=============================================== Release Notes for Phoenix BIOS on EKF CD2-BEBOP =============================================== This file describes changes, extensions and bug fixes made in the Phoenix BIOS for EKF CD2-BEBOP. Modification summary (in chronological order, latest at bottom of this file): ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2004-11 : Started Phoenix BIOS adaption for CD2-BEBOP 2004-12-03: First BIOS release, Build #028 production ===================================================================================== - Added setup option to enable or disable on-board SATA Controller SiImage 3512A Setup (F2): Advanced -> PCI Device Configuration -> SATA - Bus 2, Dev 5, Func 0 The SATA Controller is enabled by default! - Added boot support for on-board SATA Controller SiImage 3512A Setup (F2): Advanced -> Expansion ROM Configuration -> SATA SiI3512 Boot BIOS Note: SATA Expansion ROM is disabled by default! - Added setup option to enable or disable devices inserted in on-board PMC slot Setup (F2): Advanced -> PCI Device Configuration -> PMC Slot - Bus 2, Dev 0 PCI devices inserted in PMC Slot are enabled by default! - Added USB Configuration menu - Default for VGA Display Mode is now 'Text' (Mode 3) Setup (F2): Advanced -> Graphics Device Configuration -> POST Video Mode If Setup option 'Main -> BIOS Options -> Boot-time Diagnostic Screen' must be set to 'Disabled' (Logo), VGA display mode must be set to 'Graphical' 2004-12-10: BIOS release, Build #030 production ===================================================================================== - Added support for individual disable and enable of all six USB ports Setup (F2): Advanced -> USB Configuration -> USB Port [1-6] USB ports 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 are enabled by default. USB port 4 for On-Board USB Flash device is disabled by default. - Added support for RAID BIOS for on-board SATA Controller SiImage 3512 Setup (F2): Advanced -> Expansion ROM Configuration -> SATA SiI3512 Boot BIOS Now Select 'Disabled' (= Default), 'IDE BIOS' or 'RAID BIOS' 2004-12-23: BIOS release, Build #032 production ===================================================================================== - Suitable to SATA 3512 BIOS selected in Setup, the correct PCI Sub-Class Code is now written to on-board SATA Controller 3512. If 'RAID BIOS' is selected, it is now possible to configure two SATA devices as RAID 0 or 1 in BIOS Setup. - Added support to display messages and prompts in legacy black and white color Setup (F2): Main -> BIOS Options -> Messages/Prompts colored - Added feature to allow to disable boot from USB 2.0 devices in high-speed mode (480 Mbit/s) Setup (F2): Advanced -> USB Configuration -> Boot from USB 2.0 Devices Notice if this option is set to Disabled, then ... a) Boot from USB 2.0 devices in low-speed (1.5 Mbit/s) and full-speed (12 Mbit/s) is still supported b) USB 2.0 Controller (EHCI) is still available under any Operating System - Improved support for individual disable and enable of USB ports (hotplug-able) 2005-01-28: BIOS release, Build #036 production ===================================================================================== - Added feature to allow to disable boot from USB 2.0 devices in high-speed mode (480 Mbit/s) Setup (F2): Advanced -> USB Configuration -> Boot from USB 2.0 Devices Notice if this option is set to Disabled, then ... a) Boot from USB 2.0 devices in low-speed (1.5 Mbit/s) and full-speed (12 Mbit/s) is still supported b) USB 2.0 Controller (EHCI) is still available under any Operating System - Improved support for individual disable and enable of USB ports (hotplug-able) - Added support to display messages and prompts in legacy black and white color Setup (F2): Main -> BIOS Options -> Messages/Prompts colored - Accelerated POST (boot time) significantly - BIOS Setup restructured Moved ATA/IDE options from "Main" to "Advanced -> ATA/IDE Configuration" Moved BIOS/POST options from "Main" to "Advanced -> POST/BIOS Options" Moved Floppy Config. from "Main" to "Advanced -> I/O Device Config. -> External SIO Device Config." Show manufacturer, board type, installed memory, BIOS build/date at a lot of more information in BIOS Setup Main screen. - Added option to select ATA/IDE cable type Setup (F2): Advanced -> ATA/IDE Configuration -> Select ATA Cable Type: Select either 40 conductors, 80 conductors or 'Auto Detect'. Note that mode 'Auto Detect' can only be selected on CD2 >= Rev.1. Default setting for this option is always "80 conductors". - All Ethernet Expansion BIOS' (Etherboot and Intel PXE) are now disabled by default - Added support for two SIOs (Super I/O) simultaneously If an external SIO is found (i.e. EKF CCA or CCB is installed), serial port of on-board SIO is automatically configured as COM3 (3E8h). Serial ports of external SIO are configured as COM1 (3F8h) and COM2 (2F8h) as default. This can be changed via Setup. - Added option to select PS/2 port if two PS/2 interfaces are detected Setup (F2): Advanced -> Keyboard and Mouse Configuration -> Select Port for PS/2 Devices: - Added option which allows to enable a delay (about 10-12s) after Power-Up Setup (F2): Advanced -> Miscellaneous Configuration -> Execute Delay after Reset: This option can be used to possibly solve Power-Up problems of some devices. - Added counters for various BIOS/POST events - Removed a bug which sometimes leads to a not running RTC, although a RTC-RESET was made. - Options 'USB 2.0 EHCI' and 'USB 2.0 boot in High-Speed mode' are now enabled by default. If an USB overcurrent condition is detected on USB ports 3 or 5, boot from USB 2.0 devices in High-Speed mode (480 MBit/s) is disabled automatically. - Disabled unused power (APM) options. - Removed a bug which prevents the BIOS from switching to CPU maximum performance mode - Configure all GPIOs of on-board Super I/O (ITE) as inputs - Added feature to always enable VGA Analog even if no Analog Monitor is attached during Video BIOS initialization. Screen resolution is then set to 1024x768. - Removed a bug which sometimes does not detect ICH4-internal Ethernet-Controller or boards installed on CompactPCI. This effect only occurs on first reboot after programming a new BIOS binary and if the BIOS binaries have different CMOS versions. - Removed a bug which sometimes doesn't detect a IDE slave device on secondary IDE bus when at the same time a CompactFlash medium was installed. The effect could only be observed with some few combinations of IDE devices of certain manufacturers. - Added support for IDE slave only operating. Now it is not necessary anymore to have an IDE Master device installed, when only a IDE Slave device should be used. This is valid for both IDE buses (Primary and Secondary). - Added support for doing a Hard-Reset instead of a PCI-Reset on BIOS Warm Start entry. A Hard-Reset is the same as pressing reset button in front panel of CD2-BEBOP. Compared to PCI-only-Reset it additionally resets some registers in Intel chipset ICH4. New BIOS setup option allows to select Reset Mode on Warm Start: Setup (F2): Advanced -> Miscellaneous Configuration -> Select Mode on Warm Start: Default is set to Hard-Reset. - Added code to allow disabling of Expansion ROM for Serial ATA (SATA) Controller SiI-3114: Setup (F2): Advanced -> Expansion ROM Configuration -> SATA BIOS for SiI-3114 This BIOS is used e.g. on EKF CE5-CADENZA and EKF DE2-TIGER. - Added option which allows to execute a delay before accessing any hard disk Setup (F2): Advanced -> ATA/IDE Configuration -> Hard Disk Pre-Delay This option can be used to solve Power-Up problems with slow ATA devices. The delay can be set to disabled or to 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 21 or 30 seconds. Default is 3 seconds. - Added option which allows to select retry mode if Boot failed at end of POST Setup (F2): Advanced -> Miscellaneous Configuration -> Select Mode after Boot failed - Added support for Boot Menu (F11 key) Boot Menu allows a quick temporary selection of a boot device, i.e. with this feature it is not necessary to enter setup (-> Boot) and to move the desired boot device to top position. Boot Menu can be invoked by pressing F11 key at any time during POST (when blue F11 message is displayed at bottom of screen). - Added support for Console Redirection Setup (F2): Advanced -> Console Redirection If Console Redirection is enabled, all BIOS messages and BIOS Setup screens are copied to a serial interface (COM port). In this case no VGA device is necessary. - Added option to enable or disable support of IDE Slave only Setup (F2): Advanced -> ATA/IDE Configuration -> Support of IDE Slave only - Added code to send BIOS POST-Codes to a COM port. The COM port used is the serial port of CDY-RIO if no CCA or CCB is detected. If a CCA or CCB is detected, then the COM port used is port COM-A of CCA/CCB. The serial protocol is always set to 19200 Baud, 8N1 and cannot be changed. This feature is automatically enabled if the BIOS detects unvalid CMOS data and will be leaved enabled until next boot. - After power to CardBus cards (-> EKF CP3-HOUSE) is switched on, a delay is increased before the BIOS makes a first access to any register of the CardBus card. This is necessary for some CardBus cards to get properly detected by the BIOS. - Added option which allows to select allocation size for CardBus bridges (-> EKF CP3-HOUSE): Setup (F2): Advanced -> PCMCIA/CardBus Configuration -> Select CardBus Allocation Size For Windows XP and more than one EKF CP3-HOUSE this item must be set to 16 MByte (default). - Enable POST-Code output to COM port if a RTC-Reset was made. POST-Codes redirection to COM port is enabled until next boot. - Added support for saving BIOS setup data as Custom Defaults: Setup (F2): Exit -> Save as Custom Defaults - Added option to enable or disable APM support (default mode is 'Disabled'). - Print a yellow warning message before ESCD Flash table is updated - Added support for fixed processor speed throttle. This is controlled with a new setup option: Setup (F2): Advanced -> CPU (Pentium M) Configuration -> CPU fixed Speed-Limiting - New option allows the selection of 4 different modes during memory test Setup (F2): Advanced -> Memory Configuration -> POST Extended Memory Test Mode 1: Makes a full memory address and data test (is quite slow). Clears memory. Mode 2: Same as hitherto (default mode). Makes a memory data test and clears memory. Mode 3: Same as mode 2, but does not clear memory. Is a little bit faster than mode 2. Mode 4: Skips all memory tests. This speeds up boot time by some seconds (time depends on size of memory). Regard these two notes before using mode 4: - Be sure memory is correctly working by running one of modes 1-3 previously - If memory size is changed in this mode, the new size is not recognized until running one of modes 1-3. - Added a setup option which allows to switch to maximum performance at the earliest in POST Setup (F2): Advanced -> CPU (Pentium M) Configuration -> Maximum Performance Mode If set to 'Early' time elapsed under 'Main' and time used for POST in summary screen is not shown - Changed error code from E3h to E0h if no memory module is detected - A better explanation of processors TM1 and TM2 feature - Distinguish between Celeron M and Pentium M in CPU sub menues - Added full support for Intel Celeron M processors (130nm Banias and 90nm Dothan) - Replaced Etherboot V5.4.0 with version V5.4.1 Reduced timeout significantly if no DHCP server found (from averaged 75 min. to 2.5 min.). After timeout the BIOS tries to boot from next device-group in bootsequence. - Added code to issue error codes (beeps and flashes) in case of non-functioning memory. - Now all error codes are additionally displayed on green LED 'GP' in front panel of EKF CD2-BEBOP. This is useful in systems where now beeper is available (e.g. if no EKF CCA-LAMBADA or no EKF CCB-BOSSANOVA is installed). The list of possible error codes is now documented in file 'biosinfo.txt' (included in ZIP file). - Inhibit Intel graphics driver for Win2k and WinXP to change BIOS graphics configuration. This avoids the annoying effect that DVI-D is sometimes not enabled after restart of Win2k/WinXP. - Added code to ignore invalid ESCD - Removed ESCD overflow error. This error occurred if too much PCI devices were detected during POST and leads to invalid or destroyed flash data (ESCD, ECMS and other). - Added support for more than 48 PCI devices. To support this, PCI device records are removed from ESCD. The following new BIOS setup option controls this: Setup (F2): Advanced -> PCI Configuration -> PCI Device Configuration -> Save PCI Device List Previously PCI device records were always saved in ESCD. Cause ESCD has only place for 48 PCI devices, the new default mode is 'PCI Records' for an unlimited number of PCI devices. Mode 'ESCD' is for compatibility to older versions, i.e. for systems who need it. - Added option to reset ESCD without entering BIOS setup (F2) To do this press SHIFT-ALT-F9 during POST (timeframe: keyboard LED 'NUM' goes on until boot starts). The system restarts immediately after SHIFT-ALT-F9 and ESCD will be reset. - Improved support for feature 'Save Setup data as Custom Defaults' Setup (F2): Exit -> Save as Custom Defaults - Added two options to reset CMOS to factory defaults: If the BIOS is configured in such a way, that it is not possible anymore to enter BIOS Setup, there exists now two options to completely reset CMOS to factory defaults: 1. Press CTL-ALT-F9 during POST (more info -> biosinfo.txt) 2. Press Reset-Button three times in series after any Reset (more info -> biosinfo.txt) These new options to reset CMOS have been added, cause the old option "bypassing jumper JRTC to reset CMOS" could not be used if the board has no or an empty battery and/or if new feature 'Custom Defaults' is used. Old option 'JRTC' is therefore unnecessary anymore, but still works. - Improved handling for (yellow) warning messages and for (red) error messages - Added code to load Etherboot Expansion ROM only once, even if more than one appropriate Ethernet controller is found during scan (e.g on CompactPCI). This avoids error messages like "Resource Conflict - Allocation error static node # xx". - Added feature to disable all external Expansion ROMs, which are found during ROM scan and which are not selective controllable by other options (-> IDE/ATA, SCSI, SATA). External Expansion ROMs are those ROMs which are detected on a non-CPU-internal PCI bus, e.g. on CompactPCI. Control this with: Setup (F2): Advanced -> Expansion ROM Configuration -> Other External Expansion ROMs - Removed check of Expansion ROM version for SATA controller SiI-3114 (e.g. used on EKF CE5-CADENZA or EKF DE2-TIGER). Now all Exansion ROM versions for this controller can be disabled via BIOS setup. - Added feature to load any Ethernet Expansion ROM (Etherboot or PXE) AFTER any other (external) Expansion ROM has been loaded. This is sometimes necessary, if a OS installation to a SCSI harddisk or to SATA harddisk should be made from a remote (Ethernet) device. This feature can be controlled with new option: Setup (F2): Advanced -> Ethernet Configuration -> Load Ethernet ROM late: If set to Enabled, Ethernet Expansion ROMs are loaded after a SCSI BIOS (for EKF CS3 or CS5) or after a SATA BIOS (EKF CE5-CADENZA) has been loaded. Some Expansion BIOS' decreases their size after they have initialized itself. This additional size gives Etherboot a chance to load additionally. If this option is set to Disabled (default), Etherboot/PXE is loaded first and then there is not enough space to load an Expansion ROM for mass storages. - Added feature to select an IRQ number for all eight PCI interrupts PIRQ[A-H]. Setup (F2): Advanced -> PCI Configuration -> PCI IRQ Configuration This ability allows to select a dedicated IRQ number for a special PCI device, to select one IRQ for all PCI devices or whatever ... any combination is allowed. - Now IRQ numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15 are allowed for PCI devices. Previously only IRQ numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 and 12 could be used. - Added IRQ numbers 9, 12, 14 and 15 in ISA IRQ Exclusion list Setup (F2): Advanced -> PCI Configuration -> PCI/PNP ISA IRQ Resource Exclusion Note that IRQ14 and IRQ15 can only be selected if not used by local IDE controller. - Removed a bug where the system fails in the boot of second bootable CDROM when the first CDROM boot fails with a non-bootable disk in it. 2006-03-14: BIOS release, Build #104 production ===================================================================================== - Added option to enable (Default) or disable VGA/GFX Video-BIOS Setup (F2): Advanced -> Expansion ROM Configuration -> VGA (GFX) Video BIOS: - To reset CMOS to factory defaults with the Reset-in-Series option (see biosinfo.txt for more information), a Reset must now be executed exactly 3 times after any Reset. 2006-04-20: BIOS release, Build #110 production ===================================================================================== - Removed a bug which prevents using an external graphics board (e.g. EKF CV1) as the primary VGA device. Changed setup option which allows to enable or disable a VGA Video-BIOS. This option now only controls a VGA BIOS of an external graphics board: Setup (F2): Advanced -> Expansion ROM Configuration -> External VGA Video BIOS: - Removed a bug when loading Custom Defaults at beginning of POST - Added setup option to let user decide what to do if a keyboard error occurs: 'Advanced -> BIOS/POST Options -> Ignore Keyboard Error' Default mode is 'Disabled' to be compatible to earlier BIOS versions. - Added a two second delay before boot sequence is retried. This delay is only valid if setup item 'Advanced -> Miscellaneous Configuration -> Select Mode after Boot failed' is set to mode 'Retry BS'. Without this delay CMOS checksum is updated incompletely when Reset is executed (or CTL-ALT-DEL is pressed) during BS retry loop and CMOS will then be reset to default values at next restart. - Removed a bug which prevents saving of Custom Defaults if Custom Defaults have just been loaded 2006-11-29: BIOS release, Build #118 production ===================================================================================== - Replaced boot algorithm with a newer implementation of the 'Core Boot Specification': Setup (F2) -> Boot The new algorithm identifies all boot devices in the system and attempts to boot from them in the order specified in Setup. It displays each kind of boot device type in the Setup menu and can arrange the boot priority order with any sequence of devices. The main advantage of this new algorithm is that in boot menu (F11 key during POST) every boot device can now be selected. - Removed feature to boot from a LAN (Ethernet) device by pressing F12 key during POST. Boot from LAN can now just as well made by pressing F11 key during POST and then selecting the Ethernet device to boot from in the boot menu. Notice that booting from an on-board Ethernet device must be previously enabled in Setup: Setup (F2): Advanced -> Ethernet Configuration - Added code to indicate that key is pressed for Boot Menu - Removed a bug which caused PS/2 mouse disabled under Windows operating system - Decreased response time when skipping Hard Disk Pre-Delay. Skipping is made by pressing space-bar two times. 2006-12-21: BIOS release, Build #132 production ===================================================================================== - Added support to enable spread spectrum for clock signals Setup (F2): Advanced -> Board Configuration -> Clock Chip Initialization Setup (F2): Advanced -> Board Configuration -> Clock Chip Spread Spectrum - Improved watchdog support: - Added support for on-board Maxim watchdog - Added counter for TCO watchdog timeouts - Added watchdog feature to select an alternate boot device if watchdog timed out - Added watchdog feature to toggle between standard and alternate boot device - Added watchdog timeout action 'Halt' For more info read Help in BIOS Setup (F2): Advanced -> Watchdog Configuration - Message 'Custom Defaults loaded' isn't shown if option 'Always Load Custom Defaults' is enabled AND Custom Defaults have been loaded at beginning of POST - Added keys '-' and '+' and Ctrl-Up and Ctrl-Down for moving devices up and down in boot menu - Added Setup option to allow routing of SMBus signals to CompactPCI Setup (F2): Advanced -> Board Configuration -> SMBus to CompactPCI - Ethernet nodes now always shown in Setup, even if an Ethernet controller is disabled - Replaced Etherboot V5.4.1 with version V5.4.3 - Added Setup option to select default mode for PCI devices with bus master capability Setup (F2): Advanced -> PCI Configuration -> Default mode for PCI Bus Master Normally OS drivers set the bus master bit in config space of PCI devices, if it detects the PCI device is bus master capable. This means this Setup item must only be set to 'Enabled', if an OS driver doesn't set the bus master bit. Default mode is 'Disabled' to be backward compatible with older BIOS'. - During POST keys F2 and F11 can now be typed in any sequencing - Key F11 (for boot menu) now additionally recognized in Setup - Update Expansion BIOS for on-board SATA controller SiI3512 to version V3.83 2007-06-21: BIOS release, Build #150 production ===================================================================================== For any further questions contact EKF at: Email : support@ekf.de Internet : www.ekf.de or www.ekf.com