Itanium Boot Help

mjkaufer · 09-29-2012, 04:20 PM

Hello,
I recently acquired a used Itanium server. I'm trying to connect it to my monitor, but to no avail. It has 4gb of RAM and about 36gb in hardrive space. There is no OS installed, which is why I need to hook it up to my monitor. The server does not have a video card, and I believe that this is the problem. I'm trying to get the server running without having to buy a video card, so is there any alternate way to get it running? It powers up, I just can't see it on my monitor.
Thanks in advance.

NyteOwl · 09-29-2012, 05:13 PM

Even if it has no built in video, it may have remote management capability. If so you should be able to connect to it via network for configuration and management. What model server is it?

mjkaufer · 09-29-2012, 07:24 PM

It's an Itanium IA64. I have no clue what model specifically, as it came with no instructions. How would one go about 'connecting to it via network for configuration and management'? Also, thank you for your response. I just would like to be able to have the screen appear on my monitor so that I may configure and manage it.

TobiSGD · 09-29-2012, 07:52 PM

I would search for a label somewhere on the case or a name and model on the motherboard and then have a look at the manufacturer's website for a manual.

mjkaufer · 09-29-2012, 08:03 PM

I would just like generic instructions as to how to display my server on a monitor without a graphics card. The server is rather old and I can't find many instructions on it, let alone any to show how to configure the monitor and whatnot.

TobiSGD · 09-29-2012, 08:11 PM

Simple as that: If you don't have a video card you can't connect a monitor. If you have free PCI slots you may be able to put an old videocard into the system (no guarantee that this works), but these systems were never intended to run with a monitor and there simply are no generic instructions to connect to the management interface on the machine, you need at least the manufacturer and likely the model of the machine or mainboard.

cascade9 · 09-30-2012, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjkaufer

The server is rather old and I can't find many instructions on it, let alone any to show how to configure the monitor and whatnot.

If you know or can find out the model and post it, I might be able to help more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TobiSGD

but these systems were never intended to run with a monitor

True, but the few itanium systems I've run across have all had some form of onboard video (mostly 8MB PCI ATI Rage XLs). Not that I'm any great expert on itaniums, and I'd guess that most of the itanium systems I've seen have been fairly low level.

TobiSGD · 09-30-2012, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cascade9

If you know or can find out the model and post it, I might be able to help more.

True, but the few itanium systems I've run across have all had some form of onboard video (mostly 8MB PCI ATI Rage XLs). Not that I'm any great expert on itaniums, and I'd guess that most of the itanium systems I've seen have been fairly low level.

I should have been more specific with that. Of course there are even workstations with Itanium CPUs, with powerful graphics cards, like the Silicon Graphics Prism Deskside (2 CPUs, up to two ATI FireGL T2 or X3) or even models of the SGI Prism series that work as visualization systems with up to 256 CPUs and 16 ATI FireGL cards.

I specifically meant those systems that don't even come with an onboard GPU, mostly rack-servers or blades.

Soadyheid · 10-01-2012, 10:41 AM

Has it got a serial port? You could try using a laptop with a serial connection running Hyperterminal (Windows) or Minicom (Linux) to see if that's the way in. (Management interface) You haven't mentioned what ports/connectors are available. Do you know the Manufacturer?

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