BIOS upgrade problem

[Jared]

Alright, I tried the manual upgrade method using libsmbios, but the end 
result is the same.  I'm told that the upgrade would be performed on the 
next reboot, but once I reboot it's still reporting the same version.

For reference, here's exactly what I did.  Does any of this look 
incorrect?  Also, at the end it says, "Activate CMOS bit".  Is this 
something that needs to be specifically configured/enabled?  Maybe this 
part of it is not properly enabeled for some reason?

# getSystemId
Libsmbios:    0.12.1
System ID:    0x01B2
Service Tag:  GRTT3F1
Express Service Code: 36511170445
Product Name: PowerEdge 2950
BIOS Version: 2.0.1
Vendor:       Dell Inc.
Is Dell:      1

# modprobe dell_rbu

# dellBiosUpdate -t -f ./bios-2.2.4.hdr

WARNING: packet updates are not fully tested yet for packet modes v0/v2.
          We recommend that only monlithic updates be used at this point.
          You should only use packet mode on v0/v2 systems if you know
          what you are doing (for example, testing.)

Forcing MONOLITHIC mode...

BIOS file matches this system and is newer.

# dellBiosUpdate -u -f ./bios-2.2.6.hdr

WARNING: packet updates are not fully tested yet for packet modes v0/v2.
          We recommend that only monlithic updates be used at this point.
          You should only use packet mode on v0/v2 systems if you know
          what you are doing (for example, testing.)

Forcing MONOLITHIC mode...

Supported RBU type for this system: (MONOLITHIC, PACKET)
Using RBU v2 driver. Initializing Driver.
Setting RBU type in v2 driver to: MONOLITHIC (FORCED)
Prep driver for data load.
Writing RBU data (4096bytes/dot): 
.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Notify driver data is finished.
Activate CMOS bit to notify BIOS that update is ready on next boot.
Update staged sucessfully. BIOS update will occur on next reboot.

--
Jared

On 02/27/2008 09:26 AM, Jared wrote:
> Ok, I can try this approach.  Being able to do it live/remotely is the 
> important thing, as this server is located at a colo facility and 
> anything that requires physical access (such as traditional PC BIOS 
> updates) is not an option.
> 
> Another list member responded as well earlier this morning, asking about 
> my distro.  I'm running Debian (as I explained in my response).  Do you 
> think that could cause this issue?  If so, do you know if there are any 
> plans to make this work on Debian?
> 
> --
> Jared
> 
> On 02/27/2008 08:46 AM, Michael_E_Brown at Dell.com wrote:
>> sorry. that was my only idea. "reboot" should work just fine.
>>
>> You might try libsmbios. The process outline is here: http://linux.dell.com/wiki/index.php/Tech/libsmbios_dellBiosUpdate
>> --
>> Michael
> 
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