============================================================================ AST RESEARCH, INC. SOFTWARE BULLETIN # 0274 2-16-96 ============================================================================ SCSI Firmware Flash Update for Quantum and Seagate Drives File Name Description SCSIFLSH.EXE Quantum and Seagate Firmware Update Utility This is the initial release of the Quantum and Seagate SCSI Firmware Update Utility. File SCSIFLH.EXE can be found on AST's BBS (817) 230-6850. AST's BBS supports modem speeds up to 28.8k bps. The above file will also be posted on: CompuServe Go ASTSUPPORT AST Worldwide Web Site http://www.ast.com For AST's world wide BBS numbers, see Technical Bulletin # 1500 (1500TB.TXT) on AST's BBS and other On-Line! forums. This software allows the technical user to update the firmware on the following models of SCSI hard disks, resolving some potential problems in RAID configurations, and also under very heavy access in some non-RAID configurations. Drive Model New Firmware Revision Quantum Empire 1080S 1220 Seagate ST31230N 510 Seagate ST32430N 510 Seagate ST15230N 498 This software is designed to work with the following SCSI controllers: - Manhattan P-series built-in NCR SCSI - Manhattan V-series built-in NCR SCSI - Premmia GX built-in NCR SCSI - Manhattan G-series NCR SCSI adapter - DPT PM3224, with BIOS 3.C9 - DPT PM3224, with BIOS 3.C3 - DPT PM3224, with BIOS 3.B - DPT PM2022, with BIOS 2.B, firmware v005B - DPT PM2022, with BIOS 2.D1, firmware v05E.0 - DPT PM2012, with BIOS 1.K, firmware v003.G - DPT PM2012, with BIOS 1.H - Adaptec 1540 or 1542 Please note that it is extremely important to match the DPT BIOS exactly, as data loss may occur if these do not match. If your SCSI controller is not listed above, please contact AST's Technical Support at (800) 727-1278 for assistance. Although, if performed correctly, the firmware update should not disturb any data on the drives, AST highly recommends that all data be backed up before performing this firmware update. CAUTION An ESD Ground Strap should be used whenever handling hard drives or circuit boards. SPECIAL NOTE FOR DPT RAID CONTROLLERS DPT RAID controllers do not allow drives to be updated if they are configured as part of a RAID array. There are two possible methods of dealing with this obstacle: Method A) Using the DPT Storage Manager, delete the RAID Array. Use this software to update the individual drive's firmware. Afterwards, re-create the same RAID array configuration. CAUTION: this method results in data loss. All data which was on the original RAID array will have to be restored from some form of backup media after the array is recreated. Method B) Each drive in the RAID array can be physically disconnected from the DPT RAID controller, and connected to another supported controller, for example the built-in NCR controller in a Manhattan P system. The steps below can then be followed to update the firmware, using the NCR controller. Afterwards, the drive can be reconnected to the original DPT RAID controller, making certain that it is connected in the exact same manner it was originally, and set for the same SCSI ID. This method should not result in any data loss, if performed correctly. FIRMWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE 1. Insert the "Quantum and Seagate Firmware Update" disk in drive A and turn the computer ON. Watch carefully for any display of SCSI Controller BIOS versions, especially with DPT controllers. For example, AST SCSI BIOS Rel 2.B Controller: PM2022A/9X v05B.0 where 2.B is the BIOS version. 2. After booting from the "Quantum and Seagate Firmware Update" disk, select the appropriate device driver for the SCSI controller to be used for the firmware update. If the controller is a DPT, select the BIOS version which exactly matches the controller in your system. (WARNING: Do not attempt to update the drives with the improper device driver loaded. This may permanently destroy the drive's BIOS.) 3. The Firmware Update Utility will display all drives connected to the controller, along with their current firmware revisions. It will then present a menu offering several choices of which model of drive to update. Choose the number beside the exact model of drive that you have. If you are updating multiple drives, choose the type of the first drive the first time you boot with this utility, choose the second one the second time, etc. FOR QUANTUM DRIVES: 4. The program will search the SCSI Bus for Quantum 1080s drives. When prompted to download the firmware to the first 1080s with the lowest SCSI ID, choose "Yes" once. The next prompt will ask if you want to update the next 1080s (if one exists). Choose "No". (NOTE: The system will hang when attempting to update more than one drive at a time with a DPT controller.) Choose "No" to any other drives that are attached. The Update Utility will then download the firmware and verify that the download was successful. This takes approximately 30 seconds. If successful, the utility will exit to DOS. 5. If there are more Quantum 1080Ss to update, reboot and repeat steps 1 through 4. This time choose "No" to the first drive, "Yes" to the second drive, and "No" to all others. Repeat this process until all 1080s drives on this channel are updated. FOR SEAGATE DRIVES: 4. The program will again display all drives that it finds on the SCSI bus. Above each set of drives, the system will display which channel the drive is connected to. When prompted to "Input Channel Number:" enter the channel number above the drive you wish to update, usually "0". The system will then prompt with "Input Device ID:". Enter the "SCSI ID" listed to the left of the drive that you wish to update. The Update Utility will then download the firmware and verify that the download was successful. This takes approximately 90 seconds. If successful, the utility will exit to DOS. 5. If there are more drives to update, reboot and repeat steps 1 through 4. This time choose the channel and ID of the second drive. Repeat this process until all drives are updated.