Chapter 2. Using the Workstation

This section provides information about using your Silicon Graphics Fuel visual workstation. The topics covered include:

Logging In to the Workstation

Press the power buttons on your monitor and workstation as shown in Figure 2-1.

Figure 2-1. Powering On the W orkstation and Monitor

Powering On the 
W
orkstation and Monitor

A red LED flashing on the front of the workstation indicates that the system is booting. The monitor may remain blank for a few moments.

If your system is booting for the first time, you will see a login screen similar to the example shown in Figure 2-2.

Figure 2-2. Login Screen

Login Screen

If you have a login account, double-click the icon with your login name. If you do not have a login account, double-click EZsetup and then follow the instructions for creating a personal login account and setting up the networking software. Then, you can begin using the IRIX interactive desktop to create a personal work area and communicate with other users on your network.

Using the IRIX Interactive Desktop

After you have logged in, you are ready to use the IRIX Interactive Desktop. By default, several icons appear on your desktop: a folder icon representing your home directory, a dumpster icon, and icons for any peripherals you installed, examples of which are shown in Figure 2-3.

The peripheral icons show the current state of the respective devices. For example, if you insert a music CD into the CD-ROM drive, the icon changes. When you double-click the icon, it opens CD Player, a utility that allows you to play music from a compact disc.

Figure 2-3. Peripheral Icons

Peripheral Icons

The Toolchest, located at the top left corner of your screen, provides access to system functions, applications, hardware and software information, and documentation, as shown in Figure 2-4.


Note: For a complete description of the Toolchest, select Help > InfoSearch from the Toolchest, and type Desktop Users Guide.

Figure 2-4. Toolchest Menu

Toolchest Menu

System Manager

From the Toolchest, select System > System Manager to display the System Manager, which shows your workstation's hardware and software information.

Online Documentation

From the Toolchest, select Help to display the library of online documentation. If your workstation is turned off and you cannot access online documentation, this printed guide contains all the information you need. You can also access this guide and most manuals, man pages, and release notes in the SGI Technical Publications Library at http://techpubs.sgi.com/library, and through InfoSearch, as described in the next section.

InfoSearch

From the Toolchest, select Help > InfoSearch and type the name of the desired book or topic to search online books, man pages, and release notes that cover end-user, developer, and system administrator information.

The Console Windo w

The small box next to the Toolchest is the Console window, as shown in Figure 2-5. It appears as a small box because it is minimized. You can open it to its full size by clicking it. Many system status and error messages appear in this window.

Figure 2-5. Console Window

Console Window

If you click in the Console window, an IRIX shell appears, where you can type IRIX commands. For information on IRIX commands, select Help > Online Books >
SGI_End User > Desktop Users Guide
> Using IRIX Commands from the Toolchest.

Powering Off the Workstation

You can shut down and power off your workstation in either of two ways, which are explained in the following sections:

  • Powering off with the power button.

  • Powering off from the Toolchest.

Powering Off with the Power Button

To power off your workstation with the power button, follow these steps:

  1. Open the door on the front of your workstation.

  2. Press the power button, as shown in Figure 2-6.

    Figure 2-6. Powering Off the Workstation

    Powering Off the Workstation

    Within a few seconds, a shutdown notifier appears, as shown in Figure 2-7. Within a minute, the system powers off automatically.

    Figure 2-7. System Shutdown Notifier

    System Shutdown Notifier

  3. Turn off your monitor by pressing the monitor power button.

    If your system does not power off and you do not see any activity for several minutes, press the power button again.


    Note: If you press the power button a second time, the system should power off immediately, but this method does not perform a clean shutdown. Avoid using this method unless the system does not respond for several minutes after you first press the power button.

    If pressing the power button a second time does not work, use a pencil or pen to press the reset button, shown in Figure 2-8. If the system still fails to power off, unplug the power cable from the back of your workstation and contact your service provider.

    Figure 2-8. Power Button and Reset Button

    Power Button and Reset Button


    Note: The NMI button shown in Figure 2-8 is used by SGI field engineers to diagnose problems. Do not press this button unless directed by SGI service personnel.


Powering Off from the Toolchest

If y ou have root level access to the workstation, you can shut down your system from the Toolchest. as follows:

  1. From the Toolchest, select System > System Shutdown.

    After a few seconds, a shutdown caution message appears, as shown in Figure 2-9.

    Figure 2-9. Shutdown Caution Message

    Shutdown Caution Message

  2. Click the Power Off the System check box.

    The Restart the system window appears. At this point, you can shut down and power off the system or configure it to restart at a designated time, as shown in Figure 2-10.

    Figure 2-10. Restart System Option

    Restart System Option

  3. Click OK to shut down and power off the system.

    The shutdown notifier appears, as shown in Figure 2-11. After a few seconds, the system powers off.

    Figure 2-11. System Shutdown Notifier

    System Shutdown Notifier

Restarting from the Toolchest

If you have root level access to the workstation, you can restart the system from the Toolchest.

  1. From the Toolchest, select System > Restart.

    After a few seconds the restart notifier appears, as shown in Figure 2-12.

    Figure 2-12. Restart Notifier

    Restart Notifier

  2. Click OK in the restart notifier.

    The shutdown notifier appears, as shown in Figure 2-13.

    Figure 2-13. System Shutdown Notifier

    System Shutdown Notifier

    After a brief delay, the power off/restart notifier appears, as shown in Figure 2-14.

    Figure 2-14. Power Off/Restart Notifier

    Power Off/Restart Notifier

  3. Click Restart.

The restart notifier informs you that the system is coming up (restarting), as shown in Figure 2-15.

Figure 2-15. Restart Notifier

Restart Notifier