CHAPTER 1. Pre-requisite PCI System updates
BIOS code provides the interface to allow your software to
utilize the system's hardware features. A BIOS update is done
through software, and generally does not require any hardware
changes. Some PCI systems may require a BIOS code update to
work properly with high bandwidth PCI devices like the Auto
LANStreamer PCI adapter.
If you suspect that your system needs an update, you should
contact your system provider to confirm that an update is
required, and to get the update for your system.
The system's PCI BIOS is used by the device driver to access
the adapter. The Auto LANStreamer PCI requires a PCI 2.0 BIOS.
Symptoms that might indicate your system needs a BIOS update:
A) The Auto LANStreamer PCI Diagnostics report that no adapter
is installed in the system.
B) The system hangs when the diagnostics start to access the
adapter.
These systems may require an update based on when they were
manufactured:
- IBM PC Server (model 8640)
8640-OPT (Pentium) Requires BIOS level T45 or above
8640-ONJ (486) Requires BIOS level T49 or above
- IBM PC Models 300 and 700 (Pentium® models 6575, 6585, 6875, 6885)
Requires BIOS level 46 or above
- IBM PC Model 300 (80486 models 6573, 6583)
Requires BIOS level 58 or above
- IBM ValuePoint Performance Series (models 6484, 6494
or Models 6482, 6492 with PCI feature installed)
Requires BIOS level 58 or above
- IBM ValuePoint Performance Series (model 6384-189)
Requires riser board FRU #71G2782 installed, or the Auto LANStreamer
PCI Adapter must be installed in the bottom PCI slot only.
- Compaq Deskpro XL (Pentium® and 486 versions)
Requires BIOS dated 8/5/94 or later
- Gateway2000 P5-90 (P54C processor)
Requires BIOS level 10 or above
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NOTE for users of the IBM PC Server, model 8640-0Nx (486):
Some of the earlier models of the 8640-0Nx will not function
properly when the Auto LANStreamer PCI Token Ring Adapter, and
a busmastering EISA adapter are used simultaneously.
If the system hangs after installing the Auto LANStreamer PCI
adapter and an EISA busmastering adapter, the system may need
an updated version of the system planar board (FRU=71G0033).
Customers should contact the IBM PC Company Help Center at
800-772-2227 for assistance. In Canada customers should call
IBM's HelpPC at 800-565-3344.
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NOTE for users of the IBM ValuePoint High Performance
Models 6484 and 6494:
Some of the earlier models of the 64x4 will not function
properly with the Auto LANStreamer PCI Token Ring Adapter.
If the system hangs after installing the Auto LANStreamer PCI
adapter, the system may need an updated version of the PCI riser
card. Customers should contact the IBM PC Company Help Center at
800-772-2227 for assistance. In Canada customers should call
IBM's HelpPC at 800-565-3344.
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NOTE for users of the 90 Mhz Pentium® systems with PCI IDE hard
drive controller. (This includes some early P5-90 systems
from Gateway2000 and others.)
A PCI IDE hard disk controller designated RZ1000BP, PCTech Inc
has been associated with data corruption of data on the hard disk.
This controller chip may be on the system board itself, or
installed as part of a PCI adapter card installed in the system.
For DOS and Windows users, the system BIOS corrects the hardware
problem with the PCI IDE controller. For Windows NT, OS/2
and Novell Netware users, the BIOS is generally bypassed by the
operating system causing the hardware problem to appear.
The symptom is data corruption during intensive hard disk read/
write activity under Novell Netware, OS/2, or Windows NT.
Suggestion #1: Use the ISA IDE hard disk controller, instead of
the PCI IDE hard disk controller.
Procedure:
1) Move the hard disk cable from the PCI IDE
connector to the ISA IDE connector.
2) Reconfigure the hard disk in the system setup
utility to reflect that it is installed on the
ISA IDE controller.
- This will allow either Netware or Windows NT to
function. The performance degradation would depend
on the applications you are running.
Suggestion #2: On OS/2 => change the device driver used to access
the hard disk to one that utilizes the system's BIOS.
Procedure:
1) Verify that the BIOS oriented hard disk device
driver IBMINT13.I13 is on your system,
2) Back up your CONFIG.SYS file
3) Edit CONFIG.SYS, changing BASEDEV=IBM1S506.ADD
to BASEDEV=IBMINT13.I13
4) shut-down OS/2, and re-boot.
- This is the suggested Workaround for OS/2 users.
- Also reference OS/2 APARs PJ14710, and PJ15378
which include discussion of this problem.
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