IBM eServer xSeries 225/Intellistation Z Pro 6221 Flash Update Version 1.50 - Build OPE150A Installation README File CONTENTS ________ 1.0 Overview 2.0 Installation and Setup Instructions 3.0 Unattended Mode 4.0 Web Sites and Support Phone Number 5.0 Trademarks and Notices 6.0 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 Installation and Setup Instructions The procedure to update the POST/BIOS is as follows: 2.1 Insert the "IBM xSeries x225/Intellistation Z Pro POST/BIOS Flash Diskette" into drive A. 2.2 Start up or restart your IBM system. 2.3 The system will boot off of the diskette. 2.4 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. 2.5 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. 2.6 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?" 3.0 Unattended Mode 3.1 Steps for unattended mode. 3.1.1 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 3.1.2 Reboot the system with the Flash Diskette in Drive A: 4.0 Web Sites and Support Phone Number 4.1 IBM Support Web Site: http://www.pc.ibm.com/support 4.2 IBM Marketing IntelliStation Web Site: http://www.pc.ibm.com/intellistation 4.3 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/. 5.0 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. 6.0 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.