[weblacky]

Hi All,
I'm struggling with my last Indy repair and boy I didn't expect this.  I have some "ideas" of what could be happening...but I'm flying blind here.  I need some old timers to chime in and save me here :-)  

Also I hope my records match my memory.  

When I got this system it was assumed to have a bad PSU.  However I've since used another, rebuilt, PSU on this Indy (I'll will try another for chance) and it operates the same as it's original PSU.

The first time I tried to start it (with rebuilt PSU for this point on).  It would bring it's fan on, front LED SOLID GREEN, nothing.  After awhile you get tired of nothing and press the front panel reset button, the front LED momentarily turns RED and then turns GREEN and the graphics appear and everything starts!!!


The first few times I started it I got this (I think this is the unit that gave these...I may be I'm remembering wrong...so grain of salt, sorry):

   

After restarting/unplugging/replugging this error only came up 2-3 times in a row and has never since come up in 20+ boots.  System goes to PROM and says performing diagnostics and no errors occur and you get right to the main PROM menu.

Now when you plug in the Indy, it stays off, you press the front panel power button, it starts the fan and the front LED goes solid green...still goes no farther...you can press the front reset button almost immediately and it will reset and startup fine, with boot chime!!!!  Also RTC is holding MAC address AND datetime correctly between AC disconnects so...I assume it works for now.

BOTH PROM console AND Irix OS CAN control the PSU (e.g. they can issue a hardware turn off).

   

I've tried the following:
1. Totally different RAM...no change (but correctly registers Memory size every time of whatever I put in).
2. Unplugging the internal drive power connector from the mainboard (so drives in the 3.5" bays have no power)....no change, same behavior.
3. I thought I tried a 3rd PSU but I'll try it again later on, but no change from the ones I've tried now.
4. I thought I was able to do one resetenv...no change.

Here's what I'm wondering...what if this system was a frankenstein and is a badly upgraded unit?  I only think this because I do not see a reference online to PROM versions and CPU support.  But some sites claim the CPU (1994) in this thing was made available the year AFTER the PROM copyright of 1993!?!?!  Now that could be just a publishing thing and not a real chonometer of events.  But it's what I have to go on...poor CPU support?


I've seen no other issues, no freezes, no visual artifacts, nothing so far...

I don't own an EPROM programmer so I'd be asking anyone if they have maybe the last R5000 PROM for Indy (I assume I can run the last PROM with an older R4400 CPU?)  Correct me if I'm wrong.

Does this look like a firmware issue?

I know on the surface it looks like a power supply "zombie" issue.  But I've tried other PSUs and they seem to work on other Indys (again I'll make another attempt with another rebuilt PSU, I have just in case).  But this symptom does predate my purchase of the unit (I saw it when I went to buy it, but attributed it to a failing PSU at the time).

Seems, so far, like maybe a mainboard/PROM/CPU issue?

Anyone got any advice/hint for me on this topic?  Also Anyone got a later-model PROM for me?  I don't do this often enough where buying a programmer and ICs is going to be less then just buy a single PROM from someone.

Thanks for any help you can provide.