IBM xSeries 445 POST/BIOS Flash Disk Version 1.18, Build ID: REJT48A 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 445 POST/BIOS. 1.2 Limitations - NA 1.3 Enhancements - IBM very recently discovered a potential data issue on the xSeries x445 (all models). The problem is limited to x445 systems with bios 42B (version 1.15) installed. The problem is corrected with bios 45A version (1.17). IBM is very strongly recommending that customers immediately flash to this level. See Retain Tip H182639 for more details on this issue. - V1.15 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: - 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 V1.18 - February 3, 2005 ---------------------- - Fix for issue when partition descriptor does not match physical configuration - Update required Intel provided CPU microcode F25/F26/F29 - Fix for issue with PCI-X bridge card in slot 5 of a RXE V1.17 - August 25, 2004 ---------------------- - Fix for data issue found in V1.15. (see Enhancements) - Resolved issue booting from remote floppy - Fixed shutdown problem seen when multiple bridge devices are on the same bus - Changes to prevent hang upon enabling memory mirroring V1.16 - July 13, 2004 ---------------------- - Resolved issue where single bit errors in sockets J5-J8 will be reported incorrectly - Changed setup so that Memory fast paths and memory hot add are mutually exclusive - Ensure system state reads correctly after PXE boot V1.15 - May 25, 2004 ---------------------- - LSI BIOS/Firmware update and fix for bad block issue (please see retain tip H18502 for more information on the bad block issue). - Update required Intel provided CPU microcode (see Enhancements) - Changes to correct memory timing issues - Resolved issue with specific memory layout and performance settings V1.14 - April 19, 2004 ---------------------- - Update required Intel provided CPU microcode F26 - Removed support for automatic configuration of RXE Expansion box - Resolved issue when doing a remote BIOS flash of a 16way using RSA I V1.13 - March 26, 2004 ---------------------- - Changes to ensure correct values returned from the flash utility - Update required to support Hynix "AQ" level L4 cache chips. - Resolved latency issue in communication with RAS II adapter - Changes to fix incorrect BIOS version reported in SMIBIOS - Changes to fix incorrect memory size being reported in specific configurations - Performance improvements in memory access V1.12 - February 27, 2004 ---------------------- - Update required Intel provided CPU microcode F25/F26 - Resolved HCT stress failure V1.11 - January 29, 2004 -------------------------- - Resolved issue when system is configured with large amounts of memory (36GB) on the lower SMP Expansion Module, and memory on the top SMP Expansion Module is not configured and/or seen by the BIOS. - Resolved intermittent system hang condition when running in high stress environments in single and dual SMP Expansion Module configurations. V1.10 - December 22, 2003 -------------------------- - Add support for Remote Supervisor II-EXA Adapter V1.04 - December 19, 2003 ---------------------- - Changes to fix problem when NT4.0 fails to load device driver when ethernet card is in slot 1. - Changes to fix problem of memory error LED not being turned off when error is reset. - Add support to automatically configure RXE Expansion Box. (Note: RS-485 jumper must be removed) - Add support for Xeon MP F26 4M cache processors. V1.03 - December 18, 2003 ---------------------- - Update required to support Hynix "AQ" level L4 cache chips. V1.02 - July 21, 2003 ---------------------- - Update required Intel provided CPU microcode for F11, F27, and F29 step CPUs to level 09, 38, and 15 respectively. V1.01 - June 24, 2003 ---------------------- - Changes to fix problem encountered during install of MS Windows Server 2003. System intermittently failed to automatically reset during an install of the operating system. - Changes to fix problem associated with 16way configuration with a shared RXE 100 Expansion option. During repeated power cycling or warm booting, system intermittently failed to configure upper SMP Expansion module on secondary chassis. - POST messages added to identify automatic disabling of Active Memory(tm) Mirroring as a result of system errors or invalid configurations. V1.00 - June 1, 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 445 POST/BIOS Flash Disk" into drive A. 3.2 Start up or restart your IBM xSeries 445 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.