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NETFINITY 3500: PLANAR REPLACEMENT and BIOS UPDATE procedure



Subject: NETFINITY 3500: PLANAR REPLACEMENT AND BIOS UPDATE PROCEDURE
Updated Netfinity server RETAIN Tip: 

    Record number:       H162579
    Device:              D/T8644
    Model:               M
    Hit count:           UHC00155
    Success count:       USC0000
    Publication code:    PC50
    Tip key:             002
    Date created:        O98/01/30
    Date last altered:   A99/08/12
    Owning B.U.:         USA

Abstract: NETFINITY 3500: PLANAR REPLACEMENT AND BIOS UPDATE PROCEDURE


TEXT:

When replacing the System Board (planar) FRU P/N 93H7269 on the Netfinity 3500 type 8644 model 10U/10X/20U/20X/21U/21X/30U/30X, the BIOS MUST be updated and initialized.
The 7895 Onboard SCSI must also be initialized. Failure to do so, can result in a system malfunction.

Use the procedure below to replace, flash, initialize and reconfigure CMOS to customer preferences.

Note: Before going on site, be sure to download the current

"Netfinity 3500 BIOS Flash Update Diskette" and
"Netfinity 3500 SCSI Initialization Utility V1.02" from
the IBM Website at the following URL:

http://www.pc.ibm.com/searchfiles.html

SEARCH on: "3500 BIOS Flash SCSI Initialization Utility"

The files are self-extracting executable files that will create the diskettes.

Print the README.1ST (10L9248.TXT) file. The file contains the following:

  1.  Basic Installation Instructions
  2.  Guidelines for replacement start up screen images
  3.  Program Options of interest to system support people
  4.  CMOS save/restore utility
  5.  Important Instructions when replacing the 8644's system board.


Note: The BIOS level may be listed in any of the following formats.
In the example below, all formats refer to the same level of BIOS.

  +--------------------------------------------------------------+
  |    Format        |    Description                            |
  |------------------|-------------------------------------------|
  | BIOS 25A         | Common usage                              |
  | V1.25            | BBS/WEB file name description             |
  | NNJT25Axx        | F1 Setup, Product Data, Flash EEPROM Level|
  | Build ID NNJT25A | (Netfinity Manager, System Information,   |
  |                  | model and processor information)          |
  +--------------------------------------------------------------+


Planar Replacement:

  1.  If the original system board is still functional, save the CMOS configuration to diskette,  using the procedure listed in section 4 of the Readme.1st file on the BIOS diskette.
  2.  When installing a replacement planar, or re-installing the existing planar, care must be taken  to avoid bending the metal "fingers" on the EMC shield.

      When properly seated, thin metal "fingers" will be in place
      over the USB, mouse/keyboard, and Ethernet port connectors.
      For installation of the system board, first, angle the
      system board downward and under the EMC shield "fingers"
      to prevent bending or damaging the "fingers."

    BIOS Update:

  3.  After the system is reassembled, insert the Netfinity 3500 BIOS Flash Update Diskette in the  floppy drive, then turn the power on.
  4.  (If the message "The POST/BIOS code in the system is a newer version than in the diskette..." appears  during this procedure, disregard it and press <Enter> to continue)
  5.  Resolve any configuration or POST startup error messages following the on screen instructions.
  6.  When the BIOS update is complete, remove the diskette from the floppy drive, and press <Enter> to restart the system.

    Initialization and Setting Defaults:

  7.  When the "Press F1 for Configuration/Setup" message appears on the IBM logo screen, press <F1>.
  8.  At the "Configuration/Setup Utility" menu, highlight "Load Default Settings" and press <Enter>.
  9.  Press <Enter> again to continue.
  10.  (At this point, you might also set the correct date and time).
  11.  Highlight "Exit Setup" and press <Enter>.
  12.  Highlight "Yes, save and exit the Setup Utility", then press <Enter> to restart the system.
  13.  When the Adaptec SCSISelect message appears, press <Ctrl><A>
  14.  Highlight "00:09:A" at the "Bus:Device:Channel" menu; press <Enter> to display the "Options" menu.
  15.  Highlight "Configure/View Host Adapter Settings"; press <Enter> to display the "Configuration" menu.
  16.  Press <F6> "Reset to Host Adapter Defaults" to reset the SCSI settings.
  17.  Highlight "Yes" to "Reset All Options to Default Settings?"; press <Enter> to reset defaults.
  18.  Press <Esc>.
  19.  Highlight "Yes" to "Save Changes Made?"; press <Enter> to return to the "Options" menu.
  20.  Press <Esc> to return to the "Bus:Device:Channel" menu.
  21.  Highlight "00:09:B" at the "Bus:Device:Channel" menu; press <Enter> to display the "Options" menu.
  22.  Highlight "Configure/View Host Adapter Settings"; press <Enter> to display the "Configuration" menu.
  23.  Press <F6> "Reset to Host Adapter Defaults" to reset the SCSI settings.
  24.  Highlight "Yes" to "Reset All Options to Default Settings?" press <Enter> to reset defaults.
  25.  Press <Esc>.
  26.  Highlight "Yes" to "Save Changes Made?"; press <Enter> to return to the "Options" menu.
  27.  Press <Esc> to return to the "Bus:Device:Channel" menu.
  28.  Press <Esc> again.
  29.  Highlight "Yes" to "Exit Utility"; press <Enter>.
  30.  Press any key to restart the system.

    Restore Customer's CMOS if backed up in step 1:

  31.  Follow the procedure in Section 4 of the readme.1st
  32.  Initialization of the replacement system board is now complete.


The following standard defaults will now be set:

Start Options: CD-ROM, Diskette, Hard Disk, Disabled Adaptec SCSI
(Max Sync Transfer Rate): 20.0MB/s (Fast/Wide)

Future planar FRUs will include a Netfinity 3500 BIOS diskette and detailed instructions.
Boot to the Netfinity 3500 SCSI Initialization Utility V1.02 (P/N 33L3959A).


Utility directions:

  1.  Boot from this diskette.
  2.  At DOS prompt type "zero".
  3.  When Prompted to choose port, enter "0" for the appropriate port.
  4.  After "A" prompt returns to screen, remove diskette and reboot system.


DETAILS:

Some Planar FRUs are escaping to the field without the proper initialization of the on-board Adaptec EEPROM.
The result of not initializing the EEPROM is that the EEPROM will have incorrect bit assignments and the Adaptec driver will read that portion of the EEPROM and read the incorrect bit assignments, causing the system to hang during Windows NT 4.0 install or load.
The utility mentioned above will ensure the proper initialization of the EEPROM, thus allowing the systems BIOS to assign the proper values to the specific portion of the EEPROM.


Future planar FRUs will include a Netfinity 3500 BIOS diskette and detailed instructions.


TRADEMARKS:

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