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        - Sun Proprietary/Confidential: Internal Use Only -
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                        FIELD INFORMATION NOTICE
                  (For Authorized Distribution by SunService)

FIN #: I0443-1

Create Date: Oct/30/98

Keywords: 

Default NVRAM parameters on E250 Servers shipped between 09/05/98 and 09/25/98 may be set incorrectly.

Top FIN/FCO Report: No

Products Reference: E250 NVRAM settings

Product Category: Server / System Board

Product Affected: 

Mkt_ID   Platform   Model   Description       Serial Number
------   --------   -----   -----------       -------------

Systems Affected
----------------

   -     A26        ALL     Enterprise 250    836MXXXX > 838MXXXX

X-Options Affected
------------------

   -

Parts Affected: 

Part Number   Description   Model
-----------   -----------   -----
    -              -          -

References: 

MANUAL: 805-5160-10 Sun Enterprise 250 Server Owner's Guide

Issue Description: 

It has been noted that a number of Enterprise 250 servers have been 
shipped from the UK distribution center with the default NVRAM param- 
eters incorrectly set.

The Enterprise 250s that are affected have no functional failures but
will exhibit different starting (boot) condition than those stated in  
the customer or field installation guide.

The default customer parameters have not been set on these units which
means that whenever they are powered on, Power On Self Test will execute 
automatically and the unit will subsequently attempt to boot unix from 
the network interface as opposed to the standard disk device.

The root cause was found to be a test script problem within Linlithgow
(LLG) manufacturing.  Approximately 1 in 4 systems tested between 
09/05/98 and 09/26/98 are affected.

Affected units can easily be identified in that they will execute POST   
on power up and then attempt to boot from the network interface as opp-
osed to the standard disk image.
 
The test scripts were modified and corrected on 09/26/98.  Only Enter-   
prise 250 servers tested between 09/05/98 and 09/25/98 are affected.

Implementation: 

---
        |   |   MANDATORY (Fully Pro-Active)
         ---    
         
  
         ---
        |   |   CONTROLLED PRO-ACTIVE (per Sun Geo Plan) 
         --- 
         
                                
         ---
        | x |   REACTIVE (As Required)
         ---

Corrective Action: 

After unpacking, cabling and initial power on, the unit(s) will take
approximately 2-3 minutes to execute the Power On Self Tests before any 
video output is displayed to the console, the following steps will be
required to rectify the problem:


1. Once the banner appears enter 'break'  
   (Depressing the Stop and A keys simultaneously if a keyboard is 
    attached or ~# from the ttya input device).
    
2. At the ok prompt enter 'set-defaults' 

3. At the ok prompt enter 'reset' 


The unit is now configured correctly and will operate as specified 
within the installation manuals.

Comments: 

To access the list of known system serial numbers affected by the NVRAM
setting problem (described above):

See the "Supporting Documents:" section below. 

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Implementation Footnote: 

________________________

i)   In case of MANDATORY FINs, Enterprise Services will attempt to contact   
     all affected customers to recommend implementation of the FIN. 
        

ii)  For CONTROLLED PROACTIVE FINs, Enterprise Services mission critical sup-  
     port teams will recommend implementation of the FIN (to their respective 
     accounts), at the convenience of the customer. 


iii) For REACTIVE FINs, Enterprise Services will implement the FIN as the need 
     arises.

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All released FINs and FCOs can be accessed using your favorite network 
browser as follows:
 
SunWeb Access: 
______________
 
* Access the top level URL of http://cte.corp/FIN_FCO/

* From there, select the appropriate link to query or browse the FIN and
  FCO Homepage collections.
 
SunSolve Online Access:
_______________________
 
* Access the SunSolve Online URL at http://sunsolve.Corp/

* From there, select the appropriate link to browse the FIN or FCO index.

Supporting Documents:
____________________
 
Supporting documents for FIN/FCOs can be found on Edist.  Edist can be 
accessed internally at the following URL: http://edist.corp/.
  
* From there, follow the hyperlink path of "SunService Documentation" and 
  click on "FIN & FCO attachments", then choose the appropriate folder,  
  FIN or FCO.  This will display supporting directories/files for FINs or
  FCOs.
   
Internet Access:
_______________
 
* Access the top level URL of https://infoserver.Sun.COM
 
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General:
________

Send questions or comments to [email protected]

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