> 
> > Are there any settings on the PROM  or other things I could use to
> > make this machine boot automatically after poweron?
> 
> How about terminating the onboard ethernet with a T and two terminators,
> and ripping out the framebuffer entirely?  Then it should be happy.

The framebuffer is not the problem - I know, because it worked like a
charm for over a year. The ethernet error is new and that makes the
real problem.
And yes, the onboard ethernet IS equipped with a T & terminators.

Andreas