In-Reply-To: 
From: "Mike O'Connor" 
@X-Yahoo-Profile: mikeoconwarp
@Mime-Version: 1.0
@Mailing-List: list os2hardware{at}yahoogroups.com; contact
os2hardware-owner{at}yahoogroups.com
@Delivered-To: mailing list os2hardware{at}yahoogroups.com
@Precedence: bulk
@List-Unsubscribe: 
@Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2003 17:01:44 +1000
Subject: Re: AHA-2940UW BIOS flash?
Reply-To: os2hardware{at}yahoogroups.com
@Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
@Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Charles McCallister wrote:

>Mike O', 
>
>
> > Anyone out there flashed a 2940UW with BIOS-update 
>
>
>Yes, but I cannot now remember the BIOS version I used. I got the BIOS
>flashed  (make absolutely sure you keep a copy of the present BIOS version)
>
The Adaptec flash4.exe and flash5.exe both take a copy of the current 
bios image and save it to the DOS-bootable floppy that it's running 
from, before flashing the BIOS. The main thing is not to have any cables 
attached to the HBA whilst doing it. I also slid the power-latches on my 
EIDE removable-HDD-drawers, just to obviate any signals going to the 
incorrect firmware.

>with the  newest version at the time, about 18 months ago or more, but when
>I next  booted the box the BIOS never successfully loaded, i.e. it stalled
>never  moving past the peripherals scan and hung just where it would
>normally show on  the monitor "BIOS successfully loaded", or
something of
>the sort. Anyway, it  was just before the hand-off to the first loading of
>the operating system. I  was sorely disappointed and must've deleted that
>BIOS version from my hard  drive because I cannot now locate the file to
>ascertain the version number. 
>
Another Guy, Mark just experienced the same thing with an AHA-29402UW 
going up to the same level as the version 3.10.0 BIOS for the 2940UW.  
Only after getting more information from him, did I suddenly remember 
that the exact same happened to me also the initial time it booted [or 
almost did] after the flashing - I pressed C-A-D and the next warmboot 
ran to completion and has been running ever since. So I would urge you 
to tryagain, and this time do two boots with it in the BIOs - the memory 
organisation is completely different to the previous generation of 
Adaptec BIOSes, and the docs tell you that it's normal to have more than 
one reboot.

Well you would have seen the reference to the availability of v 3.10.0 
on this list yesterday, putthere by Harald Kamm.

>Anyway, just so as to caution you about flashing the adapter BIOS, I'd go 
>slowly and keep a copy of the present BIOS version so you can revert back 
>without much trouble. Good luck and let me know if you're successful
>because I  may try it again on this now old box. I'm not sure exactly what
>benefit a  newer BIOS version will be at this point (I have only a 200MHz
>CPU on the  board)
>
One of mine is "only" 90Mhz Pentium - but that's still a lot faster than 
the 486 that was in there.

> because I don't think it'll increase the speed of the
>system at all,  possibly allowing newer peripherals to coexist, but I doubt
>even that. 
>
>BTW, why are you wanting to flash your adapter in the first place other
>than  to have your hardware at the newest versions possible?  
>

It was the original 1996 BIOS - things change in the 5 years up to 2001 
when 3.10.0 came out - with more advanced features.  from the history 
with the 2940AU, it's too late now to get a new EPROM - except by 
burning one - non cost-efficient - could buy a more recent one on eBay 
for less money.   it appears from a quick look as though one Adaptec 
SCSI-BIOS V3.x can handle multiple 2940U/UW HBAs  with the one interface.

Hi Charles,

Been here for past 24 straight and eyes are getting weary, so will 
respond to the second part later, after some shut-eye.

-- 
Regards,
Mike

Failed the exam for
--------------------
MCSE - Minesweeper Consultant and Solitaire Expert
--------------------



------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~-->
Buy Naturally Painless & Spray Away Backaches & Joint Pain. $19.97
http://www.challengerone.com/t/l.asp?cid=2867&lp=m331.html
http://us.click.yahoo.com/tJIe0D/79VGAA/ySSFAA/9rHolB/TM
---------------------------------------------------------------------~->

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
os2hardware-unsubscribe{at}yahoogroups.com

 

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ 



---