Flash BIOS update v1.71a (DOS package) - IBM System x3400, x3500

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

Severity: Suggested

Change history

Version 1.71, Build ID: SPE171A
Problem(s) Fixed:

• Fixed a problem that system hangs with Elpida FBDIMM (density using IDTs AMB).
  
• Fixed a problem that VMware ESX 4.0 VM install fails with a message saying "this CPU is not compatible with x64 mode."
  

Enhancements:

• Modify USB device detect message during the POST from USB 1.1 to USB.
  
• Intel CPU Micro Code update.
  

Limitations:
Dependencies:

Version 1.69, Build ID: SPE169A
Problem(s) Fixed:

• Fixed an issue that BIOS fails to get UI number when using DSA tool on Window 2008.
• Fixed a problem that BIOS didn't correctly show and log "199 Processor technology mismatch detected" in POST Startup Error, POST Error Log and RSA Event Log when 199 error generated, but showed "1785 Fixed disk 5 failure" instead.
• Fixed a problem that RedHat 5.0, 5.1, 5.2 (x86, x64, xen kernels) showed AE_NOT_FOUND (of ACPT) in the dmesg system log file.
• Fixed a problem that BIOS can't log EMET POST message/error code 187 when system box serial number is all 0's.
• Fixed a problem that it is not possible to set the NetXtreme II 1000 Express Ethernet Adapter P/N 39Y6066 to automatically PXE boot from the adapter by changing the Primary Startup Sequence parameters in BIOS as the NIC is not shown and therefore cannot be selected as a bootable device.

Enhancements:

• Support SATA interposer card.

Limitations:
Dependencies:

Version 1.68, Build ID: SPE168A
Problem(s) Fixed:

• Fixed a problem that BIOS setup option can not display "Thermal monitor 2" when Intel E5420 E0-stepping CPU is plugged.

Enhancements:
Limitations:
Dependencies:

Version 1.67, Build ID: SPE167A
Problem(s) Fixed:

• Fixed an issue that during BIOS POST, system will show "1807 Planar device did not respond or disabled by user" when installing and enabling Bletchley Park raid card with onboard Aurora disabled
  
• Fixed a problem where BMC OEM defined format is incorrect
  
• Fixed a problem When issuing a ping command test by itself with a specific processor (Dempsy 3.0GHz FSB 667), a negative PING time may be returned
  

Enhancements:

• Add CPU micro-code for Intel 5450 E stepping support
  

Limitations:
Dependencies:

Version 1.65, Build ID: SPE165A

Problem(s) Fixed:

• Fixed an issue that BIOS menu shows incorrect "planar ethernet" information when the system installs NetXtreme II 1000 Express Ethernet Adapter(39Y6066).
• Fixed an issue that the PING command has negative value of packet response time in windows 2003 when the system installs Intel Xeon Processor 5050.

Enhancements:

• Added support for new 1Gb-based AMB+ DIMMs.

Limitations:
Dependencies:

Version 1.64, Build ID: SPE164C

Problem(s) fixed:

• Fixed an issue that SMBIOS showed only one CPU information when the system installs two Intel Xeon 2.50 GHz/1333MHz E5420.

Enhancements: none.
Limitations: none.
Dependencies: none.

Version 1.63, Build ID: SPE163A

Problem(s) fixed:

• Addressed a specific system halt condition as documented in RETAIN tip H192254.

Enhancements:

• Enhanced the memory DIMM information in SMBIOS.
• Enhanced Intel Xeon Processors 5100/5300 performance.

Limitations: none.
Dependencies: none.

Version 1.62, Build ID: SPE162A

Problem(s) fixed:

• Fixed an issue that System always boot from MegaRAID Adapter when you insert 3 Adapters.
• Fixed an issue that the removable devices will be not shown in the BIOS Setup Menu.
• Fixed an issue that BIOS setup menu will become disorder with serveRAID 8S adapter.
• Fixed an issue that the System will generate the PERR when you put PCIe U320 adapter in Slot 2 or slot 3.
• Fixed an issue that the System will automatically power ON after the power cord plug into the system.

Enhancements:

• Added support for Intel Xeon Processors 5400 Series.
• Added Support for IBM SAS LSI 1068E HBA Controller

Limitations: none.
Dependencies: none.

Version 1.59, Build ID: SPE159A

Problem(s) fixed:

Enhancements:

• Added support for 3 TVISS4E-ext Video Capture Boards on the system.

Limitations: none.
Dependencies: none.

Version 1.56, Build ID: SPE156A

Problem(s) fixed:

• Fixed an issue when extracting a windows flash or a linux flash file to a floppy in BIOS version 1.55.
  
• Fixed an issue that both PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 mouse are not functional when the "Mouse" setting in BIOS is "Not Installed".

Enhancements:

• Added support for CPU Mixed stepping of Intel Xeon Processors 5100/5300 Series.
  
• Added support for Microsoft keyboard model X-809745-100 that has both USB and PS2 connection on it.
  

Limitations: none.
Dependencies: none.

Version 1.55, Build ID: SPE155A

Problem(s) fixed:

• Fixed an issue where the system will hang at the system summary screen after the customer disables the mouse , and then three consecutive boot failures occur.
• Fixed an issue that the system will have a kernel panic with an IBM Ultra320 SCSI Controller 2 and two NetXtreme 1000 T Dual Port Ethernet Adapter cards installed.

Enhancements:

• Added support for new Fully Buffered DIMMs with NEC AMB (Advanced Memory Buffer).
• Added support for ASU 2.01, the ASU definition file is integrated into the BIOS image.
• Added support for PCI-X speed selection,Auto and 100Mhz,in BIOS setup.
• Added support for keeping the HostRaid settings during 3 consecutive boot failure.
• Added support for keeping the same System Board ID in both VPD and SMBIOS.

Limitations: none.
Dependencies: none.

Version 1.53, Build ID: SPE153A

Problem(s) fixed:

• 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.
• Updated Video BIOS to fix an issue that causes excessive PCI traffic under video-stress testing and can lead to stress-test failures in rare circumstances.

Enhancements:

• Added support for TCB-300x Trapper/Compressor Board.
• Added support for MegaRAID 8480 SAS Controller.
• Added support for IBM rtVMS - ISS TVISS4E-ext Video Capture Board.
• Added support for IBM rtVMS - ISS TVISS4X-ext Video Capture Board.

Limitations:

• MegaRAID 8480 SAS controller can't insert on PCI Slot 1.

Dependencies: none.

Version 1.51, Build ID: SPE151A

Problem(s) fixed:

• Fixed an issue in which BIOS displays CPU speed as 2.30GHz when you use 2.33GHz processor.
• Fixed an issue in which there is a time skew between the RSA clock and system clock after power cycling.
• Fixed an issue in which a USB KVM switch or any USB device causes a black screen hang while rebooting.

Enhancements:

• Added support for Intel Xeon Processors 5335/5345/5355.
• Added support Dual Single Mode for memory performance when you insert two memory DIMMs on DIMM 1 and DIMM 7.
• Added the hot key "ESC" to skip the memory count during POST for fast boot.

Limitations: none.
Dependencies: none.

Version 1.43, Build ID: SPE143A

Problem(s) fixed:

• Fixed an issue where there is an incorrect error code 1604 "Machine type mismatch detected" when you flash BIOS from previous version 1.26,1.34 or 1.37 to version 1.40.

Enhancements:

• Added support for Intel Xeon Processors 5310/5320.

Limitations: none.
Dependencies: none.

Version 1.40 - Build SPE140A

Problem(s) fixed:

• Fixed an issue where the memory fault LED comes on when the Mirrored memory feature is enabled and multi-bit memory errors are encountered. Before only one LED would come on, instead of all of them, since you are in Mirroring mode.
• Corrected an issue where the BIOS did not send the correct memory disable message, or pointed out the incorrect DIMM slots, to the BMC (Baseboard Management Controller) when a double bit memory error occurred.
• Fixed a problem where pressing the combined keys (ESC + SHIFT + 2) failed to force the machine into the boot menu during POST when using console redirection.
• Updated memory reference code to fix memory errata.

Enhancements:

• Enhanced the solution of the error code 1604 "Machine type mismatch detected".
• Support an option in the system BIOS to disable/enable the ROM scan on a PCI slot so that the option ROM of the adapter does not load, which will help to eliminate 1801 POST errors.

Limitations: none.
Dependencies: none.

Version 1.37 - Build SPE137A

Problem(s) fixed:

• Fixed the problem that PC-DOS 7.10 in ServerGuide Toolkit is not loading from USB Floppy.
• Fixed the popup message when PS/2 Mouse& Keyboard are not present.
• Fixed the problem that the system will show error message 00019501 after restoring AC power.

Enhancements:

• Added support for the IBM System x3400 (Type 7973, 7974).
• Added support for Intel Xeon Processors 5050/5150/5160.
• Added support for Intel VT(Virtualization Technology) feature.
• Added support for RSA II to log error codes, 1801,1802,1803,1804,1962,00019501,00019502,01298000, 01298001 and I9990301.

Limitations: none.
Dependencies: none.

Version 1.34 - Build ID: SPE134A

Problem(s) fixed:

• Fixed the problem that the screen will be shifted under DOS.
  
• Fixed incorrect information in BMC log when PCI PERR/SERR happened.
• Fixed the problem that BIOS cannot generate POST Message 062 if AC power didn't lose.
  
• Fixed the problem that the Lightpath "CONFIG Error" LED wasn't blinking when the speed of two processors are mismatch.
  
• Fix required to allow the RSA II "Vital Product Data" section of the web interface to properly show Video information.
  

Enhancements:

• Initial support for the IBM System x3400.
  
• Added support for Intel Xeon Processors 5110/5120/5130/5140.
  
• Added support for Single beep to indicate the successful completion of the POST.
  
• Added support to identify PCI slot error.
  
• Added support to contain the Installed Memory and Available Memory Item on BIOS setup screen.
  
• Added support that all POST and run-time events shall be logged to RSA II.
  

Limitations:

• BIOS will be loaded default setting,and show error message 162 at first boot when users update BIOS from 1.26 to 1.34 on the IBM System x3500 system platform. There is no more error message 162 on next boot.

Dependencies: none.

Version 1.26 - Build ID: SPE126A

• Initial release