IBM xSeries 255 POST/BIOS Flash Disk Version 1.08 Installation README File CONTENTS ________ 1.0 Overview 2.0 Change History 3.0 Installation and Setup Instructions 4.0 Configuration Information 5.0 Unattended Mode 6.0 Web Sites and Support Phone Number 7.0 Trademarks and Notices 8.0 Disclaimer 1.0 Overview 1.1 This README file contains the latest information about installing the IBM xSeries 255 POST/BIOS. 1.2 Limitations - NA 1.3 Enhancements - - This updated Flash disk contains support for RSA II (added in Version 1.04), as well as booting from USB CDROM and diskette drives. To accomodate this the POST/BIOS image size was increased from 256KB to 320KB. These are the guidelines for using Flash Disks with various levels of POST/BIOS and ROM Diagnostics: 1. 256KB and 320KB based POST/BIOS images may be loaded on all systems using this updated Flash Disk. 2. After switching between a 320KB and a 256KB image, ROM Diagnostics will need to be reinstalled. 3. It is not recommended to keep a mixture of 256KB and 320KB POST/BIOS images in the Flash ROM. It is recommended that you update the ROM backup image to match the primary image size after you have verified that primary image is booting properly. The new Flash utility contains warning messages to inform you when a size mismatch will exist, and also when a change in size will be made. However, it is possible to have varying sized images in the Flash ROM. In this case when using the backup image to recover a system, the planar SCSI ROM and planar Ethernet PXE will not be available. When using the Flash Utility to restore the backup image, current PXE and SCSI roms will be installed to correctly support the POST/BIOS image. 4. POST/BIOS versions 1.00, 1.01, 1.02 and 1.03 are 256KB in size. POST/BIOS versions 1.04 and above are 320KB in size. ROM Diagnostics versions 1.00, 1.01, and 1.02 are only compatible with the 256KB POST/BIOS images. ROM Diagnostics versions 1.03 and above are only compatible with 320KB POST/BIOS images. In order to use ROM Diagnostics prior to version 1.03, both the primary and backup POST/BIOS image must be 256KB in size. 1.4 Level of Recommendations and Prerequisites for the Update: - Upgrading to v1.08 is required for all systems with processors with CPUID == 0f26h or 0f25h. - Upgrading to v1.07 is required for all systems with processors with CPUID == 0f26h or 0f25h. - Upgrading to v1.06 is required for all systems. - Upgrading to v1.05 is required for all systems. - Upgrading to v1.03 is required for all systems with C0 step processors (CPUID 0f11h), and/or systems that use adapter cards containing PCI-PCI bridges, and/or systems with 2GB DIMMs. - See the list of changes for information to determine whether or not you are affected by the enhancements and fixes. 1.5 Dependencies 2.0 Change History V1.08 - June 20, 2004 (Build ID == AVE126AUS) ------------------------- - This BIOS flash image update contains an Intel errata patch for the microprocessor firmware. It addresses a potential issue which might cause a system to exhibit erratic behavior such as a system hang, reboot, blue screen or Kernel Panic (Linux), and may also cause in-progress system operations (e.g., file, I/O) to fail. The possibility of this behavior is believed to be limited, but IBM strongly recommends that customers install this update as soon as possible to prevent the possibility of the issues listed above. See Retain Tip H181994 for more details on this issue. - Updates to support RDM. V1.07 - March 24, 2004 (Build ID == AVE125AUS) ------------------------- - Fix for hard disk boot failure when a USB key/hard disk is installed. - Fix for system hang when USB is disabled by operating system. - Add Setup option to allow planar video to function when a secondary video card is installed. - Add Setup option "Loop on Startup Sequence". - Fix for incorrect date/time in System Event Log. - Microcode update for B1 step processors. (CPUID 0f25h) - Microcode update for C0 step processors. (CPUID 0f26h) V1.06 - October 27, 2003 (Build ID == AVE124AUS) ------------------------- - Add Remote Console Redirection. - Add support for USB devices with multiple LUNs. (Updated RSA II that can mount both floppy and cdrom at the same time requires this) - Fix for certain hard disk emulated CDs failing to boot from USB CD. - Update to support CDs with multiple boot-images in USB CD-ROMs. - Fix for use of various USB hubs during POST. - Fix for false I9990301 error when USB Legacy is disabled in F1 Setup. - Fix for booting certain diskettes via a USB floppy drive. (ex: Red Hat Advanced Server 2.1) - Fix for local floppy disappearing in OS and Setup when a remote floppy is present during POST. - Fix for lost keystrokes when using a USB keyboard. - Fix for writes to Remote Floppy with RSA II installed. - Fix for INT 13h, Function 4B01h, for USB CD drives. - Changed setup behaviour to not automatically disable USB Legacy when Keyboardless Operation is enabled. - Update delay in initial USB enumeration, so RSA II users may enter setup more easily. - Fix for EBDA corruption that could cause DOS environments using EMM386 to fail. - Fix for CMOS corruption when clearing the RSA II System Event Log. - Updated PXE ROM to 6.2.2. - Fix for DMI/SMBIOS Type 20 structure to correctly report Hot Spare/Mirrored Memory. - Microcode update for A0 step processors. (CPUID 0f22h) - Microcode update for B1 step processors. (CPUID 0f25h) - Microcode update for C0 step processors. (CPUID 0f11h) V1.05 - July 8, 2003 ------------------------- - Microcode update for C0 step processors. (CPUID 0f11h) - Chipset changes to improve function of A0 and B1 processors. (CPUIDs: f25h, f22h) V1.04 - June 16, 2003 ------------------------- - Added boot support for USB CDROM and diskette drives. - Increased POST/BIOS image size to 320KB. - Added support for RSA II. V1.03 - April 17, 2003 ---------------------- - Log 164 message to Event Log when installed memory size changes. - Fix for Windows utilities that display PCI slot information. - Updated PXE ROM to 3.1.15. - Fix for interrupt routing when using cards that contain PCI-PCI bridges. - Microcode update for C0 step processors. (CPUID 0f11h) - Updates to support 2GB DIMMs. - Fix for false IERR generated during Windows shutdown. (Error can be viewed in System Event Log. More visible symptom includes processors disappearing on reboot) V1.02 - September 12, 2002 ---------------------- - Fixes for remote floppy and some DOS applications. - Added setup item to display MAC addresses of PXE enabled adapters. - Added Memory Mirroring function. V1.01 - July 31, 2002 ---------------------- - Fixed Netware hot plug pci failures when attempting to hot plug two or more PCI adapters in succession. - Allow for remote keyboard to work when using the RSA remote floppy function and/or when starting remote control operation after the system has already booted. - Fix for potential hang during Netware boot, if using USB keyboard. - Fix for WOL when using RDM. - Updated PXE ROM. - Fix for power button press sometimes being ignored in Windows 2000. V1.00 - May 31, 2002 ---------------------- - Initial release 3.0 Installation and Setup Instructions The procedure to update the POST/BIOS is as follows: 3.1 Insert the "IBM xSeries 255 POST/BIOS Flash Disk" into drive A. 3.2 Start up or restart your IBM xSeries 255 server. 3.3 The system will boot off of the disk and present a window which allows you the option to flash various options. Choose "1 - Update POST/BIOS". 3.4 You will be asked if you would like to move the current POST/BIOS image to the backup ROM location. If you select 'Y', the current code will be flashed in to the backup bank immediately. 3.5 If the current system POST/BIOS supports the Asset Tag feature, you will be asked if you would like to change it. If you select 'Y', you will be able to enter a new number. 3.6 You will then be asked if you would like to save the current code to a disk. If you select 'Y', you need to have a formatted disk already available, or specify a fully qualified path and file name. 3.7 At this point, the image will be loaded from the disk, and you will be asked to choose which language you wish to use during POST and in Setup. If you select a choice other than English, the selected language will be merged into the image. There is also an option to Quit the flash update on this menu. 3.8 After this completes the system will update the flash ROM with the new code. When this is complete you will be prompted to remove the disk and hit return to reboot the system. 4.0 Configuration Information 5.0 Unattended Mode 5.1 Steps for unattended mode. 5.1.1 Modify CONFIG.SYS on the Flash Diskette to read: "SHELL=FLASH2.EXE /u /r xx* **" 5.1.2 Reboot the system with the Flash Diskette in Drive A: * Note: "xx" refers to the language support. By default the system will flash the English versions of BIOS and Setup if no language is specified. ** Note: An optional parameter of "/a:" can be added to allow for storing a system asset tag number where "" is replaced with up to a 32 digit string. 6.0 Web Sites and Support Phone Number 6.1 IBM Support Web Site: http://www.pc.ibm.com/support 6.2 IBM Marketing Web Site: http://www.pc.ibm.com/ww/eserver/xseries/ 6.3 If you have any questions about this update, or problems applying the update go to the following Help Center World Telephone Numbers URL: http://www.pc.ibm.com/qtechinfo/YAST-3P2QLY.html. 7.0 Trademarks and Notices 7.1 IBM and the e(logo) are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. 7.2 U.S. Government Users Restricted Rights - Use, duplication or disclosure restricted by GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corporation. IBM web site pages may contain other proprietary notices and copyright information which should be observed. 8.0 Disclaimer THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. IBM DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS 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.