board, so the names Cabriolet, AlphaPC64, PCI64, and EB64+ are often used interchangeably. They are different boards, however: the AlphaPC 64 is a slightly modified baby AT board whose mounting holes are offset from the standard positions. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-December.mbox#L37647|"Re: Memory on my new Alpha PCI64-275"]], John Anstreicher, axp-list, 16 Dec 1998)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-December.mbox#L888|"Re: power supply w/3.3v connectors"]], John Anstreicher, axp-list, 30 Nov 1998)] ==== Specifications ==== * Alpha 21064A CPU at 200, 233, or 275 MHz in a ZIF socket [(>{{wiki:hardware:motherboards:pc64:pc64_motherboard_user_manual.pdf?linkonly|AlphaPC64 Motherboard User's Manual}})] * 512 KiB, 2 MiB, or 8 MiB external L2 cache on 2x cache SIMMs * DECchip 21072 chipset (21071-CA cache/memory controller, 4x 21071-BA data path, 21071-DA PCI bridge) * 8x 36-bit DRAM SIMMs in 2 banks, supports 16 MiB to 512 MiB with parity, 128-bit data path * 4x 32-bit 33 MHz PCI slots and 3x ISA slots (6 total, 1 slot shared between PCI and ISA) * Intel 82378ZB SIO PCI-to-ISA bridge * National 87312 Super I/O controller providing floppy, IDE, 2x serial ports, and parallel port * Intel 8242 PS/2 keyboard and mouse controller * Dallas Semiconductor DS1287 time-of-year clock * 1 MiB flash ROM containing Windows NT ARC firmware and debug monitor * Baby AT board, 33.0 cm x 22.1 cm [(>{{wiki:hardware:motherboards:pc64:pc64_motherboard_user_manual.pdf?linkonly|AlphaPC64 Motherboard User's Manual}}, p. 1-9)] The keyboard and mouse connectors are placed together where an AT case normally has only the keyboard connector, so the opening in a standard AT case must be enlarged. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-December.mbox#L21001|"RE: questions about the Cabriolet"]], Maurice Hilarius, axp-list, 9 Dec 1998)] ==== Memory ==== The board takes 72-pin 36-bit true parity SIMMs, installed in banks of four. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-December.mbox#L19972|"Re: questions about the Cabriolet"]], Maurice Hilarius, axp-list, 9 Dec 1998)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-December.mbox#L22939|"Re: Cabriolet"]], glenn murphy, axp-list, 9 Dec 1998)] ==== Cache ==== The L2 cache is built from two cache SIMMs, and both are required. The SIMMs available when the manual was written were 512 KiB with 15 ns SRAMs and 2 MiB with 12 ns SRAMs; the board also supports 8 MiB SIMMs. [(>{{wiki:hardware:motherboards:pc64:pc64_motherboard_user_manual.pdf?linkonly|AlphaPC64 Motherboard User's Manual}}, pp. 1-4, 1-5)] ==== Power supply ==== The AlphaPC 64 does not use a standard AT or ATX power supply. It requires an AT power supply with two additional 6-pin connectors (often labeled P9 to P12), each carrying three +3.3 V and three ground pins, in addition to the usual +5 V, +12 V, -5 V, and -12 V. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-December.mbox#L21001|"RE: questions about the Cabriolet"]], Maurice Hilarius, axp-list, 9 Dec 1998)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-December.mbox#L22939|"Re: Cabriolet"]], glenn murphy, axp-list, 9 Dec 1998)] On the board, the +3.3 V connectors are J27 and J28. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1999-January.mbox#L18323|"Re: More Newbie crap!"]], Maurice Hilarius, axp-list, 9 Jan 1999)] ==== Firmware ==== The flash ROM is large enough to hold both the ARC and SRM consoles at the same time, allowing Windows NT and Linux to be booted from ARC and Digital UNIX from SRM. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1997-May.mbox#L9521|"Re: Maxtor SCSI Drives and a UDB"]], Stephen J. Gaudet, axp-list, 7 May 1997)] Selecting Digital UNIX from the ARC "Machine Specific Setup" menu and power cycling switches to SRM; setting the SRM ''os_type'' variable to ''NT'' and power cycling switches back. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1999-November.mbox#L28390|"Re: FW: True64 on Cabriolet"]], Bob Palladino, axp-list, 12 Nov 1999)] * **ARC:** the last version is 4.49-7. It is updated with ''fwupdate.exe'' via "Install new firmware" in the firmware's Supplementary Menu. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-August.mbox#L10567|"help with firmware file"]], dca2, axp-list, 5 Aug 1998)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/1999-July.mbox#L4802|"Re: firmware upgrade?"]], Phil Oleson, debian-alpha, 23 Jul 1999)] * **SRM:** the last version is 4.8 (V4.8-1, dated 20 Feb 1997). [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/1999-July.mbox#L4802|"Re: firmware upgrade?"]], Phil Oleson, debian-alpha, 23 Jul 1999)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1999-November.mbox#L28390|"Re: FW: True64 on Cabriolet"]], Bob Palladino, axp-list, 12 Nov 1999)] SRM was originally available only as part of DEC's evaluation board software development kit, but in December 1999 Compaq made the image freely available. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1999-December.mbox#L6991|"[eric@cirr.com: SRM firmware now available for AlphaPC64]"]], Greg Johnson, axp-list, 3 Dec 1999)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2000-January.mbox#L2208|"Re: Alpha Motherboards SDK"]], Robert Maynard Rhyu, axp-list, 3 Jan 2000)] * **MILO** can be loaded from ARC with ''linload.exe'', or by renaming the MILO image to ''fwupdate.exe'' and using the ARC firmware update option. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1996-April.mbox#L6752|"RE: cabriolet and RedHAt 2.1 AXP"]], David Rusling, axp-list, 15 Apr 1996)] Flashing MILO can overwrite the SRM console. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1999-October.mbox#L15313|"Cabriolet SRM firmware"]], Ryan D. Schaefer, axp-list, 11 Oct 1999)] Recovering from corrupted flash is difficult: unlike the UDB, there is no floppy-based fail-safe loader. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1996-November.mbox#L31744|"Re: FMU.GZ crashing"]], David Mosberger-Tang, axp-list, 17 Nov 1996)] ==== Linux ==== Linux 6.9 was the last version to support the AlphaPC 64; Linux 6.10 removed support for processors older than the EV56 (21164A). [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/torvalds/c/a4184174be36|"alpha: drop pre-EV56 support"]], Linux 6.10)] Kernels up to 6.9 support it with ''CONFIG_ALPHA_CABRIOLET'' or a generic kernel. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/arch/alpha/Kconfig?h=v6.9|arch/alpha/Kconfig]], Linux 6.9)] Both SRM (with aboot) and ARC (with MILO) can boot Linux. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2002-June.mbox#L12427|"Re: RedHat 7.2 Linux for Alpha"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 11 Jun 2002)] The MILO image is named ''cabrio'' or ''cabriolet''; images for other boards do not work. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-March.mbox#L30004|"Re: AlphaServer 800"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 25 Mar 1998)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1996-April.mbox#L6738|"RE: DIGITAL PC64 with 64MB and Linux 2.1 REDHAT"]], David Rusling, axp-list, 15 Apr 1996)] In kernels up to 6.9, the onboard devices use these drivers: * IDE (PC87312): the interface is not a PCI device, so it is handled by ''pata_legacy'', which probes the legacy ports at 0x1F0 and 0x170 when no PCI controller claims them. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/ata/pata_legacy.c?h=v6.9|drivers/ata/pata_legacy.c]], Linux 6.9)] No Linux driver was written to use more than PIO modes on the PC87312. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2000-January.mbox#L27608|"Re: EB164 onboard IDE characteristics"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 19 Jan 2000)] * Serial ports: ''8250'', at the standard PC addresses listed in the Alpha serial port table. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/arch/alpha/include/asm/serial.h?h=v6.9|arch/alpha/include/asm/serial.h]], Linux 6.9)] * Parallel port: ''parport_pc''; floppy: ''floppy''; keyboard and mouse: ''i8042''. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/parport/parport_pc.c?h=v6.9|drivers/parport/parport_pc.c]], Linux 6.9)] [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/block/floppy.c?h=v6.9|drivers/block/floppy.c]], Linux 6.9)] [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/input/serio/i8042.c?h=v6.9|drivers/input/serio/i8042.c]], Linux 6.9)] ==== Known issues ==== * **SCSI boot:** the board has no onboard SCSI. SRM 4.8 boots only from NCR 53C810 and QLogic ISP1020 adapters, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2000-January.mbox#L18434|"Re: (pc64-275) SRM v4.8 SCSI controllers"]], Robert Parnell, axp-list, 12 Jan 2000)] and ARC from few SCSI adapters: Intraserver 3140U-N and 4140UE-N cards are reported to work, and the Diamond Fireport40, BusLogic BT958, and Adaptec 2940 not to. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-December.mbox#L21001|"RE: questions about the Cabriolet"]], Maurice Hilarius, axp-list, 9 Dec 1998)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1999-March.mbox#L69662|"Re: XP1000 and Linux"]], Maurice Hilarius, axp-list, 23 Mar 1999)] * **Clock battery:** the Dallas DS1287 time-of-year clock contains a sealed lithium cell that keeps the clock and its RAM running without power, [(>{{wiki:hardware:motherboards:pc64:pc64_evaluation_board_user_guide.pdf?linkonly|AlphaPC64 Evaluation Board User's Guide}}, p. 3-37)] so the chip itself must be replaced once the cell is exhausted. For a replacement part, see [[hardware:motherboards:axppci33#known_issues|AXPpci 33: Known issues]]. See also [[hardware:systems#common_problems|Systems: Common problems]]. ==== Documentation ==== ^ Document ^ Part number ^ Date ^ | {{wiki:hardware:motherboards:pc64:pc64_motherboard_user_manual.pdf?linkonly|AlphaPC64 Motherboard User's Manual}} | EC-QLJKB-TE | July 1995 | | {{wiki:hardware:motherboards:pc64:pc64_evaluation_board_user_guide.pdf?linkonly|AlphaPC64 Evaluation Board User's Guide}} | EC-QGY2C-TE | July 1995 | {{tag>hardware motherboard 21064 digital}}