IBM eserver xSeries 365 POST/BIOS Flash Update Diskette Systems: 8861 and 8862 Version 1.08, Build ID:RDJT28A, Revision 08 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 365 POST/BIOS. 1.2 Limitations: N/A 1.3 Enhancements: - This BIOS flash image update contains an Intel erratum 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: - See the list of changes for information to determine whether or not you are affected by the enhancements and fixes. 1.5 Dependencies - For customers using the Integrated Mirroring feature on the integrated SCSI controller, the RAID configuration will be converted when upgrading to this level of system BIOS. If it is necessary to return the system to the previous system BIOS level, the RAID configuration will need to be converted back to the previous level. Documentation of this workaround is available at: http://www.ibm.com/support/ 2.0 Change History V1.08 - RDJT28A - June 15, 2004 ---------------------------------- - Fixed PXE boot issue through Service Processor's web interface. V1.07 - RDJT27A - June 03, 2004 ---------------------------------- - Updated microcode for Gallatin Processor (CPUID:0F26 to Patch ID:0E and CPUID:0F25 to Patch ID:1D) - Updated LSI SCSI ROM and FW to fix bad block issue. (See Retain Tip H18502 for more information on this issue). V1.06 - RDJT26A - May 05, 2004 ---------------------------------- - Fixed code to support Infineon DIMMs. - Added code to support pass4 hardware (disabled inbuilt serial port of CSB6U and disabled detection of Sarasota adapter). - Fixed boot issue with 10 Marco cards with RXE-100 attached. - Fixed WOL issue with RDM. - Added wflash/lflash support. V1.05 - RDJT25A - March 15, 2004 ---------------------------------- - Fixed ACPI verifier failure. - Updated microcode for Gallatin Processor (CPUID:0F26, Patch ID:0B) - Added help message(s) for the setup options to enable/disable Prefetch Queue and Adjacent Sector Prefetch. V1.04 - RDJT24A - February 10, 2004 ---------------------------------- - Added setup option to enable/disable the following processor features: 1. Prefetch Queue Disable 2. Adjacent Sector Prefetch Disable - Fixed Master Parity error reporting with RXE-100 attached. - Fixed UUID update problem in flash update utility. - Added code to support drive firmware update via RXE-100. - Fixed INT15 (function - 3D07) to report correct Diags Build ID. V1.03 - RDJT23A - January 20, 2004 ---------------------------------- - Added microcode to support Gallatin Processor C0 stepping (CPUID:0F26, Patch ID:04) V1.02 - December 12, 2003 ------------------------- - Fixed the problem of Processor dropping out intermittently on AC power cycle with shared RXE-100 configuration. V1.01 - December 05, 2003 ------------------------- - Fixed the problem of memory errors with 8 DIMM memory card when DIMM pair J1 & J5 is not installed. V1.00 - November 18, 2003 ------------------------- - Initial release 3.0 Installation and Setup Instructions The procedure to update the POST/BIOS is as follows: 3.1 Insert the "IBM xSeries 365 POST/BIOS Flash Disk" into drive A. 3.2 Start up or restart your IBM xSeries 365 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 Serial Number, Machine Type/Model and Asset Tag update feature, you will be asked if you would like to change them. 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, choose "1 - Update POST/BIOS". There is also an option to Quit the flash update on this menu. 3.8 After this 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. 3.9 On the reboot immediately following the flash update the user MUST enter the BIOS Setup utility by pressing when prompted. Upon entering the Setup utility the user must select the "Load Default Settings" line item from the main "Configuration/Setup Utility" menu. Select to load the system default settings. The user must now exit the setup utility and select "Yes, save and exit the Setup Utility". The system will automatically reboot. 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 eserver Web Site: http://www.ibm.com/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: 800-IBM-SERV (800-426-7378) Hardware Support #: 800-426-4378 Software Support #: 800-237-5511 6.4 Website for the World Wide Support Phone list: http://www.pc.ibm.com/qtechinfo/YAST-3P2QYL.html. 6.5 IntelliStation web site: www.pc.ibm.com/intellistation 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 8.1 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. 8.2 Note to Government Users Note to U.S. Government Users -- Documentation related to restricted rights -- Use, duplication or disclosure is subject to restrictions set forth in GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corporation.