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Reference section: Alpha firmware update procedure
Updated 2021-03-20, by Martin Borgman
Description of the update of Alpha firmware.
First you have to make certain that your Alpha-computer has the latest (supported) firmware loaded.
In order to do so connect a serial console, or in case you have a alphastation, a monitor, keyboard and a mouse.
After a power-up you should see (after a minute, depending on the speed of your alpha) a hexadecimal
countdown.
If your system is starting to boot,
press Ctrl-C or a break-switch (see the hardware manual of your alpha).
You should see:
>>>
First set some environment variables. The most important are:
- os_type defines the os type. You will want to set it to OpenVMS
- bootdef_dev sets the default boot device. For now set it to "" (no default boot device)
- boot_osflags defines the default boot behaviour For now set it to 0,0
- auto_action defines the default behaviour after a powerup or crash. For now set it to halt
- ewa0_mode defines the ethernet cable and speed settings. Use one of the following settings:
Twisted-Pair
Full Duplex, Twisted-Pair
AUI
BNC
Fast
FastFD (Full Duplex)
Auto-Negotiate
Link to information on boot_osflags.
Make certain you have the right version firmware CD. As you will see in the following example, this doesn't always mean the latest
version of the firmware cd ....;-)
Example of a firmware upgrade on a AlphaStation 200 4/100. In this example you'll see the effect of a boot of OpenVMS 7.3-1 on a
system running firmware rev. 6.7 wich is below the recommended minimum of 6.9. The recommended Firmware CD is not correct...
ff.fe.fd.fc.fb.fa.f9.f8.f7.f6.f5.
ef.df.ee.ed.ec.f4.eb.....ea.e9.e8.e7.e6.e5.
V6.7-2, built on Jan 20 1998 at 09:56:27
CPU 0 booting
(boot dka100.1.0.6.0 -flags A)
>>>^C
>>>show boot*
boot_dev dka100.1.0.6.0
boot_file
boot_osflags A
boot_reset ON
bootdef_dev dka100.1.0.6.0
booted_dev
booted_file
booted_osflags
>>>set os_type OpenVMS
>>>set bootdef_dev ""
>>>set boot_osflags 0,0
>>>set auto_action halt
>>>set ewa0_mode Twisted-Pair
>>>show dev
dka400.4.0.6.0 DKA400 TOSHIBA CD-ROM XM-4101TA 1084
dva0.0.0.0.1 DVA0
ewa0.0.0.11.0 EWA0 08-00-2B-E5-0B-D6
pka0.7.0.6.0 PKA0 SCSI Bus ID 7
Firmware CD 6.2 is loaded in drive dka400:.
>>>boot dka400
(boot dka400.4.0.6.0)
block 0 of dka400.4.0.6.0 is a valid boot block
reading 1082 blocks from dka400.4.0.6.0
bootstrap code read in
base = 1f2000, image_start = 0, image_bytes = 87400
initializing HWRPB at 2000
initializing page table at 1e4000
initializing machine state
setting affinity to the primary CPU
jumping to bootstrap code
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Archived Firmware +
+ +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The most recent firmware update for this platform was issued more than
three years before this CD-ROM was created. The firmware for this
platform is no longer being re-issued on CD. Please refer to Section 2
of the Release Notes Overview booklet that was included with this CD
for a list of systems in this category. Please also refer to Section 6
for a pointer to an internet site where the most recent firmware for
this platform can be obtained from an archive area.
The "bootfile" prompt that will follow this text will show the file
"NOFILE.EXE". The attempt to boot this file will fail since it does
not exist. After the failure, ensure that the system is reset, and
then return it to normal operation.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hit <RETURN> to scroll text, or <CTRL/C> to skip text.
The default bootfile for this platform is
[ARCHIVE]NOFILE.EXE
Hit <RETURN> at the prompt to use the default bootfile.
Bootfile:<RETURN>
%APB-I-FILENOTLOC, Unable to locate NOFILE.EXE
%APB-I-LOADFAIL, Failed to load secondary bootstrap, status = 00000910
halted CPU 0
halt code = 5
HALT instruction executed
PC = 20003d10
warning -- HWRPB is invalid.
>>>ff.fe.fd.fc.fb.fa.f9.f8.f7.f6.f5.
ef.df.ee.ed.ec.f4.eb.....ea.e9.e8.e7.e6.e5.
V6.7-2, built on Jan 20 1998 at 09:56:27
>>>show dev
dka400.4.0.6.0 DKA400 TOSHIBA CD-ROM XM-4101TA 1084
dva0.0.0.0.1 DVA0
ewa0.0.0.11.0 EWA0 08-00-2B-E5-0B-D6
pka0.7.0.6.0 PKA0 SCSI Bus ID 7
OpenVMS Alpha Operating System version 7.3-1 is loaded in drive dka400:.
>>>boot dka400
(boot dka400.4.0.6.0)
block 0 of dka400.4.0.6.0 is a valid boot block
reading 969 blocks from dka400.4.0.6.0
bootstrap code read in
base = 1f2000, image_start = 0, image_bytes = 79200
initializing HWRPB at 2000
initializing page table at 1e4000
initializing machine state
setting affinity to the primary CPU
jumping to bootstrap code
%SYSBOOT-W-FIRMREV, Firmware rev. 6.7 is below the recommended minimum of 6.9.
Please update your firmware to the recommended revision,
which can be found on the firmware CD labeled:
Alpha AXP Systems Firmware Update 6.2.
OpenVMS (TM) Alpha Operating System, Version V7.3-1
Please enter date and time (DD-MMM-YYYY HH:MM)
Please enter date and time (DD-MMM-YYYY HH:MM)
pressed the break switch.
halted CPU 0
halt code = 1
operator initiated halt
PC = ffffffff83204060
>>>
>>>
On firmware CD 6.0 is a newer firmware version for this machine.
>>>
>>>
>>>boot dka400
(boot dka400.4.0.6.0)
block 0 of dka400.4.0.6.0 is a valid boot block
reading 1082 blocks from dka400.4.0.6.0
bootstrap code read in
base = 1f2000, image_start = 0, image_bytes = 87400
initializing HWRPB at 2000
initializing page table at 1e4000
initializing machine state
setting affinity to the primary CPU
jumping to bootstrap code
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ AlphaStation 200/250 Firmware +
+ README-First !!! +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1. Latest Firmware Update Revisions
The latest Firmware Update Bootfile "AS200_V7_0.EXE" on this
Alpha Systems Firmware CD contains the SRM Console V7.0, which
has the following components (* = CHANGED since last release) :
APU 7.0
SRM 7.0
ARC 4.58
PCI Update Utility V1.4
BIOS (SRM) 1.15a
BIOS (ARC) 2.02
VMS PALcode 5.56-2
OSF PALcode 1.46-2
2. Firmware Enhancements and New Features
Hit <RETURN> to scroll text, or <CTRL/C> to skip text.
Console V7.0 contains the following enhancements :
- Updated ARC firmware to 4.58
- Added support for HSG forced failover
- Fixed System banner truncation problem
3. Firmware Anomalies, Restrictions, and Workarounds
NOTE:
If you are upgrading from pre-V3.4 CD firmware or
from systems that are currently running 5.3 SRM
console or earlier please see the release notes for
special information regarding update procedures.
4. AlphaStation 200/250 Firmware Release Notes
If you wish to read the complete Firmware Release Notes
(no longer required for booting the firmware update program)
for the AlphaStation 200/250, they can be found on the
Alpha Systems Firmware Update CD in the following
Hit <RETURN> to scroll text, or <CTRL/C> to skip text.<RETURN>
directories :
On an OpenVMS System:
[DOC]ALPHA200_V70_FW_RELNOTE.PS (PostScript file)
[DOC]ALPHA200_V70_FW_RELNOTE.TXT (Text file)
On a Digital UNIX System:
/DOC/ALPHA200_V70_FW_RELNOTE.PS (PostScript file)
/DOC/ALPHA200_V70_FW_RELNOTE.TXT (Text file)
On a Windows NT System:
\DOC\ALPHA200_V70_FW_RELNOTE.PS (PostScript file)
\DOC\ALPHA200_V70_FW_RELNOTE.TXT (Text file)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hit <RETURN> to scroll text, or <CTRL/C> to skip text.<RETURN>
The default bootfile for this platform is
[ALPHA200]AS200_V7_0.EXE
Hit <RETURN> at the prompt to use the default bootfile.
Bootfile:<RETURN>
ff.fe.fd.fc.fb.fa.f9.f8.f7.f6.f5.
ef.df.ee.ed.ec.f4.eb.ea.e9.e8.e7.....e5.
V7.0-9, built on Mar 18 1999 at 13:41:11
>>>(boot pmem:180000 -flags 0,0 unit=1)
bootstrap code read in
base = 180000, image_start = 0, image_bytes = 800000
initializing HWRPB at 2000
initializing page table at 7fc000
initializing machine state
setting affinity to the primary CPU
jumping to bootstrap code
APU-E Manufacturing Header Incorrect
*** AlphaStation 200 4/100 -- Firmware Update ***
Use HELP or ? for help
Update
Verify
List
Show
DEbug
NDebug
?
Apu-> update
APU-I ARE YOU READY TO PROGRAM (SRM ) ROM DEVICE ? (Y/N) y
APU-I PRECHARGING (SRM ) ROM DEVICE
APU-I ERASING (SRM ) ROM DEVICE
APU-I PROGRAMMING (SRM ) ROM DEVICE
APU-I VERIFY LOADED (SRM ) ROM IMAGE
APU-I VERIFY LOADED (SRM ) ROM IMAGE DONE
APU-I PROGRAMMING (SRM ) ROM COMPLETED
Apu-> verify
SRM ROM verify successful
Apu-> ?
For more information, type: HELP <Topic> or ? <Topic>
Topic Description
----- -----------
Update Update the ROM(s)
VERIFy Verify the ROM(s)
List List ROM device type
Show Show ROM checksum
Quit Quit update utility
Update
Verify
List
Show
DEbug
NDebug
?
Apu-> quit
...Please Cycle System Power pressed the power switch....ff.fe.fd.fc.fb.fa.f9.f8.f7.f6.f5.
ef.df.ee.ed.ec.f4.eb.ea.e9.e8.e7.e6.....e5.
V7.0-9, built on Mar 18 1999 at 13:41:11
>>>show
auto_action HALT
boot_dev
boot_file
boot_osflags 0,0
boot_reset ON
bootdef_dev
booted_dev
booted_file
booted_osflags
bus_probe_algorithm old
char_set 0
console serial
control_disfd enable
control_idema enable
control_irq11 scsi
control_irq12 mouse
control_scsi_term internal
controlp on
dump_dev
enable_audit ON
ewa0_arp_tries 3
ewa0_bootp_file
ewa0_bootp_server
ewa0_bootp_tries 3
ewa0_def_ginetaddr 0.0.0.0
ewa0_def_inetaddr 0.0.0.0
ewa0_def_inetfile
ewa0_def_sinetaddr 0.0.0.0
ewa0_def_subnetmask 0.0.0.0
ewa0_ginetaddr 0.0.0.0
ewa0_inet_init bootp
ewa0_inetaddr 0.0.0.0
ewa0_inetfile
ewa0_loop_count 3e8
ewa0_loop_inc a
ewa0_loop_patt ffffffff
ewa0_loop_size 2e
ewa0_lp_msg_node 1
ewa0_mode Twisted-Pair
ewa0_protocols BOOTP
ewa0_sinetaddr 0.0.0.0
ewa0_tftp_tries 3
ffauto OFF
ffnext OFF
kbd_hardware_type PCXAL
language 36
language_name English(American)
license MU
mopv3_boot OFF
os_type OpenVMS
pal VMS PALcode V5.56-2, OSF PALcode X1.46-2
pci_parity off
pka0_disconnect 1
pka0_fast 1
pka0_host_id 7
quick_start OFF
scsi_poll ON
srm2ctrl
srm2dev
sys_serial_num
tga_sync_green 0
timer_tps 1
tt_allow_login 1
tty_dev 0
version V7.0-9 Mar 18 1999 13:41:11
>>>
>>>show config
Firmware
SRM Console: V7.0-9
show_arc: Can't find Flash Rom containing ARC console.
PALcode: VMS PALcode V5.56-2, OSF PALcode X1.46-2
Serial Rom: V4.6
Diag Rom: V1.7
Processor
DECchip (tm) 21064-3 100Mhz 512KB Cache
MEMORY
128 Meg of System Memory
Bank 0 = 64 Mbytes(32 MB Per Simm) Starting at 0x0
Bank 1 = 64 Mbytes(32 MB Per Simm) Starting at 0x4000000
Bank 2 = No Memory Detected
PCI Bus
Bus 00 Slot 06: NCR 810 Scsi Controller
pka0.7.0.6.0 SCSI Bus ID 7
dka400.4.0.6.0 TOSHIBA CD-ROM XM-41
Bus 00 Slot 07: Intel SIO 82378
Bus 00 Slot 11: DECchip 21040 Network Controller
ewa0.0.0.11.0 08-00-2B-E5-0B-D6
ISA
Slot Device Name Type Enabled BaseAddr IRQ DMA
0
0 MOUSE Embedded Yes 60 12
1 KBD Embedded Yes 60 1
2 COM1 Embedded Yes 3f8 4
3 COM2 Embedded Yes 2f8 3
4 LPT1 Embedded Yes 3bc 7
5 FLOPPY Embedded Yes 3f0 6 2
>>>
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