IBM System x3550 Windows BIOS Update
               Installation README File


CONTENTS
________

       1.0   Overview
       2.0   Installation and Setup Instructions
       3.0   Configuration Information
       4.0   Unattended Mode
       5.0   Web Sites and Support Phone Number
       6.0   Trademarks and Notices
       7.0   Disclaimer

       1.0   Overview

              1.1  This README file contains the latest information about
                   installing the IBM System x3550 POST/BIOS.

              1.2  Limitations: N/A

              1.3  Enhancements: N/A
              
              1.4  Recommendations and Prerequisites for the Update: N/A
              
              1.5  Dependencies N/A
              


       2.0   Installation and Setup Instructions

             2.1   Step by step instructions for this code update (GUI)

                   - Run the "IBM System x3550 Windows BIOS Update"
                     by double-clicking the .EXE.

                   - Choose "Perform Update" and click the "Next" button.

                   - If the update is meant for the system on which it is
                     running, the "Next" button will appear.  Click the "Next"
                     button to continue.

                   - Click the "Exit" button.

             2.2   Step by step instructions for extracting the Windows update
                   files (GUI)

                   - Run the "IBM System x3550 Windows BIOS Update"
                     by double-clicking the .EXE.

                   - Choose "Extract to Hard Drive" and click the "Next"
                     button.

                   - Choose a directory into which the Windows update files
                     will be saved in the "Save As" dialog.

                   - The files extracted are all the files that are necessary to 
                     perform a BIOS update under Windows.  Run "wflash" from a
                     command line to update BIOS on 32-bit Windows or "wflash64"
                     from a command line to update BIOS on 64-bit Windows.

                   - Click the "Exit" button.

             2.3   Step by step instructions for extracting the DOS update
                   files to diskette (GUI)

                   - Run the "IBM System x3550 Windows BIOS Update"
                     by double-clicking the .EXE.

                   - Choose "Extract to Floppy" and click the "Next"
                     button.

                   - Place a diskette in the A: drive and press the "OK" button.
                     
                   - The diskette created is the DOS BIOS update diskette.

                   - Click the "Exit" button.

             2.4   Step by step instructions for extracting the DOS update
                   files to diskette (command line)

                   - Run the "IBM System x3550 Windows BIOS Update"
                     with the following command line:
                     
                        "<update>.exe -a -xd <drive>" where <update>.exe is the
                        downloaded update and <drive> is the drive to which the
                        DOS update files will be extracted.


       3.0  Configuration Information

       
       4.0   Unattended Mode

             4.1   Performing the update in unattended mode

                   - Run the "IBM System x3550 Windows BIOS Update"
                     with the following command line:
                     
                        "<update>.exe -s -a -s" where <update>.exe is the
                        downloaded update.

             4.2   Extracting the Windows update files in unattended mode
             
                   - Run the "IBM System x3550 Windows BIOS Update"
                     with the following command line:
                     
                        "<update>.exe -s -a -x <path>" where <update>.exe is the
                        downloaded update and <path> is the path to which the
                        Windows update files will be extracted.

             4.3   Running extracted Windows update files in unattended mode

                   - Extract the Windows update files using Section 3.2
                     or Section 5.2 of this readme.

                   - Run "wflash" from a command line to update BIOS on 32-bit
                     Windows or run "wflash64" from a command line to update
                     BIOS on 64-bit Windows.

       5.0  Web Sites and Support Phone Number

              5.1  IBM Support Web Site:
                   http://www.pc.ibm.com/support

              5.2  IBM Marketing Web Site:
                   http://www.pc.ibm.com/ww/eserver/xseries/

              5.3  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.


       6.0  Trademarks and Notices

              6.1  IBM and the e(logo) are registered trademarks of 
                   International Business Machines Corporation.
                   
              6.2  U.S. Government Users Restricted Rights - Use, duplication
                   or disclosure restricted by GSA ADP Contract with IBM
                   Corporation.  IBM web site pages may contain other 
                   proprietary notices and copyright information which should
                   be observed.

       7.0  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 PANTENTS OR
                  COPYRIGHTS.