Firmware Update Instructions
2.2
Preparing For The Update
If you don’t have access to the Alpha Systems Firmware Update CD, you’ll
need to copy the appropriate firmware files to a local computer system.
You will first need to locate the appropriate firmware update files. Look in
http://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/Alpha/firmware/V6.0 for the /as4x00,
/options, and /doc subdirectories for the files you’ll need. The list of files
required is provided below.
The SRM console’s SHOW VERSION command can be used to determine
your SRM console version. The AlphaBIOS console’s version can be
determined either by starting the AlphaBIOS console via the ALPHABIOS
command or by starting LFU via the SRM console’s LFU command. You
can then bypass the update file load sequence by pressing
RETURN
when
LFU asks you to specify a load device. A LIST command at the UPD>
prompt will display the current revision of AlphaBIOS (and SRM) console
firmware.
If you’ll be updating via floppy, you’ll need either a PC with a 1.44MB
compatible floppy drive or an OpenVMS machine with access to a 1.44MB
floppy drive. If you’ll be updating via network (local MOP server), you’ll
need to copy the appropriate files to your local MOP server’s MOM$LOAD
area with appropriate file protection to allow your AlphaServer 4100
system to be served by the local MOP server. You will also need to modify
the file attributes of the downloaded files. See Section 2.2.5 for more
details.
Refer to Section 1.6 for pointers to the DIGITAL Web pages for firmware
release and update information.
2.2.1
LFU command changes
Beginning with V5.3 SRM console AlphaBIOS was relocated to a new
sector in flash ROM. This relocation change affects updates via the LFU
command. Use of the "LFU" command for updates from either CD-ROM,
floppy or the network will require the process to be executed twice if
updating a system running any SRM firmware version prior to V5.3. If 5.3
or later then the LFU need only be executed once.
Note: The LFU update method will fail to properly update to V5.4 or
later on systems running firmare versions V5.1 or earlier and
must be updated to V5.3 first. Please read the information under
Section 2.1 for more details.
For console firmware updates on systems running firmware prior to V5.3
the basic steps required are as follows:
1
Run LFU
2
Update SRM
3
Exit LFU
4
Run LFU
2–2
