Guardian Debug Commands

[Metal]

Can I update a 4500 motherboard and OS with the old server number and registration key off my Dead 4200?
It's still under entitlement it would be nice to have it running again.

[blue68f100]

The 4500 is a better server than the 4200. If I recall the serial number is in a chip. But I do not recall if you have access to it through the BIOS. The registration is unique to each machine. I think the serial no can be changed but I would not make the change. Connect a monitor and keyboard and jump into the BIOS and check.

The OS you have for the 4200 will load on the 4500 with no issues. Just update the OS with the gsu file. You can see the serial number and model code name by monitoring the boot process. All you need to get software is the TSID number to get support. Since your 4200 has failed see if you can roll the support over to the 4500, otherwise terminate support with them and get a credit/refund.

Phoenix32 may be able to repair your 4200 for you, if you need it repaired.

[Phoenix32]

I have worked on my share of them, that's for sure.

BTW, the numbers are stored in the BIOS flashram. Not an easy thing to change without the software to do it (which I bet Adaptec has).

[Metal]

Originally Posted by Phoenix32

I have worked on my share of them, that's for sure.

BTW, the numbers are stored in the BIOS flashram. Not an easy thing to change without the software to do it (which I bet Adaptec has).

I'd offer it to you but the 2nd 4500 I picked up the seller conveniently 'forgot' to mention it had no drive trays (yes I asked before bidding but he never answered so I took a chance and the power button was broken off during shipping so I had to part out the 4200 to get this 4500 up.
The only bright side to this whole 4200 mess and subsiquent 4400 and 4500 upgrades is I'll have 12 spare adaptec OEM drives running GuardianOS 4.4.049 SP3 that I may as well eBay

[Phoenix32]

I think you mean SP2 (unless they just came out with a new SP).

But anywise, yes, there are plenty of Guardian units on eBay, but most of them end up being rip off deals. Very few are fully complete units and ready to rock unless they are $1000 or so...

[Metal]

yea SP 3 is out

[Phoenix32]

Cool, I will have to go get it then... Thx

[blue68f100]

The SN keeps bugging me, I saw some place to change it, and don't recall where. But in any case if you have a programmer it's a easy change, and you will have a copy of the original if you need to backup.

Good to know there's a SP3, will have to get it.

Thanks

[Phoenix32]

Ya know David, sometimes you just crack me up...

Programmer, easy change?!?!?!

Somehow, I just don't see most people seeing;

1. Desolder the surface mount eprom.
2. Put in programmer and dig through hex code for the serial number.
3. Change the serial number.
4. Resolder the surface mount eprom.
5. Test the change

as all that easy...

NOTE: "Some" boards may have the chip in a socket...


Sorry David, I just couldn't help myself... It was just too funny to pass up...


And for the record, it has been bugging me too, but I looked and didn't see anything obvious anywhere. The 4400 BIOS has a place to do it, but not the 4200/4500/15000. We must have dreamed it... Let me know if you remember or find it...

[Phoenix32]

BTW, I did go get SP3, but they don't bother telling us what was changed.

[blue68f100]

Andy,

This MB BIOS chip in a socket......
Not soldered in, and its a common package this time. Intel's PLCC
Programmers can be bought for < $70 these days, not the $3k they use to be 20 years ago.

I still recall seeing it some where.
But like you said my mind is going.... and I can't recall exactly where, I do some digging.

During my initial shakedown, 2+ yrs ago. Has it been that long?????

I know for sure it pulls that info and refers to BIOS location.

Qinfo: Reading from EEPROM... CheckSum = 0000
Qinfo:0000: 00 c0 b6 06 6e 27 00 00 00 00 01 02 01 47 00 00 ....n'.......G..
Qinfo:0010: 05 01 00 06 01 40 ed fe 0d f0 02 53 4e 41 50 34 .....@.....SNAP4
Qinfo:0020: 32 31 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 c0 a8 ac c8 ff 21XXX...........
Qinfo:0030: ff ff 00 c0 a8 ac 01 c0 a8 ac 01 00 00 00 00 c0 ................
Qinfo:0040: a8 ac 01 00 c0 a8 ac c9 ff ff ff 00 00 00 00 00 ................
Qinfo:0050: 00 00 00 00 c0 a8 ac 01 01 54 9b b7 45 94 f2
Qinfo:0060: 45 24 71 b7 45 01 01 02 00 ff 00 00 00 00 00 00 E$q.E...........
Qinfo:0070: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 4a 1d ..............J.
Qinfo: Bios Version: :S18Q3B02:
PlatformBase = TYPHOON
Platform = TYPHOON

Oh well, I guess I will blame it on my old age

As for SP3..... Maybe they fixed the USB printer option. Will have to give it another shoot. It took a lot longer to boot the snap than it did to download and apply the SP.

[Phoenix32]