Common error messages when firmware update through iFlash tool fails

Troubleshooting

Problem

When doing the firmware update through iFlash tool, the user may see one of the following error messages returned: Symptom 1: The IMM has reported a FMRC_INVALID_HANDLE(0xa) return code. (0xa,0x0) Error flashing firmware: 15 Symptom 2: IMM connectivity lost during transfer of firmware update. Error flashing firmware: 15 Symptom 3: Error determining installed version. (0xe) Update has been aborted. Error flashing firmware: 171 Symptom 4: Failed to opena transaction on the IMM. (0xe) Error flashing firmware: 15 In many cases, the symptoms above are not observed.

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H197528

Symptom

When doing the firmware update through iFlash tool, the user may see one of the following error messages returned:

Symptom 1:

	The IMM has reported a FMRC_INVALID_HANDLE(0xa) return code. (0xa,0x0) Error flashing firmware: 15

Symptom 2:

	IMM connectivity lost during transfer of firmware update. Error flashing firmware: 15

Symptom 3:

	Error determining installed version. (0xe) Update has been aborted. Error flashing firmware: 171

Symptom 4:

	Failed to open a transaction on the IMM. (0xe) Error flashing firmware: 15

In many cases, the symptoms above are not observed.

Affected configurations

The system may be any of the following IBM servers:

BladeCenter HS22, type 1936, any model
BladeCenter HS22, type 7870, any model
BladeCenter HS22V, type 1949, any model
BladeCenter HS22V, type 7871, any model
BladeCenter HX5, type 7872, any model
System x3200 M3, type 7327, any model
System x3200 M3, type 7328, any model
System x3250 M3, type 4251, any model
System x3250 M3, type 4252, any model
System x3250 M3, type 4261, any model
System x3400 M2, type 7836, any model
System x3400 M2, type 7837, any model
System x3400 M3, type 7378, any model
System x3400 M3, type 7379, any model
System x3500 M2, type 7839, any model
System x3500 M3, type 7380, any model
System x3550 M2, type 4198, any model
System x3550 M2, type 7946, any model
System x3550 M3, type 4254, any model
System x3550 M3, type 7944, any model
System x3620 M3, type 7376, any model
System x3650 M2, type 4199, any model
System x3650 M2, type 7947, any model
System x3650 M3, type 4255, any model
System x3650 M3, type 7945, any model
System x3690 X5, type 7148, any model
System x3690 X5, type 7149, any model
System x3850 X5, type 7145, any model
System x3850 X5, type 7146, any model
System x3950 X5, type 7145, any model
iDataPlex dx360 M2 Server, type 6380, any model
iDataPlex dx360 M2 Server, type 7321, any model
iDataPlex dx360 M2 Server, type 7323, any model
iDataPlex dx360 M3 Server, type 6391, any model

This tip is not software specific.

This tip is not option specific.

Solution

This behavior will be corrected in a future release of Integrated Management Module (IMM) firmware.

The target date for this release is scheduled for fourth quarter 2010.

The file will be available by selecting the appropriate machine type on the 'Software and device drivers - IBM System x' web page at the following URL:

Software and device drivers - IBM System x

Workaround

Retry the firmware update using the iFlash tool.

Additional information

Symptom 1 is due to an issue that affects the Flash Manager.

Symptoms 2, 3, and 4 are due to lost packets in the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) stack. The error messages vary because the packets loss issue occurs at different stages of the flash progress.

Document Location

Worldwide

Operating System

BladeCenter:Operating system independent / None

System x:Operating system independent / None

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Tips

Common error messages when firmware update through iFlash tool fails - IBM BladeCenter and System x