IBM xSeries 345 POST/BIOS Flash Disk Version 1.06 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 345 POST/BIOS. 1.2 Limitations - N/A 1.3 Enhancements - N/A 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 V1.06 - January 20, 2003 ------------------------ - Added workaround for system hang during RDM OS install with RSA present. NOTE: This problem that exists with previous versions should not prevent remote deployment of POST/BIOS Version 1.06 via RDM as part of an OS install (because the POST/BIOS update is done prior to the OS install process). V1.05 - January 3, 2003 ----------------------- - Added EMM386 support for remote diskette boot. - Added support for 533 MHz-based chipset and CPUs. - Fixed INT 1Ah function to set Real-Time Clock alarm. - Fixed PCI interrupt routing to assign values from Setup menu. - Fixed various chipset errata. - Removed non-US language files. - Updated firmware for Xeon C-1 stepping (CPU ID F27). - Updated PCI error handling. - Updated PXE BIOS to latest version. - Updated reserved resources for ACPI-based operating systems. V1.04 - December 10, 2002 ------------------------- - Added 164 event logging for memory size changes. - Added CPU Prefetch Queue option in Setup. - Added MAC address display in Setup. - Added remote diskette boot support. - Added Front-side-bus parity error handling. - Improved reporting of single-bit memory errors. - Fixed ASF Stop Watchdog command. - Fixed BIOS revision display in RSA utility. - Fixed event logging for PERRs. - Fixed Flash Update Utility bugs. - Fixed Remote Console Redirection bugs. - Fixed RSA remote POST keyboard issues. - Fixed SMBIOS planar device reporting. - Updated SCSI BIOS for tape drive support. V1.03 - September 11, 2002 -------------------------- - Enabled CPU(s) Prefetch Queue to improve performance. - Updated firmware for Xeon C-1 stepping (CPU ID F27). V1.02 - August 15, 2002 ----------------------- - Updated LSI (on-board SCSI) firmware. V1.01 - August 14, 2002 ---------------------- - Added Setup option to disable hyperthreading. - Added support for Xeon C-1 stepping level processors. - Added support for 1301 POST error. - Added local disk support under remote floppy boot. - Updated PXE BIOS. - Updated SCSI BIOS. - Fixed keyboard use during remote boot. - Fixed VPD display in Setup. - Fixed SMBIOS structures. - Fixed ISMP communication after 3-boot fail. - Fixed potential reset problems. - Fixed warm-boot immediately after enabling on-board SCSI. - Fixed other miscellaneous errors. V1.00 - June 28, 2002 --------------------- - Initial release. 3.0 Installation and Setup Instructions The procedure to update the POST/BIOS is as follows: 3.1 Insert the "IBM xSeries 345 POST/BIOS Flash Disk" into drive A. 3.2 Start up or restart your IBM xSeries 345 server. 3.3 The system will boot from the disk and present a window which allows you to choose from various update 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. 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: "xx" refers to the language support. By default the system will flash the English versions of BIOS and Setup if no language is specified. ** 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/ 6.3 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.pc.ibm.com/qtechinfo/YAST-3P2QYL.html. 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.