IBM eserver xSeries 360 POST/BIOS Flash Diskette Version 1.03 Installation README File CONTENTS ________ 1.0 Overview 2.0 Change History 3.0 Installation and Setup Instructions 4.0 Unattended Mode 5.0 Web Sites and Support Phone Number 6.0 Trademarks and Notices 7.0 Disclaimer 1.0 Overview 1.1 This README file contains the latest information about installing the IBM xSeries 360 POST/BIOS. Before performing the flash update you must follow the update procedure noted in the Dependencies section. 1.2 Limitations - NA 1.3 Enhancements - This version of POST/BIOS supports IBM xSeries 360 system with or without the IBM RXE-100 Remote Expansion Enclosure. 1.4 Dependencies For flash update of POST/BIOS and Remote Supervisor Adapter code: 1.4.1 If the current level of BIOS code on the xSeries 360 is BIOS 1.01 or below, then BIOS 1.02 must be installed before attaching the RXE-100 Remote Expansion Enclosure. 1.4.2 If the current level of BIOS code on the xSeries 360 is BIOS 1.02 or later, attach the RXE-100 Remote Expansion Enclosure. 1.4.3 If the current level of the IBM Remote Supervisor Adapter code in the xSeries 360 is less than 1.01, then the Supervisor Adapter code must be updated. Note: Updating this code must be performed with the RXE-100 Remote Expansion Enclosure attached. 2.0 Change History V1.03 - April 2, 2002 ------------------------- - Fixed the problem of cache disabled after installation of Windows operating system. - Patched the DAC problem of S3 video controller which may cause system hang if the system has 8GB memory installed. - Fixed the problem of remote console which may cause system hang. - Tuned the bus timeout of each HOST-PCI bridge to max. value. - Added code to enhance the robustness of PCI-X bridge support. V1.02 - March 29, 2002 ------------------------- - Integrated code to support the attachment of "IBM RXE-100 Remote Expansion Enclosure". - Fixed the problem of "IBM xSeries 360 diagnostics" unable to obtain the status of RXE through service processor. - Fixed ROM scan problem of QLogic SCSI adapter installed in RXE-100. - Fixed the problem of adapter unable to be recognized in "Windows.NET server" operating system when the adapter is hot-removed and then hot-added. - Fixed message displayed for changed field replaceable unit (FRU) in RXE-100. - Changed the 'year' field of copyright message to 2002. - Changed the remote flash update utility to support the method of virtual disk. PLEASE NOTE: (1) If system is installed with BIOS V1.02 (or above), must use packet file(s) for BIOS V1.02 (or above). (2) If system is installed with BIOS 1.01 (or below), must use file(s) for BIOS V1.01 (or below). It should be noted that this change has no impact on "diskette flash update". - Fixed Linux system hang during boot when remote video console is used. - Added PCI(x)-PCI(x) bridge support at boot time. - Corrected some data for SMBIOS. V1.01 - December 19, 2001 ------------------------- - Added code to fix occurrence of IERRs during reboot test caused by an RXE expansion device timeout. - Fixed SMBIOS structure to display correct processor cache size. - OS will now display the same BIOS version as POST. - Flash diskette attributes now being set correctly. - Added a workaround to fix Intel Xeon processor errata which can cause an invalid processor machine check. - Fixed several setup help related problems. - Added a BIOS check for installed adapters with onboard PCI-X. - Added an enhancement to processor MCK initialization requirement by Intel. - Removed Checkpoint 50 and log error for SPINT clear failure. V1.00 - December 13, 2001 ------------------------- - Initial release 3.0 Installation and Setup Instructions Complete the following steps to update the POST/BIOS: 3.1 Use the setup menus to review the settings and record any changes you have made to the default settings. You may have to restore unique settings after the flash update is complete. 3.2 Download the "IBM eserver xSeries 360 flash BIOS update diskette 1 of 2" file xxxx.exe (executable file, accompanying this readme file) from the World Wide Web to the hard drive. 3.3 Double-click the icon to open a DOS window. Follow the instructions displayed on the screen. At the completion of the instructions you will be prompted to insert a blank diskette in drive A and press "Enter". At the completion, start (or restart) the server. 3.4 The system boots the flash diskette and displays a window that allows several flash options. Select "1 - Update POST/BIOS". 3.5 A message on the screen provides the option to back up the current BIOS. Select "Yes" to flash the current code into the ROM backup bank. 3.6 A message provides the option to save the current BIOS image to a diskette. If you Select "Yes", you must insert a blank formatted diskette. 3.7 A language selection menu enables you to choose language to be used for all POST messages and setup menus. 3.8 The system updates the flash. After flash completes, remove the diskette and press "Enter" when you are prompted to reboot the system. 3.9 On the first reboot after the flash completion, system will entered into setup configuration if any configuration error has occurred. If no error has occurred than skip remaining steps in this section. 3.10 Select the option to automatically reconfigure if you are prompted. 3.11 Select "Continue" to view the setup menus. 3.12 Select the option to "Load Default Settings", 3.13 Restore the setup changes recorded in step 3.1 (if any), and then select "Save" and exit setup. 4.0 Unattended Mode NOTE: This section is for Advanced Users. It describes how to perform unattended flash updates for English only. For all other languages use the procedure in step 3.0. 4.1 Steps for unattended mode. 4.1.1 "shell=flash2.exe" is the content of the config.sys file on the flash diskette. Modify this entry as shown to perform the unattended flash update operation. shell=flash2.exe /u /r 4.1.2 Insert the flash diskette in drive A and start (or restart) the server. 4.1.3 Remove the diskette when the IBM eserver logo screen is displayed at the next reboot. 5.0 Web Sites and Support Phone Number 5.1 IBM Support Web Site: http://www.pc.ibm.com/support 5.2 IBM Marketing eserver Web Site: http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/eserver/xseries 5.3 If you have any questions about this update, or problems applying the update go to the following Worldwide Help Center phone list index URL: http://www.pc.ibm.com/qtechinfo/YAST-3P2QYL.html 6.0 Trademarks and Notices 6.1 IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. 6.2 Intel is a registered trademark and Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. 6.3 Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows NT, and Windows, are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. 6.4 Novell and NetWare are registered trademarks of Novell Inc. 6.5 SCO, SCO UNIX, Open Desktop, and Open Server are registered trademarks of Santa Cruz Operation Inc. 6.6 All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. 7.0 Disclaimer THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. IBM DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND MERCHANTABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT. BY FURNISHING THIS DOCUMENT, IBM GRANTS NO LICENSES TO ANY PATENTS OR COPYRIGHTS.