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| What is Microcode? |
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System microcode, sometimes called system firmware, initializes, or
sets up, the hardware configuration so that your system will boot up and
operate correctly; it provides the interface to the operating system
software to talk to the hardware. Adapter microcode is the operating
code of the adapter; it initializes the adapter when power is applied
and it controls many of the ongoing operations executed by the adapter.
Device microcode provides these same functions for devices such as tape
drives. |
| Microcode is usually found programmed into electronic modules on the
system board, electronic card adapters, or devices. If these modules
are "flashable", you can update the code electronically rather than
changing the module, entire card, or device. This update is usually
performed using a floppy diskette. |
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Why Would I Need a Microcode Update? |
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There are two reasons why you might want to update microcode:
- We at IBM periodically update microcode to add new function for
your systems and adapters. For example, you might want to install new
system flash microcode to add boot support for a boot device that was
not available when your system was shipped; or you might want to update
the microcode on a graphics adapter so you can attach a new display that
was not previously supported.
- You may want to update your microcode to fix a problem. Even
IBM's rigorous test process does not always catch all of the problems.
Whenever possible, we update the microcode to fix a problem.
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