H132238 - SERVER 500 S/390 OPTIONS MAY BE SET INCORRECTLY The following letter was distributed to IBM PC Server 500 System/390 Customers, Resellers and Business Partners and is made available here for servicer reference. ------------------- TO: IBM PC Server 500 System/390 Customers IBM PC Server 500 System/390 Resellers and Business Partners IBM has determined that a limited number of PC Server 500 System/390 systems were delivered to our customers with initial configuration settings that do not fully optimize the PC Server S/390's data protection capabilities. This letter will specify which systems might be affected and it will explain how to view the configuration settings and, if necessary, how to change them. A PC Server 500 System/390 can be identified by removing the front cover and viewing the label on the metal handle near the top of the machine. The label shows 8641-(model) and S/N (serial number). If NetFinity is installed on the PC Server S/390, you can determine the system serial number without removing the front cover. From the NetFinity Service Manager window, double click on the System Information icon, then double click on the Vital Product Data (VPD) icon. The system serial number will be displayed at the bottom of the VPD window in the form '8641mmmsssssss' where 'mmm' is the model (MYC, MYF, MYS, NYV) and sssssss is the serial number. You need NOT (repeat NOT) take any action if your system is designated as: model MYS with serial numbers between 23D5500 and 23D7499, model NYV with serial numbers between 23D7800 and 23D9999. model MYF with serial numbers between 23W5800 and 23W9999, model MYC with serial numbers between 23AA300 and 23CP999, On affected systems, the S/390 Microprocessor Complex (P/390) adapter's "Micro Channel Parity Checking" and "Selected Feedback Return" configuration settings may be "Disabled". The IBM Server Development Engineering team strongly recommends that you operate your system with these P/390 adapter configuration settings "Enabled", unless you have a specific requirement to intentionally operate with them "Disabled". The attached instructions describe how to view the current settings and modify them if necessary. We apologize for the inconvenience this configuration change may cause you. However, we believe it is our responsibility at IBM to ensure you have the opportunity to fully utilize the excellent data protection capabilities of your Server/390. If you have any questions, or require assistance with the attached procedures, you can contact the IBM PC HelpCenter 24 hours a day 7 days a week at the following phone numbers: * In the U.S.A., 1-800-772-2227 * In Canada, 1-800-565-3344 Outside the USA and Canada, contact your IBM authorized reseller or IBM marketing representative. Thank You. ============================================================================ Page 2 ATTACHMENT There are two procedures to determine the current configuration settings. A. If NetFinity is installed on your machine, you can determine (but not change) the settings without having to restart the server. You need to follow procedure B to change the settings. 1. From the Netfinity Service Manager window - Double click on the System Information icon - Double click on the Adapter Information icon - Double click on the P390 Adapter to view the settings 2. If the settings for "Micro Channel Parity Checking" and "Selected Feedback Return" are both set to "ENABLE", no further action is required. Close the NetFinity windows and proceed normally. 3. If either of the above settings are "DISABLE", use the following procedure B to change them to "ENABLE". B. This procedure can be used to view and change the settings if required. However, this procedure requires you to restart the server. Use a backup copy of the PC Server 90/95/95A/500 reference diskette. If you do not have one, make them now. For information on how to make a backup copy, refer to the documentation that comes with your system. 1. Set write-protection of the backup copy of the Reference Diskette to off and insert it in the default diskette drive 2. Power on the server. If the server is already on, do a normal shutdown and then restart the system (press Ctrl+Alt+Del). 3. When the main menu appears, select "Set Configuration" and then press ENTER. At this point you might be prompted to insert option diskettes if you had not previously copied them to the backup copy of your Reference Diskette. If you are prompted to insert an Option Diskette, insert it and then press ENTER. Information prompts inform you when to reinsert the Reference Diskette. Note: The P/390 adapter originally shipped in slot 7 of your server requires the IBM PC Server 500 S/390 Advanced Diagnostics and Option Diskette that came with your system. 4. When "Set Configuration" menu appears, select "Change Configuration" and press ENTER. 5. Use F8=Fwd to page down until you see the "System/390 Microprocessor Complex (P/390)" selection, then press the Down Arrow key until "Selected Feedback Return" is highlighted. If it is already set to "ENABLE", go to step 6. Otherwise, press F6=Next until "ENABLE" appears and then go to the next step. 6. Press the Down Arrow key until "Micro Channel Parity Checking" is highlighted. If it is already set to "ENABLE", go to step 7. Otherwise, press F6=Next until "ENABLE" appears and then go to the next step. 7. If you did NOT change any parameters, go to step 8. Otherwise, press F10=Save to save the configuration. When an information screen appears stating "Save Configuration is Complete", press ENTER. 8. Press F3=Exit and then press F3=Exit again to return to Main Menu. 9. If you did not change either one of the parameters, press F3=Exit and follow the instructions on the screen. Press ENTER and go to step 11. 10. When information appears stating "The System will restart", remove the copy of the Refernce Diskette from the diskette drive and press ENTER. Reset write- protection (for your copy of the backup Reference Diskette) to on. 11. The new configuration becomes active when the system restarts. Jan. 17, 1996