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Thread: Sgx boot error

  1. #1
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    Sgx boot error

    SGX will not boot

    This is used in a classroom setting and not for profit so any assistance is welcomed

    Please see image
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  2. #2
    feelx77
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    I see this post is from April. But it appears to me the original CMOS/BIOS backup battery is probably dead after 15-25 years of use. Most can not be replaced without de-soldering the old school battery chip (long discontinued in the electronics market) or special electronics tech trickery. HOWEVER, you can still use the SGX just like normal with a few steps.

    At that prompt you can type: dir than enter or dir/p to pause each screen.

    You will see a few .exe applications in the listing. Think its called "loadsgx.exe" you will find.
    Type that, hit enter. Your up and running. Only minor issue is the job number when called up may be off by 1 digit with an extra number when pulled. Every time you turn on from scratch all you would do is type "loadsgx.exe" hit enter. Continue as normal. Just figure out the job number when pulling it will be off by 1 digit but was easy for me to figure. Just do not remember specifically. Absolutely no Rx processing errors will be incurred.

    All these issues which are minor stem from the fact that without the backup battery working the BIOS settings have been forgotten for the 486 computer boot up process. So memory timing are thrown off making it say that load up error when you first turn it on.

    Technically I could send you all the screenshots for the BIOS settings, You could save them and just never turn off the SGX afterward otherwise the settings will be lost again.


    Quote Originally Posted by PRECISIONLAB View Post
    SGX will not boot

    This is used in a classroom setting and not for profit so any assistance is welcomed

    Please see image
    Click image for larger version. 

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  3. #3
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    Absolutely correct. I did what you mention here to get machine to boot and run. I would appreciate BIOS settings

    The issue I am having now is that it takes several attempts to load job. I have to hit enter several times for job recall

    Thanks for your help

  4. #4
    feelx77
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  5. #5
    feelx77
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    That should be all the entry screenshots. Just put your correct date not mine lol
    Should boot up, post like normal and read the serial data port correctly afterward. You will have to re-enter this every time if the BIOS/CMOS battery is dead or leave your SGX always on.

  6. #6
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    Appreciate this

  7. #7
    feelx77
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    If interested.....it is possible to pull the board out of the sgx and solder a 2032 battery mount to the board once you cut into the old CMOS battery sqaure chip. It was hard for me to find but someone did it or you can take a gamble and buy one of the old stock CMOS chips on Ebay.com (sometimes Amazon.com) and send the board to an electronics specialist to swap it out. Problem is there is no guarantee a 20 yr old/new stock chip will work. Below are links to buy a new chip (so they say) and some additional background information about the actual Dallas RealTime Clock/CMOS chip in your SGX.....how to hack it or replace it:

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/25553761553...cAAOSwcBRigUp3

    That Ebay item number is 255537615536

    https://www.classic-computers.org.nz...ttery-chip.htm

    Keep An Old Real Time Clock Module Ticking | Hackaday

    Reworking Dallas RTC Modules (ardent-tool.com)

    You could pull the board and send it along with the new Dallas chip you order to a GES Service Center or request a quote for them to swap the chip out. But in case they do not have one you send the one from Ebay assuming it matches up to your SGX system pull. Personally any local electronics specialist could de-solder and replace the chip for you to try if you supply the correct one.

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    You should be all set now lol


  8. #8
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    I was reluctant to attempt cmos battery replacement myself. Plus I didn't want to damage board.

    The work around is allowing me to have my students complete midterm and final projects.

    Posting pictures of the board as reference for future visitors to this thread

    Thanks again for the sound advice


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    Last edited by PRECISIONLAB; 07-01-2022 at 06:35 PM.

  9. #9
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    Buying any and all Briot edgers

  10. #10
    feelx77
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    Quote Originally Posted by chevypow View Post
    Buying any and all Briot edgers
    What did "Buying any and all Briot edgers" have to do with this "SGX boot error" technical thread? Which is a lens surface generator.....
    Please do not thread hi-jack just to advertise. Create a separate posting for your equipment buying/selling requests. (in my respectful opinion)



    ...and to PrecisionLab----> You are very welcome sir!

  11. #11
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    i just fixed a similar problem with my SGX.. my biggest issue was that Coburn no longer has anyone to make the boards and it seems like they wasn't look for anyone either... per Mr. Expert. He also suggested Optical Works Corp... i had used them before for other OLDER parts but not anything as new as the SGX. However, they had 1 on the shelf ready for install and got me up and going.. my question is:

    Are you all having trouble finding parts? thx in advance
    Making the blind see on a daily basis...
    Lies are told with a southern draw...
    We are not your Kind...

  12. #12
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    New issue

    Unable to boot

    Solutions? Thanks in advance

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  13. #13
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    If you press F1 what happenend?

    I hope the hard disk is still alive..

  14. #14
    feelx77
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    The Harddisk is virtual memory. Should be fine but of course it is possible for it to go corrupt with age. If that happens your SOL. When CMOS clears basic floppy search sometimes disappears so it cannot see the drive software despite being a virtual drive running off a memory chip. But yeah hit F1 to continue first than run my commands above from earlier posts. If no work, than you have to go into the BIOS setup and put in all the correct settings again and save to exit. Unfortunately, it will only save for the session it is still powered on.

    Just post a photo of what it shows after selecting F1.
    Last edited by feelx77; 05-18-2023 at 12:58 PM.

  15. #15
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    See screen post F1



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  16. #16
    feelx77
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    So, once again you need to go into the BIOS Setup and at least set the "Drive A: Floppy Disk 1.44m 3.5in" even though there is no real physical floppy disk on the SGX. Without doing that it will never see the virtual floppy drive to boot from. If that setting at a minimum will not stick after saving OR if even after replicating all my above screenshot settings in last years posted photos than most likely the software on the memory chip is corrupted, toast. Time to retire the generator. Because I am an IT tech myself, I know a work around, but you'll never get there unfortunately. BUT for general knowledge someone like me would need to hook up a physical old school floppy disk drive to a working SGX (the SGX mainboard does have a floppy port to connect a ribbon cable to), copy over all the directory files to a 1.44M floppy disk than transfer those files back to your SGX memory if still viable or install/add-in a physical floppy disk drive with a floppy disk in it and copied software. Change boot sequence over in BIOS to boot off the real floppy disk and it would work.

    Quite frankly way too much effort now days....so try my tricks first. If no success than guess time to move on or retire the unit.

  17. #17
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    I did reset per your advice and still not unable to get an A: prompt

    I cloned my SL-2 and file size surprisingly was only 178K. I will need to locate the manual which may have a floppy with software. I do have floppy drives to install so I might attempt to repair.

    Thanks

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