xp1000 v59 fw relnote

This document, published in February 2001, provides "V5.9 Firmware Update Procedures And Release Notes" for the COMPAQ Professional Workstation XP1000.

Key information includes:

• Firmware Compatibility: A matrix detailing the compatibility of SRM Console V5.9-1 and AlphaBIOS FW V5.70b with OpenVMS (V7.2-x), Tru64 UNIX (V4.0x, V5.0x), and Windows NT (V4.0 on EV6-based systems only). Windows NT is explicitly not supported on EV67-based XP1000 systems.

• Console Release Notes (V5.9-1):

  • Lists components for both non-NT-compatible and NT-compatible console firmware (SRM Console 5.9-1, AlphaBIOS 5.70b, PCI Update Utility 5.9, VMS PALcode 1.88-27, UNIX PALcode 1.83-22, etc.).
  • Highlights enhancements and new features, primarily bug fixes for issues such as system hangs after updating to non-NT Console with "os_type" set to "NT," incorrect XDELTA debugger prompts, X86 Emulation of BIOS Extension ROM-Based Utilities on serial lines, UNIX shutdown stack problems, miscellaneous X86 Emulator bugs, and USB error handling.
  • Adds console recognition for FCA-2xxx Fibre Channel HBAs, fixes graphics keyboard recognition, and improves info when setting xdelta.
  • USB Support: Notes that limited console support for USB keyboards is present but disabled by default due to an intermittent hardware interaction problem, though it can be enabled manually via a console environment variable.

• Firmware Update Procedures:

  • Updating Console Firmware: Step-by-step instructions for updating from the "Alpha Systems Firmware Update CD," with separate guides for Tru64 UNIX/OpenVMS users and Windows NT users.
  • Updating I/O Adapter Firmware: Instructions for updating I/O adapter firmware (DEFPA, KZPSA) also using the firmware CD.
  • Preparing a Firmware Update Floppy Diskette: Detailed procedures for creating a bootable firmware update floppy from various operating systems, including Windows NT, Tru64 UNIX, OpenVMS, and DOS/Windows.