BIOS Flash Update (DOS) - IBM System x3550

Download Description

• New IBM xSeries firmware and device driver file naming convention
• New firmware update file formats
• Extracting and using .iso image files to create a CD-ROM disc

Change history

IBM x3550 POST/BIOS Flash Disk

Version 1.17, GFE149B

• Fixed : Some COM port settings lost after a A/C power cycle.
  
• Fixed : A Windows 2008 hang after installation caused by WHEA.
  
• Fixed : Power policy changing when exiting setup w/o saving settings
  

Version 1.16, GFE148A

• Fixed : Free available PTEs under Windows
  
• Fixed : WHEA status when valid record not found
  
• Fixed : Only one UI number assigned to multifunction PCIe card
  
• Fixed : Intel microcode fix for a potential memory addressing error in 64-bit operating mode; it could cause page fault, data loss, data corruption or other unpredictable system behavior.
• Fixed : Smbios type 17 corruption
  
• Added BIOS version number to file names.
  

Version 1.15, GFE145A

• Added : MRC v1.34
  
• Fixed : Memory bus speed in smbios type 17
  

Version 1.14, GFE144A

• Added : Setup option to ignore PCI adapter Built In Self Test (BIST)
  
• Added : Updated processor patch files.
  
• Fixed : Increased Post Memory Manager pool of extended memory.
  

Version 1.13, GFE143A

• Fixed : Mix-Stepping configuration for C0/E0 processors
  
• Fixed : OS boot problem with 64GB of memory and add-in cards requesting large amounts of resources.
  
• Fixed : Wavy video in graphics video mode.
  
• Fixed : Memory caching setting with 64GB of memory.
  
• Fixed : Updated ACPI tables for DBS.
  
• Fixed : ServeRAID-MR10M card causing error's in the log during soft boot.
  
• Added : Setting for ASU to enable/disable VT(Virtualization Technology).
  

Version 1.12, GFE141A

• Added : Support for processor ID 67A.
  
• Fixed : Incorreced memory size reported at 64Gb.
  
• Fixed : USB keyboard not working correctly in some DOS applications.
  
• Fixed : Ability to see adapter cards installed in PCI-e slot 2 from SETUP.
  
• Fixed : SMBios type 1 structure for wake-up event.
  

Version 1.11, GFE139A

• Added : Support for quad rank dimms
  

Version 1.10, GFE138A

• Added : Created OEM build.
  
• Fixed : Wflash for Windows 2008 64 bit.
  
• Fixed : Lflash for SLES 10 with XEN.
  
• Fixed : BIOS version level report in SMBIOS
  

Version 1.09, GFE136B

• Fixed : Bios setup default for IDE drive installed.
  
• Added : Bios setup option for memory bus speed.
  
• Fixed : ASU tool reports errors.
  
• Added : WHEA support.
  
• Fixed : Memory bus speed in setup
  
• Fixed : Booting with mixed processors with VT enabled
  
• Added : Addressed a specific system halt condition as documented in RETAIN tip H192254 (MIGR-5073771)
  

Version 1.08, GFE135A

• Added : Bios setup option for memory bus speed.
  
• Fixed : CPU speed discrepancy in Linux.
  
• Fixed : Reporting of some single bit errors as double bit errors
• Added : CPU throttle tables for wolfdale and low power harpertown
  
• Added : Imput to BMC for better low power fan control.
  

Version 1.07, GFE134C

• Fixed : Erroneous data detected in keyboard controller buffer in Netware 6.5 debug session.
  This causes keyboard buffer overflow condition.
  
• Added : CPU Support for new Processors (CPUID 674 and 676)
  
• Added : Setup options to disable Processor Performance States (Pstates), and Enhanced C1 Processor Power State.
  See F1->Advanced Setup->CPU Options
  
• Added : Writing on board ethernet MAC addresses to the service processor VPD data.
  
• Update: Memory Reference Code 1.30
  
• Added : Throttle table for 2.0, 2.5, 2.33, 2.66, 2.83, 3.0, and 3.16 Ghz processors
  
• Fixed : USB mouse for webbios.
  
• Added : Modify flash utilities for LAN settings.
  
• Fixed : DOS flash utiltiy to report if insufficent room on diskette to save current bios
  
• Fixed : Cache configuration for G0 processors (CPUID 6FB) that can cause Machine Check.
  It is recommended that you update your BIOS if running these CPUs.
  
• Update: IPMI OEM command for fan control.
  

** This change also has dependency on BMC Level of GFBT45AUS or later to make fan control work. Otherwise, the system memory may run slightly higher temperature when 16GB or more memory is installed in the system.

Version 1.06, GFE131A

• Added : CPU Support for G0 stepping Processors (CPUID 6FB) Fixed : "Try DHCP then use static IP address" in DHCP Control Menu in configuration Utility.
  
• Added : BMC/IPMI object in ACPI.
  
• Fixed : Removed "Always Power Off" option from the power restore policy menu.
  
• Fixed : ACPI_PSD object for Pstate when processors have hyperthreading enabled.
  
• Fixed : CDROM/DVD device spin up time out corrected to specifications.
  
• Fixed : System Hang when planar Ethernet 2 is disabled on SATA system Fixed : With 4GB system installed, system may see lower performance when certain adapters with large non system memory is installed.
  

Version 1.05, GFE129B
Fixed :

• Added : CPU Support for Low Power Processors (CPUID 6F7) Update: Added CMOS Definition for override Service Processor (RSA II) USB Operating System support via ASU utility.
  Update: This BIOS flash image update contains an Intel errata patch to correct a possible processor marginality, resulting in unpredictable system behavior, such as machine check, system hang, blue screen, or kernel panic in Linux. The problem is industry-wide, the exposure is believed to be limited, but IBM strongly recommends that customers install this update as soon as possible to eliminate any exposures.
  
• Added: PCI Option ROM Execution settings are added to DEF file. This will allow PCI Option ROM Execution settings to be altered via ASU.
  BMC Serial Port Sharing option added to CMOS Definition (DEF) file and allow ASU to alter this setting.
  Update: Execution Disable Option is now visible under System Setup Uitlity for CPUID's 06FX. The Default option remains disabled.
  Update: Enabled the Keyboard controller interface to allow legacy Operating Systems to use system reset using 8042 keyboard controller interface. This fixes a Windows 2000 restart hang issue.
  Fixed: Setting DHCP settings in the BMC configuration menu also changes the USB OS setting.
  
• Added: Added Setup configuration option for Power Policy under the BMC configuration submenu listed under Advanced Setup main menu. This option allows user to set the system power policy when AC is restored.
  
  ** This change also has dependency on BMC Level of GFBT41AUS or later to make this option work. Otherwise, the system will remain default to restore previous power state. To setup this option via ASU; will require a version of ASU that supports setting this option.
  

Version 1.04, GFE127A

• Fixed : SMBIOS Type 7 Cache Structure.
  
• With this fix only a single cache entry is shown per installed processor package.
  Fixed : Wake-up Status in SMBIOS Type 1 System-Information Structure CPU ID and Local APIC Version for 2nd CPU in SMBIOS Type 4 structures. This fix will ensure that the correct boot sequence for wake event ( Power On or Wake Over Lan ) is followed.
  Fixed : The default Boot Sequence changed to Network From Normal Boot Sequence when F12 key is pressed to Select Boot Sequence.
  Fixed : System may hang when 2GB or 4GB DIMMs are installed when 3-Boot Failures occur.
  Fixed : RHEL4 Update 4 installation may experience Kernel Panic with dual CPU installed.
  Fixed : Temperature exposer with 1333 Mhz processor with 32GB System Memory.
  This fix also has a dependency on BMC level to remedy the Overheating memory DIMMs.
  Fixed : ServeRAID CD ver 8.30 installation hangs during Boot.
  Fixed : INSERT and DELETE keys work in Serial Over LAN (SOL) and Remote Console support for Adaptec Configuration Utility.
  Update: Memory Reference Code 1.21 ( Added support for NEC AMB ) Update: Enabled Dual Single Channel Memory Support.
  

Version 1.03, GFE123A

• Added : CPU Support (CPUID 6F7) Added : BIOS (CMOSDEF) definition is now part ofSystem Flash Update: Memory Reference Code 1.20
  Update: PXE Code Version 2.8.5 (*note dependencies) Update: SMBIOS Information for new CPU Support (CPUID 6f7)
  
  * Starting with BIOS version 1.03 and future BIOS versions, the backup BIOS will need to be updated one time only. Use of the newer BIOS versions (1.03 and later) with older BIOS in the backup (version 1.02 or previous) is not a supported configuration. When running in such an unsupported configuration and booting from backup BIOS, the system will not have PXE support.
  

Version 1.02, GFE117A

• added: CPU Support (CPUID 6F5 and CPUID F65)
  Version 1.01, GFE116A - added: Woodcrest CPU Support (CPUID 6F6) update: Memory Code version 1.10
  update: Video BIOS
  added: Setup option for Snoop Filter in MCH
  (Advanced Setup : CPU options)
  added: Setup option for BMC Fan Acoustic Mode
  for support of larger DIMMS.
  (Advanced Setup : BMC Settings)
  fix: Advanced Setup : PCI Slot/Device Information menu with RSA adapter present.
  added: BMC serial port settings made nonvolatile.
  

Version 1.00, GFE111A

• Initial Release