Table of Contents
Advertisement
Recovering from a BIOS update failure
The blade server has an advanced recovery feature that will automatically switch to
a backup BIOS page if the BIOS code in the blade server has become damaged,
such as from a power failure during an update.
The flash memory of the blade server consists of a primary page and a backup
page. If the BIOS code in the primary page is damaged, the baseboard
management controller will detect the error and automatically switch to the backup
page to start the blade server. If this happens, a POST message Booted from
backup POST/BIOS image is displayed. The backup page version may not be the
same version as the primary image.
You can then recover or restore the original primary page BIOS by using a BIOS
flash diskette.
To recover the BIOS code and restore the blade server operation to the primary
page, complete the following steps:
1. Download the latest version of the BIOS code from http://www.ibm.com/support/.
2. Update the BIOS code, following the instructions that come with the update file
3. Restart the blade server.
If that procedure fails, the blade server might not restart correctly or might not
display video. To manually restore the BIOS code, complete the following steps:
10. Select 1 - Update POST/BIOS from the menu that contains various flash
11. When you are prompted whether you want to move the current POST/BIOS
12. When you are prompted whether you want to save the current code to a
13. Select Update the BIOS.
48
BladeCenter HS20 Type 7981: Problem Determination and Service Guide
that you downloaded. This will automatically restore and update the primary
page.
1. Read the safety information that begins on page vii and "Handling
static-sensitive devices" on page 56.
2. Turn off the blade server.
3. Remove the blade server from the BladeCenter unit (see "Removing the blade
server from a BladeCenter unit" on page 57).
4. Remove the cover (see "Removing the blade server cover" on page 59).
5. Locate switch block SW2 on the system board (see "System-board switches"
on page 7).
6. Move the BIOS backup page switch (SW2-1) to the ON position to enable the
backup page.
7. Replace the cover and reinstall the blade server in the BladeCenter unit,
making sure that the media tray is selected by the relevant blade server.
8. Insert the BIOS flash diskette into the diskette drive.
9. Restart the blade server. The system begins the power-on self-test (POST).
(update) options.
Attention:
Do not type Y when you are prompted to back up the ROM
location; doing so causes the damaged BIOS to be copied into the secondary
page.
image to the backup ROM location, type N.
diskette, type N.
Attention:
Do not restart the blade server at this time.
Advertisement
Table of Contents
