upgrading bios s1200 btl

[idata]

Hey,

My board has the nasty habbit of starting and restarting (only once).

It started after after a bios update with server deployment toolkit (which does not autorun anymore by the way)

I want to upgrade the bios using a usb-stick.

when reading the release notes of update with Build Stamp : S1200BT.86B.02.00.0040.092620121113

it mentions that IFlash32.efi and BIOS.CAP have to be copied to the penndrive.

Further down the text it mentions that updBIOS.nsh needs to be run at the end.

- bios.cap is not present on the download

- i asume that updbios.nsh also needs to be copied to the pendrive?

I guess I am missing something?

- what files need to be copied to the flash drive, and

- which scripts need to be activated in what order...

Appreciate some assistence!

[idata]

It's best to unzip the whole dowload package and put it on the USB drive. Can make it a little interesting to navigate in EFI, but it's doable.

As far as which scripts, that depends - read the release notes! ;-)

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=22084&keyword=Intel+Server+Board+s1200btl&lang=eng link

[idata]

Jason,

Thanks for the reply.

The point is that the release notes mention different things, e.g. that a particular .cap should certainly not enclosed...

Did you tried it already?

Did you put the individual files on the pendrive, or the package under directory?

Does it auto install?

Appreciate it!

[idata]

Jason is correct, extract the full file.

I assume you're downloading "S1200BTL/S1200BTLRM Firmware Update Package for EFI"? Just extract the whole directory to the root of your flash drive and boot from EFI. It should autostart with the correct update without you having to type anything (you may however be asked for chassis info during the update).

[idata]

Auto install does not work for some reason?

I set bios on efi mode. Video also on efi mode.

I tried both all files in one folder (as downloaded and extracted). Also tried to put al files individually on the pendrive. It does not auto install.

When going into efi shell, it seems to recognise the usb though?

Silly, what am I doing wrong?

[idata]

Boot EFI with USB attached and follow these steps from the readme

- Run command "map -r" in EFI shell to mount USB disk on key

- Run command "fs0:" to change folder to USB disk on key, USB key may also mount to

fs1:. The number of "fs" is dependent on the result of command "map -r"

- Change folder to the folder storing the firmware package (if you extracted to root then just skip to next step)

- Run command "startup.nsh" to start firmware update process

[idata]

I've done s1200btl in the past. I just download the whole package and unzip to root of the flash drive - per emilec's description. Then I read release notes, which typically say to issue "update.nsh" or "starup.nsh". The actual nish file changes depending on the person who wrote the package. (I guess )

Here is the specific instructions that are following supported platforms. For the record, I generally follow the second procedure.

Update system firmware from Intel server EFI shell by the following steps:

- Download Intel server system firmware update package from support.intel.com

- Unzip package and copy all files to root folder in USB disk on key

- Insert USB disk on key to server USB port

- Reboot server, system will start BIOS/BMC/FRUSDR update automatically

In case for some reason or you didn't put unzipped package under root folder of USB key,

you can do it by:

- Reboot server to EFI shell manually

- Run command "map -r" in EFI shell to mount USB disk on key

- Run command "fs0:" to change folder to USB disk on key, USB key may also mount to

fs1:. The number of "fs" is dependent on the result of command "map -r"

- Change folder to the folder storing the firmware package

- Run command "startup.nsh" to start firmware update process

[idata]

Ok, it worked....unfortunately only partly though.

A bit silly, automatic download/flash starts 10 after having booted into the efi, and 10 sec after the efi prompt appeared.

Unfortunately, it does not want to download ME firmware. The package ME_02_02_00_049-LC.CAP should be flashed, but doesn. In a separate read (for ME) me, it mentions that a package UpdMe_LC should be loaded first. I did that manually (as described) but with the same effect. Fforces ME in to recovery mode.

Error:

>...unable to update Bios..

> ...resetting ME firmware ...

>....bios interface failed - this occurred while read/write to bios.

The issues (reason for updating bios) as mentioned did not resolve, by the way.

Why does it refuse to upgrade ME?

Ideas???

[idata]

Have you tried a different USB key?

Have you tried disconnecting HDD, PCIe and any unnecessary devices before running the upgrade?

Might also be worth removing extra RAM except the minimum you need to boot the system.

You should also try running the PCTs. It might reveal a HW fault.

[idata]

He emilec,

The answers in short: no.

Could it all affect bios upgrade??

I come back with the results.

NB: What are the PCTs?

[idata]

What version BIOS is currently on the system? Reading the nish file directly (startup.nsh), the BIOS flashes before ME. If the BIOS fails, the script exits and ME will not apply.

Finding out why BIOS fails is the key.

[idata]

PCT: Platform Confidence Tests. It's on the downloads page where you found the motherboard update packages.

[idata]

Thank you all for the information so far.

I disconnected all cables and flashed the files. Only the fans where connected.

Everything was downloaded. ME files where not downloaded

I tried another Kinston pendrive. Same story

I tried an integral pendrive. Same story

I switched legacy USB to "auto". Again, same story.

Interestingly, according to the bios I have two mice? When disconnecting it, it still sees one?

When taking out all usb devices, it still sees a drive (pendrive), keyboard (correct), to hubs and a mouse

Dual start did not change. In addition, my key tends to print multiple characters when I push it.

The result is soooometing likeee thhis. Very aaanoying.

Any other ideas?

[idata]

I have exactly the same issue with an Intel 1200BLTR board. It refuses to update the ME firmware. Package I used was: S1200BTL_S1200BTLRM_SUP_EFI_BIOS41_BMC1.16_FRUSDR1.16.zip, and I tried to update using the EFI console.

The system reports I am still on Mgmt Engine (ME) FW Rev : 02.02.00.036

I also can no longer perform a BMC console redirection (my board has the RMM4 module installed) I receive "Error opening video socket" message.

Basically the whole product seems very temperamental.