IBM xSeries x366 POST/BIOS Flash Disk Version 1.02 (Build ID ZUJT26A) 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 x366 POST/BIOS. 1.2 Limitations - NA 1.3 Enhancements - NA 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 2.0 Change History V1.00 - March 1, 2005 (Build ID ZUJT21A) -------------------------- - Initial release V1.01 - March 7, 2005 (Build ID ZUJT23A) -------------------------- - Fix required to prevent system hang during Broadcom PXE ROM execution when Serial Over Lan session is active with the BMC. - Fix required to prevent intermittent "1602 System Management Adapter Communication" error when the RSA II adatper is installed and AC power has been applied. - Fix required to allow the RSA II "Vital Product Data" section of the web interface to properly show the system serial number and machine type. - Fix to prevent POST/BIOS from intermittently reporting and disabling memory DIMMs during memory configuration during repeated warm boot or AC cycles. V1.02 - March 31, 2005 (Build ID ZUJT26A) -------------------------- - Changed default setting for "RSA II Disable Periodic SMI Generation" to Enabled to prevent from RSA II from generating a 15 minute SMI. This periodic SMI is not currently used on the x366 and should be defaulted to disabled. - Fix to prevent system from generating a NMI if a PCIX Correctable Threshold has been reached. The system will now properly generate a PFA alert if this condition occurs. - Fix to allow the Automatic BIOS Recovery feature to properly recover from a catastrophic POST/BIOS flash update failure. - Fix to modify the POST/BIOS USB CHS translation to be compatible with that used by most laptops. This will require specific USB keys which were bootable before on the x366 to be re-created. - Change to increase performance when running Windows Server 2003 and using the performance monitor application. This fix will also resolve a timer skew issue when running SAP. - Fix to properly send the BMC the correct system time during POST/BIOS operation between the hours of 19:00:00 and 00:00:00. - Fix to prevent a possible system hang when booting from a locally attached USB floppy device. 3.0 Installation and Setup Instructions The procedure to update the POST/BIOS is as follows: 3.1 Insert the "IBM xSeries x366 POST/BIOS Flash Disk" into drive A. 3.2 Start up or restart your IBM xSeries x366 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. 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: 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/ 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.