++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

                    +   AlphaServer 4100/4000 Firmware   +

                    +          README-First !!!          +

                    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



1. Please CAREFULLY read this readme file IN ITS ENTIRETY.





    --> V5.3-1 firmware introduced the relocation of AlphaBIOS.  The

        requirement to run the update utility twice if the firmware is

        updated via any method other than booting the CD lfu image still

        applies to systems being updated to V6.1 that are currently installed

        with any version of firmware prior to V5.3-1.   Please review the

        release notes for update information.



    --> If the base level firmware on the systems being updated is 5.1 or

        earlier, you must first update to 5.3 firmware before updating

        to 5.4 or later firmware.  Please see release notes for details.



2. When updating console firmware, it is recommended that you update both the

   SRM and AlphaBIOS consoles at the same time to insure compatibility between

   versions.





3. Helpful Hints on using the UPDATE and LIST commands



   UPD> update srm*      to update the SRM console firmware.

   UPD> update alpha*    to update the AlphaBIOS console.

   UPD> update *         to update all firmware in your system.

   UPD> update * -all    to update all firmware in your system without having

                         to confirm each update.

   UPD> list             to display adapters in your system that are supported

                         by the Loadable Firmware Utility [LFU].

   UPD> readme           to display this readme file you are reading now.





4. Latest Firmware Update Revisions



   The latest Firmware Update Bootfile "AS4X00_V6_1.EXE" to be released on the

   Alpha Systems Firmware Update CD V6.7, contains V6.1 SRM Console, which has

   the following components:

   (* = CHANGED or NEW since V6.0 release)



    --> SRM console V6.1-1 *

    --> XSROM V6.1 *

    --> OpenVMS PALcode V1.21-2

    --> DIGITAL UNIX PALcode V1.23-2

    --> AlphaBIOS console V5.70-0  

    --> CIPCA FW version A420 

    --> DEFPA FW version V3.20 

    --> ISP1020 FW version V5.57 (included in SRM console)

    --> KZPSA FW version A12





5. Firmware Enhancements and New Features (SRM and AlphaBIOS Consoles)



    -->code changes to fix a problem, not often seen, where CPU3 of a four

       CPU system configuration does not start and fails to join the active

       set under OpenVMS on a boot/reboot followed by a cpu sanity or cpu

       spinwait timer expired bugcheck.





6. Firmware Anomalies, Restrictions, and Workarounds



    --> The MEMORY_TEST environment variable must be set to FULL (default).

        PARTIAL and NONE are not supported.

    --> The B3004-BA and B3002-AB (EV5 300 MHz 2MB cache) CPUs can be mixed in

        the same system. If mixed, you MUST configure a B3002-AB as the primary

        CPU - this is typically CPU0.

    --> VGAs configured as console display devices must be in PCI0.

    --> The system must be reset prior to running LFU from console. Booting the

        LFU off CD-ROM does not require a system reset.



7. AlphaServer 4100/4000 Firmware Release Notes



   Firmware release notes were not updated with this release; they remain at

   version 6.0.  Any additional information for V6.1 is included in the

   00readme.txt file found on the Alpha Systems Firwmare Update V6.7 CD.



   The complete firmware release notes for this platform can be found on

   Alpha Systems Firmware Update CD V6.0 or later, in the following 

   directories:



   --> On an OpenVMS System:

       [DOC]ALPHA4100_V60_FW_RELNOTE.PS   (PostScript file)

       [DOC]ALPHA4100_V60_FW_RELNOTE.TXT  (Text file)



   --> On a DIGITAL UNIX System:

       /DOC/ALPHA4100_V60_FW_RELNOTE.PS   (PostScript file)

       /DOC/ALPHA4100_V60_FW_RELNOTE.TXT  (Text file)



   --> On a Windows NT System:

       \DOC\ALPHA4100_V60_FW_RELNOTE.PS   (PostScript file)

       \DOC\ALPHA4100_V60_FW_RELNOTE.TXT  (Text file)