IBM-AUSTRIA - PC-HW-Support    30 Aug 1999

UPDATED ECA018: MANDATORY BIOS UPGRADE to REV 29A or HIGHER

     Record number:       H163554
     Device:              D/T8644         Service code:      33
     ECA number:          ECA018          Parts source:      BBS
     EC number:           EC000000        Publish flag:      R
     Mandatory:           Y               Hit count:         UHC00067
     Automatic shipment:  N               Success count:     USC0000
     Availability date:   98/04           Publication code:  PC50
     Plant of control:    23              Date created:      O98/04/03
     Tip key:                             Date last altered: A98/07/21
                                          Owning B.U.:       USA


Abstract: ECA018: MANDATORY BIOS UPGRADE to REV 29A or HIGHER FOR 8644

PURPOSE:

This ECA provides for a required flash upgrade to the System BIOS revision level 29a or higher.

THIS IS A MANDATORY ECA

FEATURES:

   Type,                  Machines Affected
   Model,   With          and/or Feature/Device     B/M to be    Service  System
   Stage    B/M           Description               Installed    Hours    Hours
                          USA:
   8644     B/M0000000    NETFINITY SERVER 3500     B/M0000000   01.0     00.3
                          TYPE 8644 , ALL MODELS
                          EMEA:_SAME SYSTEMS:
                          TRAVEL PER SITE: 0.8HR
                          SERVICE
                          PER SYSTEM:      1.0HR


PHYSICAL CHECK:

The System is any Model Netfinity server 3500 Type 8644 with a BIOS revision less than 29A.

NOTE: The BIOS revision level of the System may be determined by accessing the "Product Data" Selection listed in the "Configuration/Setup Utility" screen that may be accessed by pressing <F1> when prompted during System Boot.

PREREQUISITES: NONE

COMPANION: NONE

CONCURRENT: NONE

DETAIL:

If the System meets the Physical Check criteria, flash the System BIOS to 29A or higher using the following procedure:

1.  Prior to going onsite, download the "Netfinity 3500 BIOS flash update diskette version 1.29 (revision 29)"  (or higher) from the IBM Website at the following URL:

     http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/files.html

   •  Select SEARCH
   •  Type 3500 BIOS in the keywords box
   •  Select SEARCH
   •  Select the "Netfinity 3500 BIOS flash update diskette version 1.29 (revision 29)" (or higher) to download

      The file is a self-extracting executable file that will create a diskette.
      In addition, open and print the associated README file to reference during step 3.

2.  Power down the Server, place the diskette in the diskette drive, then power up the Server.
3.  Follow the on-screen prompts to flash the System BIOS.

      *******IMPORTANT****************************************
      DO NOT INTERRUPT THE FLASH UTILITY OPERATION
      ********************************************************

Verify the upgrade by viewing the BIOS revision level (access the "Product Data" Selection listed in the "Configuration/Setup Utility" screen that may be accessed by pressing <F1> when prompted during System Boot).

NOTE: BIOS revision 29A or higher implements the following:

•  Fix for installing SCO OpenServer. Installing SCO OpenServer 5.04 (with earlier system BIOS) would result  in the following error message at the "Hardware Configuration" screen immediately after the boot kernel has loaded into  memory (at the beginning of installation): "k_trap - Unexpected NMI in system mode!"

•  Pentium II support (A0 / A1 processor configurations). Previous BIOS revisions do not offer A1-stepping Pentium II  66/333Mhz support, which would result in the following error after the Adaptec SCSI BIOS is displayed:

    "167 No processor BIOS found"

•  Language selection function in the ServerGuide boot CD. Previous BIOS versions required a work around, implemented  in ServerGuide, in order to allow users to select language desired.  BIOS 29A or higher will allow correct language selection.

•  Corrected the ECC algorithm for the processor L2 cache. Users must upgrade to BIOS 29A or higher to improve  robustness of the Netfinity 3500.

•  Added support for CDROM boot catalog menu.
•  Added support for hardfiles greater than 8.4GB.

  NOTE: On rare occasions, the System may experience a hang, trap(s),  or a NT Blue Screen if using a earlier BIOS revision.

Adaptec is a trademark of Adaptec Inc.
NT is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Pentium II is a trademark of Intel Corporation.
SCO and OpenServer are trademarks of The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc.

Please see the LEGAL  -  Trademark notice.
Feel free - send a   for any BUG on this page found - Thank you.