>     This would seem to indicate that the NVRAM has been reset (if it has
> one) or the CMOS battery is dead (I've never seen the inards of 3100 so I
> don't know if it has one) In either case, all the settings have been erased.

One of my 3100s had a flat NVRAM battery. Careful inspection
revealed it was just 2 NiCad batteries in a shrink-wrap. Even
further examination revealed that the connector on them would
plug into my R/C charger (just). Problem solved.

Disclaimer: I'm not an authority on DECstations or battery charging,
and I was desperate at the time.

regards
jeff