H126229 - 9595 TYPE 4 REFERENCE DISKETTE FLASH/BIOS INFORMATION TEXT: 9595 and 8641 systems, which require a Type 4 Reference Diskette, may be encountered with different BIOS versions. The different versions of Flash/BIOS provide support for additional feature enhancements. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>IMPORTANT <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Some operating system device drivers require certain versions of Flash/BIOS. Difficult to diagnose operational failures may be experienced if later versions of BIOS are installed. The greatest probability of this occurring is when direct driver software or operating systems are being used. (Refer to RETAIN Record number H104541.) Prior to "Flashing" a system to a different BIOS version, the customer's original System partition should be backed up to diskette and saved. This will allow restoration of the original system configuration (setup) in the event of an unforeseen compatibility problem. However, the Flash/BIOS version CAN NOT BE BACKED UP from the system to a Diskette. Therefore, before "flashing" a system to a different version, it is recommended that the customer's current version BIOS diskette be available. The versions of Flash/BIOS currently available for 9595 and and 8641 products with a Type 4 Reference Diskette are: Note: 8590 and 8595 systems may be upgraded to the Type 4 processors. BIOS Details Level ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1.00 Initially shipped with the 9595 models xNx, xPx and xQx. Supports 16MB Memory SIMMs. 2.00 Identical to version 1.00, except support for 32MB Memory SIMMS was added. 3.00 Note: Version 3.00 BIOS requires the Reference Diskette to be at version 1.31 and the Diagnostic Diskette to be at version 2.31 or higher. OS/2 2.0X requires a new SCSI Device Driver (IBM2SCSI.ADD) with version 3.00 flash BIOS. Support was added for the following enhancements: a. 90MHZ processor card, FRU P/N06H3739, for 9595 & 8641. b. CD-ROM as a bootable device. 4.00 This version was released, but immediately superseded by version 5.00, which is the preferred replacement. 5.00 Note: Version 5.00 BIOS requires the Reference Diskette to be at version 1.33 and the Diagnostic Diskette to be at version 2.32 or higher. Support was added for the following enhancements: a. Provides support for the 4 GB (gigabyte) hardfile. b. Enables the VPD (Vital Product Data) to display the processor ID and Step level (thereby, enabling a clear determination of whether a Pentium processor with the floating point divide (FDIV) fix is installed. c. Allows disabling of the error reporting log POST error. which is useful during RIPL under some conditions. Resolves the following problems: a. Corrects problems encountered with the bootable CD-ROM attached to the RAID controller, when an additional non-RAID SCSI adapter is installed. b. Fixes diagnostic problems related to the CD-ROM being attached to the RAID controller. c. Fixes problems encountered while running SCSI fixed disk diagnostics with the "read verify" option selected. 7.00 Dated 11/28/95. Superseded by ver. 8.00 dated Jan.1996. Support was added for the following enhancement: a. BIOS code was added to support switching a single keyboard and monitor between multiple systems. 8.00 Dated January, 1996, is the current version. The file name on the BBS is BIOS08.DSK. a. Corrects Date and Time not set problem that only occurs when running OS/2. Device Drivers and recent BIOS versions referenced in this tip may be downloaded from the IBM PC Company Bulletin Board System (BBS), Section 22, by calling 919-517-0001. The current Type 4 Ref. Disk. V1.34 filename is: RF90954A.DSK. The current Common Diag. Disk. V2.33 filename is: RD9095A.DSK. The BIOS version 8.00 Update Diskette filename is: BIOS08.DSK. UPGRADING THE POST/BIOS The Level of POST/BIOS is indicated on the IBM logo screen of the system. Type 4 Reference Diskette versions below 1.31 will be disabled from running on a system with a BIOS version 3.00 or higher to prevent configuration errors and startup sequence errors. If the system is "flashed" DOWN below BIOS version 3.00, AN OLDER REFERENCE DISKETTE WILL BE REQUIRED to configure the system. Back up the system partition before updating the system and SAVE the diskettes. This set of back-up diskettes will be compatible with BIOS level 1, 2, or 3. Also verify configuration information and startup sequence before updating the system. A configuration error and startup sequence error will occur after the update. The new Reference diskette will be required to correct the configuration error. BIOS level 3 and higher: Note: SCO Unix and Banyan Vines will not be able to recognize devices configured on the SCSI-2 F/W Adapter, when the adapter has been configured on a system with level 3 BIOS or higher. This is due to the fact that the internal and external ports are separated. A special version of the SCSI-2 F/W Adapter's ADF (@8EFC.ADF) file is available to allow the busses to be set to a COMBINED state, which overcomes this problem. The ADF file is available by contacting the HelpCenter and is on the PCC BBS in directory 22. It is also available from level 2 support and BBS in other geographies. Bootable CD ROM's are supported. Bootable read write optical devices are supported if the drive is jumpered to enable its configuration as a removable hard disk. The media created (formatted and written) by this bootable optical device cannot be read by another optical drive that is not jumpered to be bootable and vice-versa. Refer to the user's documentation for the specific devices for additional information. FAST POST, set from the configuration menu or from the Logo screen at boot, does not check for the presence of newly added SCSI devices unless F1 is also pressed at the Logo, to invoke the system partition. Newly added SCSI devices may not be configured, nor will an error occur, if fast post is chosen as the default. Enter the System Partition by pressing F1 at the logo to configure the new device initially. The "Change Configuration" menu and the "Set and View SCSI Device" menu allow multiple methods of bypassing POST error messages under various conditions if the user so desires. A configuration error will occur if the system is being updated to BIOS level 3, or higher, from a previous level. The configuration program will attempt to keep a configuration saved from "change configuration" menu when new adapters are added. After flashing with the POST/BIOS diskette and "Updating System Programs" from the Reference Diskette, go to the system partition and select "Change Configuration," and verify the configuration is correct, and "Save." Verify the Selectable Boot Sequence is correct after confirming the configuration. Feb. 01, 1996