===== Personal Workstation a-series and au-series (Miata) ===== ^ Personal Workstation a-series and au-series ^^ ^ Codename | Miata, Miata GL | ^ CPU | [[wp>Alpha_21164#Alpha_21164A|21164A]] (EV56) | ^ Core logic | [[hardware:chipsets#21174|21174]] (Pyxis) | ^ Memory | Up to 1.5 GiB, three DIMM banks (six slots) | ^ Buses | 64-bit and 32-bit PCI, ISA | ^ Firmware | SRM (last V7.2-1), AlphaBIOS | ^ Kernel option | ''CONFIG_ALPHA_MIATA'' | ^ Linux | Supported | The Personal Workstation (PWS) series was code-named Miata. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1997-June.mbox#L4503|"Re: Personal Workstation 433a"]], Jim Paradis, axp-list, 3 Jun 1997)] The a-series models run Windows NT and the au-series Tru64 UNIX and OpenVMS; the models are named for their clock speed, such as the 433a, 500a, 500au, and 600au. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_a_au_series_catalog.pdf?linkonly|Compaq DPW Enhanced a-Series & au-Series}}, Systems and Options Catalog, September 2000, p. 1)] All Miata systems use the EV56 (21164A); none were built with the EV5. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-April.mbox#L1885|"Re: 2.1.92 and PWS 433a (21164 CPU, not 21164A!)"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 2 Apr 1998)] ==== Specifications ==== The following describes the later "Enhanced" 500 and 600 MHz models. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_a_au_series_catalog.pdf?linkonly|Compaq DPW Enhanced a-Series & au-Series}}, Systems and Options Catalog, September 2000, p. 1)] * 500 or 600 MHz [[wp>Alpha_21164#Alpha_21164A|21164A]] with an optional 4 MiB cache * 21174 (Pyxis) core logic, the same as on the [[hardware:motherboards:pc164lx|164LX]], [[hardware:motherboards:pc164sx|164SX]], and [[hardware:motherboards:pc164ux|164UX]] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-August.mbox#L34900|"Re: PWS-500a ext cache question..."]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 13 Aug 1998)] * Three DIMM banks (six slots), 1.5 GiB maximum * Five I/O slots: two PCI and three PCI/ISA. The two 64-bit PCI slots are in front of a built-in PCI-to-PCI bridge, and the remaining three 32-bit slots are behind it [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-August.mbox#L34900|"Re: PWS-500a ext cache question..."]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 13 Aug 1998)] * Onboard QLogic Wide UltraSCSI adapter (on the Enhanced models only, see below) * Onboard 16-bit audio, an ES1888 compatible with the Sound Blaster Pro, not supported under OpenVMS [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-July.mbox#L23336|"Re: Sound on Miata (PWS500a)"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 9 Jul 1998)] * 10/100BaseT Ethernet, twisted pair, with ThinWire optional * Short tower with six storage bays: two 3.5-inch disk bays, a floppy bay, a dedicated 5.25-inch CD-ROM bay, and two further removable media bays * 300 W power supply The first user manual, from October 1996, describes the same chassis with 10Base2 Ethernet (10BaseT optional), a different mix of five option slots, and the CPU in a ZIF socket. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_alpha_user_information.pdf?linkonly|Personal Workstation (Alpha) User Information}}, EK-ALMIA-UI.A01, October 1996, pp. 2-1, 2-9)] The cache is a customer-installable option; the 433 a-series cache kit is a single 2 MiB module. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_433a_cache_memory_installation_guide.pdf?linkonly|Personal Workstation 433 a-Series System Cache Memory Installation Guide}}, EK-ALMIA-CU.A01, March 1997, p. 1)] The a-series and au-series differ mainly in firmware and SCSI adapter. The original Classic (MX5) boards have no onboard SCSI; on them the a-series has an Adaptec card and the au-series a QLogic ISP1040A card, the KZPBA-CA. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-unix-osf-misc-mbox/googlegroups-1999-February.mbox#L917|"Re: PWS 433a -> 433au"]], James W. Caldwell, comp.unix.osf.misc, 24 Feb 1999)] === Generations === There are two generations of the Miata: the original MX5, with a CMD646 IDE controller, and the later Miata GL, with a Cypress 82C693 IDE controller. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2003-January.mbox#L9612|"Re: IDE disk problems with RH7.2 on DPW500a"]], Magnus Lindstrom, axp-list, 22 Jan 2003)] The Miata GL also has an onboard QLogic SCSI controller, although the model numbers do not indicate which generation a system is. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1999-December.mbox#L22318|"Re: Can someone check the specs of this machine?"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 11 Dec 1999)] Compaq's catalog calls the later models "Enhanced" and the earlier ones "Classic Digital Personal Workstations (DPW without onboard SCSI)"; a classic machine could be upgraded to an enhanced one with a new motherboard and riser. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_a_au_series_catalog.pdf?linkonly|Compaq DPW Enhanced a-Series & au-Series}}, Systems and Options Catalog, September 2000, p. 8)] ==== Firmware ==== The flash holds both SRM and AlphaBIOS. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2005-June.mbox#L4706|"Re: PWS AlphaBIOS to SRM"]], Jay Estabrook, debian-alpha, 9 Jun 2005)] The last SRM version is V7.2-1 (see [[software:firmware:srm#final_versions|Final versions]]). Some firmware versions, including 5.1, are strict in identifying PCI devices and may not accept every revision of a retail QLA1040 as a KZPBA-CA. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-unix-osf-misc-mbox/googlegroups-1999-February.mbox#L997|"Re: PWS 433a -> 433au"]], Serguei Patchkovskii, comp.unix.osf.misc, 25 Feb 1999)] ==== Linux ==== Current kernels support the Personal Workstation, with ''CONFIG_ALPHA_MIATA'' or a generic kernel, booted from the SRM console with [[software:boot_loaders:aboot|aboot]]. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/arch/alpha/Kconfig?h=v7.3-rc1|arch/alpha/Kconfig]], Linux 7.3)] * The CMD646 IDE controller of the MX5 uses the ''pata_cmd64x'' driver, and the Cypress 82C693 of the Miata GL ''pata_cypress''. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/ata/pata_cmd64x.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/ata/pata_cmd64x.c]], Linux 7.3)] [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/ata/pata_cypress.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/ata/pata_cypress.c]], Linux 7.3)] * The onboard QLogic SCSI controller uses the ''qla1280'' driver, which loads its firmware from ''linux-firmware''. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/scsi/qla1280.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/scsi/qla1280.c]], Linux 7.3)] * The kernel initializes the ES1888 sound chip at boot. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/arch/alpha/kernel/sys_miata.c?h=v7.3-rc1|arch/alpha/kernel/sys_miata.c]], Linux 7.3)] The ES1888 is handled by the ALSA ''snd-es18xx'' driver. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/sound/isa/es18xx.c?h=v7.3-rc1|sound/isa/es18xx.c]], Linux 7.3)] * The graphics options in Compaq's catalog were the ELSA GLoria Synergy, the PowerStorm 300 and 350, and the PowerStorm 4D51T; [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_a_au_series_catalog.pdf?linkonly|Compaq DPW Enhanced a-Series & au-Series}}, Systems and Options Catalog, September 2000, p. 6)] which of them Linux drives is listed under [[hardware:other#graphics|Other Hardware: Graphics]]. * For a serial console on COM1, see [[documentation:srm#serial_console|Using the SRM Console: Serial console]]. ==== Known issues ==== * **DMA bug:** on early MX5 boards the 21174 corrupts DMA transfers that cross a page boundary on the primary PCI bus, where the onboard IDE controller sits. The workaround is an add-on IDE controller in a free 32-bit PCI slot rather than a 64-bit slot. Miata GL boards carry a factory hardware fix. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2003-January.mbox#L9612|"Re: IDE disk problems with RH7.2 on DPW500a"]], Magnus Lindstrom, axp-list, 22 Jan 2003)] See also [[hardware:other#personal_workstation_64-bit_slots|Personal Workstation 64-bit Slots]]. * **Battery:** the console settings are kept by a CR2032 coin cell. When it dies, the machine starts in AlphaBIOS instead of SRM, and the console settings must be entered again; see [[software:firmware:arc#switching_to_srm|Switching to SRM]]. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2001-September.mbox#L19901|"RE: Alpha a-series work station install"]], Tom Linden, axp-list, 25 Sep 2001)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-sys-dec-mbox/googlegroups-2002-November.mbox#L347|"Re: PW 500au boot problem"]], ICUSC, comp.sys.dec, 15 Nov 2002)] * **Power supply:** the 300 W supply is a standard ATX unit, and easy to replace. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-os-linux-alpha-mbox/googlegroups-2006-April.mbox#L969|"Re: Compaq XP1000 powering off"]], thursday@allidaho.com, comp.os.linux.alpha, 18 Apr 2006)] The system is quiet enough for use on a desk. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2008-August.mbox#L1436|"Re: lenny+1 and the future of the alpha port?"]], Bob Tracy, debian-alpha, 22 Aug 2008)] ==== History ==== The first two models, the Personal Workstation 433a and 500a, were announced on 8 January 1997 for Windows NT, shipping with Windows NT Workstation 4.0 and [[software:emulators#fx32|FX!32]] factory installed. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/biz-digital-announce-mbox/googlegroups-1997-January.mbox#L1|"Press/New Alpha-Based Personal Workstations Boost Digital's WinNT Lead"]], Digital Press and Analysts News, biz.digital.announce, 9 Jan 1997)] Digital sold the Personal Workstation in Intel (i-series) and Alpha (a-series) forms in the same enclosure. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_433a_upgrade_guide.pdf?linkonly|DIGITAL Personal Workstation 433a Upgrade Guide}}, EK-ALMIA-KU.A01, April 1997, pp. 1-1 to 1-2)] ==== Conflicting information ==== The following sources conflict with each other or with the account given above. They are listed here for further investigation. * **Personal Workstation maximum memory** * {{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_a_au_series_catalog.pdf?linkonly|Compaq DPW Enhanced a-Series & au-Series}}, September 2000, p. 1: "Three DIMM banks (six slots) (1.5 GB maximum)" * [[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2001-March.mbox#L39539|"Re: PYXIS machine checks w/ 1.5GB RAM"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 29 Mar 2001: "I've heard that someone stuck 3GB into a MIATA and it was fine. And the MIATA internal doc I have even talks about 6GB (!)" ==== Documentation ==== ^ Document ^ Part number ^ Date ^ | {{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_a_au_series_catalog.pdf?linkonly|Compaq DPW Enhanced a-Series & au-Series Systems and Options Catalog, V4.3}} | | September 2000 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_au_series_installation_and_setup_guide.pdf?linkonly|DIGITAL Personal Workstation a/au-Series Installation and Setup Guide}} | EK-ALMIG-SI.A01 | April 1998 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_alpha_user_information.pdf?linkonly|Personal Workstation (Alpha) User Information}} | EK-ALMIA-UI.A01 | October 1996 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_illustrated_parts_breakdown.pdf?linkonly|DIGITAL Personal Workstation Series Illustrated Parts Breakdown}} | EK-ALMIA-IP.B01 | May 1998 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_433a_upgrade_guide.pdf?linkonly|DIGITAL Personal Workstation 433a Upgrade Guide}} | EK-ALMIA-KU.A01 | April 1997 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_600a_upgrade_guide.pdf?linkonly|DIGITAL Personal Workstation 600a Upgrade Guide}} | EK-ALMIA-KU.C01 | | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_433a_cache_memory_installation_guide.pdf?linkonly|Personal Workstation 433 a-Series System Cache Memory Installation Guide}} | EK-ALMIA-CU.A01 | March 1997 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_i_series_processor_upgrade.pdf?linkonly|Performing a Processor Upgrade on the Digital Personal Workstation, I Series System}} | EK-ALMIA-UP.A01 | January 1997 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_powerstorm_4d40t_graphics_upgrade.pdf?linkonly|PowerStorm 4D40T Graphics Upgrade for Personal Workstation 180i/200i/200i(2)}} | EK-ALMIA-GU.B01 | April 1997 | | {{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_option_installation_notice.pdf?linkonly|DIGITAL Personal Workstation Option Installation Notice}} | EK-ALMIA-RM.A01 | May 1997 | {{tag>hardware system 21164 digital}}