Subject: system time -> NVRAM time
To: None <port-sparc@netbsd.org>
From: Aaron J. Grier <agrier@poofygoof.com>
List: port-sparc
Date: 11/06/2002 15:58:37
what's the magic NetBSD command to copy system time to NVRAM time?  I
recently acquired an IPX with a dead NVRAM.  I replaced it, and while
the hostID and ethernet address stick around, I can't seem to get the
clock properly set or started.  the firmware starts it on reset and
errors out:

<SNIP>

    FAILURE: TOD (f20007fa) Bit Failure, Exp = 000000ff, Obs =
0000007fStarting real time clock...
Starting real time clock...

SPARCstation IPX, No Keyboard
ROM Rev. 2.9, 64 MB memory installed, Serial #792851.
Ethernet address 8:0:20:c:19:13, Host ID: 570c1913.


Power-On SelfTest FAILED ... Replace NVRAM

<SNIP\>

I've tried "kickstarting" the NVRAM as described in the NVRAM FAQ, but
it doesn't seem to do anything.

the machine boots, but the time slippage is too far for even ntpdate to
handle:

NetBSD 1.6 (GENERIC) #0: Mon Sep  9 08:27:06 UTC 2002
    autobuild@tgm.daemon.org:/autobuild/sparc/OBJ/autobuild/src/sys/arch/sparc/compile/GENERIC

[...boots...]

Fri Oct 19 12:38:28 PST 1934

NetBSD/sparc (lagduf) (console)

login:

[... so I log in and try to set the date via NTP ...]

# ntpdate goldberry
19 Oct 12:40:30 ntpdate[200]: adjust time server 10.0.0.6 offset -0.004295 sec
# date
Fri Oct 19 12:40:57 PST 1934

what's the deal?  if I set the date with date(1) and the run ntpdate, it
works as expected and it's finally 2002.  but the change doesn't stick
across reboots, since it doesn't appear to be making it back to the
timekeeper.

is there some crucial step I've missed in installing the new NVRAM?

-- 
  Aaron J. Grier | "Not your ordinary poofy goof." | agrier@poofygoof.com
    "i'm convinced that the cray cabinet has an outlet for plugging in
    welding attachments."  --  Skeezics Boondoggle, on the cray CS6400