Nortel Flash won't finish booting

[puzzles]

Hi,

I'm trying to help someone troubleshoot a Norstar Flash 4 port voicemail unit. It has a version 2.0 feature cartridge(NT5B78EB) installed. From what the technician tells me, with a computer connected via a serial connection, it passes all the startup tests, then hangs at the "Starting Nortel Norstar Flash Access/2" line (startup sequence is below). The technician says it should come up with a menu after that, regardless of whether it is attached to a system, however, I think that is incorrect. When I tested this unit previously, after "Starting Nortel Norstar Flash Access/2", it said, "!! Unable to start flashtalk,Please check port and TCM connections". I'm not sure if he left out that line, because he thought it was unimportant, or if it just didn't go that far. Doesn't the Flash need to be connected to a system in order to finish booting up so he can program it? He says he connected it to a CICS and a MICS, and tried different computers and cables. Does it sound like the Flash is defective? Is this an issue where F903 can be used?

Thanks for any insights you can provide.

Mark

---------------------------------------------------
Nortel Norstar Flash Diagnostics Started. Please
wait.

NVRam Test: Passed
B84 Test: Passed
Program ROM: Passed
Voice Prompt ROM: Passed
Serial Port Start: Passed
DSP Test: Passed
RAM Disk Test: Passed
RAM Disk Start: Passed
ROM Disk Start: Passed
O/S Start: Passed
VFS Test: Passed
VFS Start: Passed
Timer Test: Passed

Version Code: 06VBL080
Stream: Merged Stream, ACD_LOAD ON, KEYCODELESS_VM ON
Access: Access 4.0 and above
Language: Cdn English / Cdn French

Starting Nortel Norstar Flash Access/2

End <----- not sure if he added this, or if this is what the unit displayed.

 

[curlycord]

Yes it needs to be connected to a KSU....it's looking for it's ports.

 

[puzzles]

Thanks for your reply, curlycord. So, if a KSU is attached, should it Start Nortel Norstar Flash Access then report that it detected the KSU and ask for the password? The technician first reported that he tried the default system password, but it didn't work. This make me think it did go to a password prompt when connected to a KSU. I believe the unit is at it's default settings, because when I had the unit 1) it was powered off for many months, and 2) I removed the expansion cartridge, powered up, then plugged the expansion cart back in and powered up, which should have initialized the Flash.

If a password prompt doesn't come up or the default password doesn't work, would F903 work to get things rolling?

Mark

 

[Deweyhumbolt]

If a password prompt does not come up, Yes Ftr903 would work. If you then get a password prompt, only the default password would work.

 

[curlycord]

Once the KSU is part of the equation yes you will need F903 for that version Flash.

 

[endlesswinter]

upgrade to a call pilot.

 

[CJG3]

What version of sw is in the KSU?

 

[exsmogger]

All the readings are normal, but it doesn't appear to be looking for the control unit. V2.0 is compatible with all versions of CICS or MICS. All I can think is to make sure only one station is connected to each physical port on the Flash. I've seen some techs use 2 stations to connect to each port and the Flash will not boot up in that case.

Brian Cox

http://www.jandjcommunications.com

 

[descendant]

There is one more thing you should be aware of. If the Flash had been programmed for a different number of digits than the system you are connecting to, it will not come up unless you take the case off and drain the back-up memory's capacitor. Use a low value resistor or an ohmmeter to drain it.

The Flash should then come up and be ready to initialize.

 

[RikRodgers]

descendant- I've had that happen before, when we've had to change dn lengths on the KSU. The Flash will still let you log into f983 with the old dn length password, and then you can press 1 to do a reinstall. I still think it's bad design that you've got to do this, and reprogram from scratch. Bad integration.

Does anyone know if this is still the case with the Call Pilot?

Puzzles- Have your guy on site take a system phone and plug it into the cable connecting the phone system to the flash. If it doesn't come up, he may not have it connected to a live station port.

 

[exsmogger]

Rik is correct. You can still login with the old password, but you'd then need to reset and then reconfigure. No change with the Call Pilot.

Brian Cox

http://www.jandjcommunications.com

 

[puzzles]

Thanks for all the replies.

CJG3 - I do not know what version software the KSUs he tried were running. He hasn't gotten back to me today. I know he tried a CICS and a MICS, which, as Brian says, are compatible with the Flash's software.

Brian - When I had the unit, but without a KSU to connect, it ended at "!! Unable to start flashtalk,Please check port and TCM connections", so I know it should be capable of looking for the control unit. I don't know if he copied the boot readout before that line came up. I'll keep your suggestion in mind, although I think when he couldn't get it to work easily, he wrote it off as a dead unit. The Flashes have a lot of quirks, so I think it's too soon to give up on troubleshooting it. I'm stubborn when it comes to troubleshooting, and I want him to see it through.

descendant and RikRodgers - The Flash had been unplugged for many months. Would the charge in the capacitor have dissipated over that time so that it would be in the same state as if the capacitor were shorted? I also had removed and replaced the expansion cartridge, powering up in each state, and could see it flush and reinitialize. Wouldn't that have the same effect as draining the capacitor?

RikRodgers - I'll keep your suggestion in mind to try testing for a connection to a live station port.

 

[curlycord]

Last stab things to try..

Hook up the Flash to the KSU it will reside on.

Wait 5 minutes
Try F903
If system still has memory try F983 otherwise you defaulted it correctly it appears.
Check maintenance in KSU programming to see if it see's the Flash on those ports.
Replace Mod cords
Try maintenance again
Also try XFTEST and remove the features and reboot the flash.

Try another Feature card in the Flash unit.