Installing and Testing the PoCa Host Watchdog Timer
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The Watchdog Timer cycles power to the computer if the latter has
hung.  It consists of a board in the PC, as well as a Remote Unit
that actually cycles the power.  During normal operation, the
computer periodically runs a program to clear a counter on the
Timer board.  If the computer hangs, this program does not get run.
This allows the counter to reach a terminal count, which causes a
flipflop to be set, which in turn signals the Remote Unit to shut
off power.  The Timer board continues to operate by battery.  The
flipflop is cleared after a small delay, which causes the Remote
Unit to restore power to the PC.

I think the Watchdog Timer's NiCd battery will have discharged
itself over the summer.  I suspect that if the Timer is run without
a sufficiently charged battery, a reset condition will cause an
extremely brief power outage -- much less than a second (as soon
as the power is removed, the signal to remove power is also removed,
bringing power back up again).  I can't predict what will happen
to the computer under this condition.  Quite possibly, it would
simply hang, eventually causing another reset condition.  It is
also possible that much worse will happen....  Needless to say,
this is a scenario to be avoided.  To this end, the PC should be
run for a day or so without the Watchdog Timer Remote Unit in place.
This will give the battery a chance to recharge.

The following instructions cover charging the battery as well as
testing the Watchdog Timer.  The Remote Unit was refurbished during
the summer, and thus has yet to be tested with the Timer board.
Thus I am eager to see the results of these initial procedures.
Thanks very much!

--Titus Mathews Jr  940913
                          __ooOOoo__

1.  INSTALL THE SHORTING PLUG IN THE PC!  Without this plug, the 
    battery is disconnected from the charging circuit.

2.  Plug the PC's power cord into the regulated power bar, and turn
    the PC on.

3.  Allow the PC to run continuously for at least 24 hrs.  Please
    note any unusual behaviour.


4.  Turn off power to the PC.  

5.  Plug the PC's power cord into the Remote Unit.  

6.  Connect the Watchdog Timer cable to the Remote Unit (and the
    PC, if it was detached in the March shutdown).

7.  Plug in the Watchdog Timer Remote.  **DISARM** the Watchdog
    Timer.  The "power" LED should be lit, and the "armed" LED
    extinguished.

8.  Turn on the PC, and let run for a few hours.  Note any odd
    behavior, please.

9.  Arm the Watchdog Timer.  Make sure all programs that reset
    the Watchdog Timer are NOT running.  After a few hours, check
    to see that the Watchdog Timer has indeed cycled power to the
    computer (this should be evident in the bootup log,
    C:\IMAGES\LOG\BOOTLOG.???).

                          --OOooOO--