Flash BIOS update - IBM eServer xSeries 225 (Type 8647) and IntelliStation Z Pro (Type 6221)

Download Description

Severity: Suggested

New IBM xSeries firmware and device driver file naming convention

Extracting and using .iso image files to create a CD-ROM disc

New firmware update file formats

Note: BIOS information under the BIOS configuration and setup menu will remain as BIOS 1.51A after updating to BIOS 1.51C.

Note: Prior to updating your system BIOS, please make sure the following is set in the system BIOS Setup. System installed with BIOS 1.48 or later BIOS level is not necessary to apply follow setting:

Access the BIOS Setup screen by pressing F1 during POST power on. Under:

Advanced Setup --> Chipset Feature --> DRAM Timing Configure

Make sure that the option is set for the following [Manual]
CAS Latency Time [2.5]
Active to Precharge Delay [7 ]
DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay [3 ]
DRAM RAS# Precharge [3 ]

Save Settings and exit.
Proceed with system BIOS flash.

Failure to confirm these settings could result in the system failing to POST and/or Memory LED Errors after a successful system BIOS flash.

If you encounter this scenario, please follow the BIOS Recovery procedure found in the Hardware Maintenance Manual (HMM) for the 6221, 8647.

Version 1.51 - Build OPE151C

• Fixed the BIOS 1.51A update problem if update from 1.50A

Version 1.51 - Build OPE151A

• Corrected an issue where the system would freeze while running the F2 Diagnostic Program only if the system was set to the BIOS defaults previously. This would not occur if a BIOS setting Periodic SMI was set to Partial
• Corrected an issue where the system would not completely boot if a USB key was present
• Corrected an issue where SLES9 would not detect the onboard Ethernet if the BIOS SMI setting was set to Partial
• Corrected an issue that would generate a "1962 - Boot sector error, no operating system installed" when the BIOS startup option was set to USB-FDD as the third or fourth boot device

Version 1.50 - Build OPE150A

• Fixed a potential shutdown issue when a USB 2.0 hub is attached to the system

Version 1.49 - Build OPE149B

• Fixed problem with hangs and freezes in RHEL 3.0

Version 1.49 - Build OPE149A

• Added an option which allows user to Enable/Disable PXE boot priority depends on the usage. System will always boot from PXE while option set as enable. If option is disabled, system will follow BIOS boot sequence setting.

Version 1.48 - Build OPE148

• Fixed issue where BIOS update would result in system hang during POST

Version 1.47 - Build OPE147A

• Updated LSI SCSI BIOS/FW versions 5.04.06/1.03.39.21. Fixed rebuild problem of swapping drives not being detected after system is powered off.
  
• Added FAN 4 monitoring toggle switch for 3.06Ghz/Hot Swap SCSI models
  
• Added fix for false multi-bit errors during POST

Version 1.46 - Build OPE146A

• Set boot from LAN to first boot after wake on LAN to support RDM

Version 1.45 - Build OPE145A

• Corrected spelling error in help text for System Card Data
  
• Enhanced keyboard "stuck key" error detection
  
• Corrected hang when entering the Event/Error Log with a power on password enabled
  
• Changed PCI configuration space access in SMI handler. This could correct intermittent system crashes.
  
• Removed CAS latency option from setup and set correct value

BIOS Version 1.44 - Build OPE144A

• Update processor micro codes (SRV_P_37 for M0 and D1 stepping)

Version 1.43 - Build OPE143A

• Monitor System Fan 4 (SYSFAN4) when processor speed is equal to or faster than 3.06GHz
  
• Updated af.exe to version 8.53.MSI04

Version 1.42 - Build OPE142A

• Disables ASF Watch Dog Timer when RSA installed.
• Adds "Performance Mode" and "Quiet Mode" into "Fan Speed Control"

Version 1.41 - Build OPE141A

• LSI BIOS/Firmware update and fix for bad block issue (please see RETAIN tip H18502 for more information on the bad block issue)
• Updated processor microcode
• Fixed fan speed issue
• Fixed Intel Logo

Version 1.40 - Build OPE140A

• L3 Cache was shown reporting 1M
• 0x18 stopped BIOS from proceeding to next boot device
• Added Intel Logo to display during POST
• Take off the ServeRAID 5i card 10 second delay
• Fixed issue of system may hang when ServeRAID 5i is installed and running at 33MHz
• Fixed issue of IBM Enhanced Diagnostics may hang
• Fixed issue of "8603 - Pointing Device Error" is displayed when USB keyboard and mouse are used without PS/2 devices attached

Version 1.37 - Build OPE137A

• Fixed warm reboot test failure issue for Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, and Microsoft Windows 2000 systems
• Fixed issue where some Windows systems may hang while power cycling when Remote Supervisor Adapter is installed

Version 1.35 - Build OPE135A

• Added support for 3.2GHz/M0 processors (CPUID=F25h, revision 14)
• Added Setup menu option to allow administrators to disable the "F12 Boot Menu" function during POST
• Fixed issue where system with some Firewire 1394 cards may hang during shutdown from Windows 2000
• Fixed issue where updating BIOS may clear MTM, UUID and Serial Number from SMBIOS/DMI, prohibiting software access to this information
• Fixed issue where updating BIOS may cause Setup passwords not to be recognized
• Fixed issue where fans may run at full speed when Remote Supervisor Adapter is installed
• Fixed issue where some PCI cards may not work due to resource conflicts
• Fixed issue where PC Doctor may report incorrect CPU voltage
  

Version 1.33 - Build OPE133A

• Fixed issue where double bit memory errors may not be reported in error log
• Fixed issue where erroneous fan error messages may appear on some models
• Changed Broadcom firmware level to V3.1.15 to fix issue where ServeRAID card option ROM does not load
• Fix issue where Diagnostics test of Systems Management may fail when Remote Supervisor Adapter is installed
• Fixed issue where erroneous system error messages may appear during POST on some systems

Version 1.30 - Build OPE130A

• Improved fan speed control algorithm to reduce system noise during boot
• Modified POST Error Code behavior to prevent warning messages when onboard SCSI or LAN devices are disabled in Setup

Version 1.28

• Add support for latest Intel processors
• Fixed issue where HTec Smart Reader Card causes display resolution limitation of 640 x 480 VGA

Version 1.26

• Improved accuracy of CPU temperature reporting as seen in Setup
• Added Setup item "Delayed Transaction Discard Timer" to allow advanced users to solve DMA performance issues that occur with some 32 bit PCI cards (not recommended for most users)
• Fixed issue where power LED does not power off in certain situations
• Fixed issue where IBM Remote Deployment Manager reboots instead of shutting down as expected

Version 1.25

• Improved fan speed control algorithm
• Updated LSI SCSI ROM BIOS to v5.03.09 to fix issue where onboard SCSI may be disabled when certain PCI SCSI adapters are installed
• Updated Broadcom PXE code to v3.1.15
• Fixed intermittent system hangs when a 06P5740 RAID Adapter is used with OS/2
• Fixed issue where FAN1 error is displayed during POST after rebooting with IBM Server Guide 6.1.3
• Fixed issue where Netware 5.1 CD will not boot
• Fixed issue where machine doesn't power-off as expected with SUSE 8.1
• Added support for F12 to select temporary boot device
• Added support for Legacy USB mode
• Fixed issue where diagnostics CPU test may work intermittently when run remotely using a Remote Supervisor Adapter

Version 1.22

• Fixed intermittent warm boot hang when a Remote Supervisor Adapter is installed

Version 1.20

• Initial release