RadiSys EPC-5A, Hardware & Software Reference Manual

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EPC-5A Hardware & Software Reference Manual
Page C-4
C C
The update process occurs as a self-hosted FBD update when the system can boot to
MS-DOS. The Phoenix update program, PHLASH.EXE, may be executed on the
EPC-5A after it has booted to MS-DOS. The user may initiate the update by changing
to the drive containing the PHLASH.EXE and executing it on the EPC-5A. Note that
the PHLASH.EXE program can only be executed from MS-DOS (and without MS-
DOS memory managers installed) due to its use of protected mode memory access
routines.
When the recovery process is initiated, the boot block proceeds with a floppy update
assuming that a floppy diskette drive is connected. The user is then prompted by
speaker beeps (one long followed by two short) to insert the special BIOS Update
diskette in the floppy diskette drive. If a floppy diskette drive is not currently attached
to the system, then the boot block continually (forever) fails in reading the nonexistent
drive. The user must power down the system, install a 3.5” 1.44MB floppy diskette
drive, and power up the system to continue the recovery process. The diskette is
inserted into the floppy diskette drive and the recovery process is automatically
initiated after the boot block emits three beeps. There is no video display during the
recovery process. The user can determine that the recovery is in progress by a series
of beeps. The first set of beeps denotes the reading of the BIOS image file while the
last set of beeps denotes the erasing and programming of the FBD. A final long beep
denotes that the system is about to reset after having successfully recovered the FBD.
The force recovery jumper, JP1 (FRCUPDT), must be removed after the recovery
process begins and before the recovery process is complete, otherwise a new recovery
sequence is initiated.
The BIOS Update diskette is a special floppy that is created using Phoenix-supplied
tools. It is not intended that this diskette be shipped with each EPC-5A, but only
when the customer requires a System BIOS update.
In any of the above situations, the FBD is not actually erased and programmed if the
BIOS Update diskette is not inserted in the floppy diskette drive. Only the programs
on the diskette contain the actual code that performs the recovery. Therefore, if the
user accidentally selects the “Update BIOS and Exit” option from the setup screen or
accidentally installs the “force recovery” jumper, he may abort the operation by
performing a hard reset (power-on or reset button). Four conditions initiate a System
BIOS update or recovery:
1. The user runs the PHLASH.EXE program from MS-DOS on the EPC-5A, causing a
self-hosted update.
2. The user selects “Exit and Update BIOS” from the “Exit” menu in Setup.
3. The “force recovery” jumper (JP1, FRCUPDT) is installed to force a recovery
sequence.
4. The System BIOS is corrupt, forcing a recovery sequence.