H163554: ECA018: MANDATORY BIOS UPGRADE TO REV 29A OR HIGHER FOR 8644


 PURPOSE:

 This ECA provides for a required flash upgrade to the System
 BIOS revision level 29a or higher.

 THIS IS A MANDATORY ECA

 FEATURES:
 Type,                  Machines Affected
 Model,   With          and/or Feature/Device     B/M to be    Service  System
 Stage    B/M           Description               Installed    Hours    Hours

                        USA:
 8644     B/M0000000    NETFINITY SERVER 3500     B/M0000000   01.0     00.3
                        TYPE 8644 , ALL MODELS
                        EMEA:_SAME SYSTEMS:
                        TRAVEL PER SITE: 0.8HR
                        SERVICE
                        PER SYSTEM:      1.0HR

 PHYSICAL CHECK:

 The System is any Model Netfinity server 3500 Type 8644
 with a BIOS revision less than 29A.

 Note: The BIOS revision level of the System may be determined by
 accessing the "Product Data" Selection listed in the
 "Configuration/Setup Utility" screen that may be accessed by
 pressing <F1> when prompted during System Boot.

 PREREQUISITES: NONE

 COMPANION: NONE

 CONCURRENT: NONE

 DETAIL:

 If the System meets the Physical Check criteria, flash the
 System BIOS to 29A or higher using the following procedure:

 1- Prior to going onsite, download the "Netfinity 3500 BIOS
    flash update diskette version 1.29 (revision 29)" (or
    higher) from the IBM Website at the following URL:

        http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/files.html

     - Select SEARCH
     - Type 3500 BIOS in the keywords box
     - Select SEARCH
     - Select the "Netfinity 3500 BIOS flash update diskette
       version 1.29 (revision 29)" (or higher) to download

    The file is a self-extracting executable file that will
    create a diskette.

    In addition, open and print the associated README file
    to reference during step 3.

 2- Power down the Server, place the diskette in the diskette
    drive, then power up the Server.

 3- Follow the on-screen prompts to flash the System BIOS.

    *******IMPORTANT****************************************
    DO NOT INTERRUPT THE FLASH UTILITY OPERATION
    ********************************************************

 4- Verify the upgrade by viewing the BIOS revision level
    (access the "Product Data" Selection listed in the
    "Configuration/Setup Utility" screen that may be accessed by
    pressing <F1> when prompted during System Boot).

 NOTE: BIOS revision 29A or higher implements the following:

 - Fix for installing SCO OpenServer. Installing
   SCO OpenServer 5.04 (with earlier system BIOS) would result
   in the following error message at the "Hardware Configuration"
   screen immediately after the boot kernel has loaded into
   memory (at the beginning of installation):
   "k_trap - Unexpected NMI in system mode!"

 - Pentium II support (A0 / A1 processor configurations).
   Previous BIOS revisions do not offer A1-stepping Pentium II
   66/333Mhz support, which would result in the following error
   after the Adaptec SCSI BIOS is displayed:

   "167 No processor BIOS found"

 - Language selection function in the ServerGuide boot CD.
   Previous BIOS versions required a work around, implemented
   in ServerGuide, in order to allow users to select language
   desired.  BIOS 29A or higher will allow correct language
   selection.

 - Corrected the ECC algorithm for the processor L2 cache.
   Users must upgrade to BIOS 29A or higher to improve robustness
   of the Netfinity 3500.

 - Added support for CDROM boot catalog menu.

 - Added support for hardfiles greater than 8.4GB.

 NOTE: On rare occasions, the System may experience a hang,
       trap(s), or a NT Blue Screen if using a earlier BIOS
       revision.

 NOTES:

 This is a MANDATORY ECA.

 This ECA will expire on November 30, 2004
 USA:
     IBM TSS CE's should record all time and parts to Service
     code 33, ECA018, Other Office 990.

 EMEA:
     IBM PSS CE's as above.

     Business Partner Servicers should claim using CPPS claim
     type 5, Code "SJ".

 Adaptec is a trademark of Adaptec Inc.

 NT is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

 Pentium II is a trademark of Intel Corporation.

 SCO and OpenServer are trademarks of
 The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc.


   Date: July 21, 1998