Type 4 processor board READ004.ME 6/22/94 ____________________________________________________________________ Upgrading the POST/BIOS to Bios level >= 3. ____________________________________________________________________ The Level of POST/BIOS is indicated on the IBM logo screen of the system. The Reference Diskette for type 4 processors at version 1.30 will be disabled from running on a system with a BIOS revision level less than 3 to prevent configuration errors and startup sequence errors. If the system is flashed DOWN below BIOS level 3, 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 will be a level that runs on BIOS level 0, 1, or 2. 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 information. ____________________________________________________________________ OS2 2.0+ will require the updated IBM2SCSI.ADD on the POST/BIOS diskette. The number of physical Scsi devices is 15 maximum per SCSI-2 fast and wide adapter and 7 per other SCSI adapter. 8 adapters of any type may be installed in the system. Although the maximum devices supported in the system is theoretically 120 on 8 adapters, other factors, including the type of devices (optical, etc.), cooling, power consumption, etc., will limit the system maximum. A more practical system maximum would currently be about 40-50 devices. Consult system documentation for the supported maximum. Addressing and drive letters are in slot, bus, ID order. Internal devices connected to a SCSI-2 fast/wide adapter are assigned operating system drive letters before drives on the external bus of the same adapter.The SCSI-2 adapter can address 15 fast and wide devices internally or externally in any combination. Narrow devices have a maximum of 8 addresses, so seven internal and seven external is maximum. Bootable CD ROM's are supported. Bootable read write optical device is supported if the drive is jumpered to be configured as a removable hard disk. The media formatted and written to by this optical device cannot be read by a drive that is not jumpered to be bootable and vice versa. Refer to the documentation for the drive. FAST POST set from the configuration menu or from the logo does not check for the presence of newly added SCSI devices unless F1 is also pressed at the logo, indicating the need for a system partition. Newly added SCSI devices may not be configured nor 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 from a previous level. Configuration 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, from the system partition choose change configuration, verify all is correct, and save configuration. Verify the startup sequence is correct after configuration is correct. End of Text.