Product guide

Chapter Four Configuration Software and Utilities

When to Run the System Setup

Utility (continued)

If you install or remove an ISA add-in board, you must run the SSU to

reconfigure the server. Running the SSU is optional for PCI and Plug and Play

ISA add-in boards.

The SSU is PCI aware, and it complies with the ISA Plug and Play

specifications. The SSU works with any compliant configuration (.CFG) files

supplied by the peripheral device manufacturer.

The I/O baseboard comes with a .CFG file. The .CFG file describes the

characteristics of the board and the system resources that it requires. The

configuration registers on PCI and ISA Plug and Play add-in boards contain the

same type of information that is in a .CFG file. Some ISA boards also come

with a .CFG file.

The SSU uses the information provided by .CFG files, configuration registers,

flash, and the information that you enter, to specify a system configuration. The

SSU writes the configuration information to flash memory.

The SSU stores configuration values in flash memory. These values take effect

when you boot the server. POST checks the values against the actual

hardware configuration; if they do not agree, POST generates an error message.

You must then run the SSU to specify the correct configuration before the

server boots.

The SSU always includes a checksum with the configuration data so the BIOS

can detect any potential data corruption before the actual hardware

configuration takes place.

What You Need to Do

The SSU may be run directly from the Server Resource CD by booting the

server system to the CD and selecting “Utilities” or from a set of DOS diskettes.

If you choose to run the SSU from a set of DOS diskettes, you must create the

SSU diskettes from the Server Resource CD by booting to the CD and selecting

“Create Diskettes.” Alternatively, if you have a Windows 95 or Windows NT

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workstation, you can insert the CD into that system and create diskettes from

the “Utilities” menu of the graphical user interface.

If your diskette drive is disabled, or improperly configured, you must use the

flash resident Setup utility to enable it so that you can use the SSU. If

necessary, you can disable the drive after you exit the SSU. Information

entered using the SSU overrides any entered using Setup.