IBM eServer xSeries 225/Intellistation Z Pro 6221 Flash Update Version 1.45 - Build OPE145A 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 x225/Intellistation Z Pro (6221) POST/BIOS code. 1.2 Limitations - NA 1.3 Enhancements 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. 1.4 Level of Recommendations and Prerequisites for the Update: 1.5 Dependencies For customers using the Integrated Mirroring feature on the integrated SCSI controller, the RAID configuration will be converted to a new format when upgrading to this level of system BIOS. This new format is unreadable by earlier levels of code. If it is necessary to return the system to the previous system BIOS level, the Integrated Mirroring settings will need to be reconfigured. Documentation of this workaround is available at: http://www.ibm.com/support 2.0 Change History BIOS Version 1.45 - Build OPE145A - Corrected spelling error in help text for System Card Data - Enhanced keyboard "stuck key" error detection - Corrected hang when entering the Event/Error Log with a power on password enabled - Changed PCI configuration space access in SMI handler. This could correct intermittent system crashes - Removed CAS latency option from setup and set correct value BIOS Version 1.44 - Build OPE144A - Update processor micro codes (SRV_P_37 for M0 and D1 stepping) BIOS Version 1.43 - Build OPE143A - Monitor System Fan 4 (SYSFAN4) when processor speed is equal to or faster than 3.06 GHz. - Updated af.exe to version 8.53.MSI04 BIOS Version 1.42 - Build OPE142A - Disables ASF Watch Dog Timer when RSA installed. - Adds "Performance Mode" and "Quiet Mode" into "Fan Speed Control" BIOS Version 1.41 - Build OPE141A - LSI BIOS/Firmware update and fix for bad block issue (please see retain tip H18502 for more information on the bad block issue) - Updated processor microcode - Fixed fan speed issue - Fixed Intel Logo BIOS Version 1.40 - Build OPE140A - L3 Cache was shown reporting 1M - 0x18 stopped BIOS from proceeding to next boot device - added Intel Logo to display during POST BIOS Version 1.39 - Build OPE139A - Take off the Serverraid 5i card 10 second delay BIOS Version 1.38 - Build OPE138A - Fixed issue of system may hang when ServRAID 5i is installed and running at 33 MHz. - Fixed issue of IBM Enhanced Diagnostics may hang. - Fixed issue of "8603 - Pointing Device Error" is displayed when USB keyboard and mouse are used without PS/2 devices attached. BIOS Version 1.37 - Build OPE137A - Fixed warm reboot test failure issue for NT4.0, and W2k Systems. BIOS Version 1.36 - Build OPE136A - Fixed issue of some Windows systems may hang while power cycling when Remote Supervisor Adapter is installed. BIOS Version 1.35 - Build OPE135A - Added support for 3.2GHz/M0 processors (CPUID=F25h, revision 14) - Added Setup menu option to allow administrators to disable the 'F12 Boot Menu' function during POST - Fixed issue of system with some Firewire 1394 cards may hang during shutdown from Windows 2000 - Fixed issue of updating BIOS may clear MTM, UUID and Serial Number from SMBIOS/DMI, prohibiting software access to this information - Fixed issue of updating BIOS may cause Setup passwords not to be recognized - Fixed issue of fans may run at full speed when Remote Supervisor Adapter is installed - Fixed issue of some PCI cards may not work due to resource conflicts - Fixed issue of PC Doctor may report incorrect CPU voltage BIOS Version 1.33 - Build OPE133A - Fixed issue of double bit memory errors may not be reported in error log - Fixed issue of erroneous fan error messages may appear on some models - Change Broadcom firmware level to V3.1.15 to fix ServeRAID card option ROM does not load issue - Fix issue of Diagnostics test of Systems Management may fail when Remote Supervisor Adapter is installed - Fixed issue of erroneous system error messages may appear during POST on some systems BIOS Version 1.30 - Build OPE130A - Improved fan speed control algorithm to reduce system noise during boot - Modify POST Error Code behavior to prevent warning messages when onboard SCSI or LAN devices are disabled in Setup BIOS Version 1.28 - Build OPE128A - Add support for latest Intel processors - Fixed issue of HTec Smart Reader Card causes display resolution limitation of 640 x 480 VGA BIOS Version 1.27 - Build OPE127A - Suppress POST error messages for parallel and serial ports when those devices are disabled - Fixed issue of second processor may be incorrectly reported in DMI/SMBIOS - Miscellaneous help text corrections BIOS Version 1.26 - Build OPE126A - Improve accuracy of CPU temperature reporting as seen in Setup - Add Setup item "Delayed Transaction Discard Timer" to allow advanced users to solve DMA performance issues that occur with some 32 bit PCI cards (not recommended for most users) - Fixed issue of power LED does not power off in certain situations - Fixed issue of IBM Remote Deployment Manager reboots instead of shutting down as expected BIOS Version 1.25 - Build OPE125A - Improved fan speed control algorithm - Updated LSI SCSI ROM BIOS to v5.03.09 to fix issue where onboard SCSI may be disabled when certain PCI SCSI adapters are installed - Updated Broadcom PXE code to v3.1.15 - Fixed intermittent system hangs when a 06P5740 RAID Adapter is used with OS/2 - Fixed issue of FAN1 error is displayed during POST after rebooting with IBM Server Guide 6.1.3 - Fixed Netware 5.1 CD will not boot - Fixed issue of machine doesn't power-off as expected with SuSE 8.1 - Added support for 'F12' to select temporary boot device - Added support for Legacy USB mode - Fixed issue of Diagnostics CPU test may work intermittently when run remotely via Remote Supervisor Adapter BIOS Version 1.22 - Build OPE122A - Fixed intermittent warm boot hang when Remote Supervisor Adapter is installed BIOS Version 1.20 - Build OPE120A - Initial release 3.0 Installation and Setup Instructions The procedure to update the POST/BIOS is as follows: 3.1 Insert the "IBM xSeries x225/Intellistation Z Pro POST/BIOS Flash Diskette" into drive A. 3.2 Start up or restart your IBM system. 3.3 The system will boot off of the diskette. 3.4 You will then be asked if you would like to save the current code to a diskette. If you select 'Y', you need to name the file to be saved. The file will be saved on the diskette. If you select 'N', the utility will continue to the next step. 3.5 At this point, you will be asked if you would like to continue the POST/BIOS flash update. If you select 'Y', the system will update the flash ROM with the new code. When this is complete you will be prompted to remove the diskette and hit 'F1' to reboot the system. 3.6 On the first system boot, after updating the BIOS, select the Setup Utility with the F1 key; then, select the "Load Default Settings" option. Select the "Save Settings" option, and hit 'y' to save. Then, select "Exit Setup" to exit the utility, and, finally, accept the displayed 'Y' option under "Save and exit the setup utility?" 4.0 Configuration Information 5.0 Unattended Mode 5.1 Steps for unattended mode. 5.1.1 Modify AUTOEXEC.BAT on the Flash Diskette to read: "AF.EXE flashfil.fls /py /sn", where 'flashfil.fls' is the file you wish to flash 5.1.2 Reboot the system with the Flash Diskette in Drive A: 6.0 Web Sites and Support Phone Number 6.1 IBM Support Web Site: http://www.pc.ibm.com/support 6.2 IBM Marketing IntelliStation Web Site: http://www.pc.ibm.com/intellistation 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.ibm.com/planetwide/. 7.0 Trademarks and Notices 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. 8.0 Disclaimer 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.