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

FIN #: I0658-1

Create Date: Mar/26/01

Keywords: 

Pre-fetch pipeline problems on Sun Blade 1000 and Sun Fire 280R

SunAlert: 26070

Top FIN/FCO Report: Yes

Products Reference: Sun Blade 1000 & Sun Fire 280R

Product Category: Primary Category    Secondary Category
                        DeskTop             SW Admin

Product Affected: 

Mkt_ID     Platform     Model     Description      Serial Number
------     --------     -----     -----------      -------------  
Systems Affected
----------------
  -          A28         ALL      Sun Blade 1000         -
  -          A35         ALL      Sun Fire 280R          -

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

Parts Affected: 

Part Number            Description                      Model
-----------            -----------                      -----
501-4999-07 (or less)  ASSY CHEETAH 600MHZ 4MB Module     -
501-5675-05 (or less)  ASSY CHEETAH 750MHZ 8MB Module     -
501-5969-02 (or less)  ASSY CHEETAH 750MHZ LITE 8MB       -
501-5988-02 (or less)  ASSY CHEETAH 750MHZ LT REV3.4      -

References: 

PatchId:     111228-01 - Hardware, Sun Blade 1000 & Sun Fire 280R, 
                         FRU Update  
ECO:         WO_20181
             WO_20123
LEAP:        1447 
WW StopShip: WP001#15693
URL:         http://sdpsweb.ebay/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0658-1_dir/658-1.SN.list
             http://onestop.eng/sunblade1000_prefetch/
             http://sdpsweb.ebay/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0658-1_dir/658.jpg
Sun Alert:   26070

Issue Description: 

Sun Engineering testing has identified a rare set of circumstances that
reveal a 'bug' in the pre-fetch pipeline control logic of the current
implementation of the UltraSPARC III microprocessor.  This problem
affects the aforementioned modules indicated above.

Customers will be installing firmware patch 111228-01 to update the
pre-fetch pipeline control logic in systems with UltraSPARC III modules 
which shipped prior to March 14, 2001.  This includes Sun Blade 1000 
and Sun Fire 280R systems.  The 120 affected customers have been 
contacted to describe the problem.  Systems shipped after March 14, 
2001 (system s/n greater than 111CXXXX) will have the firmware fix 
installed at Sun Manufacturing vide Stop Ship WP001#15693.  Corrective 
action was implemented at Enterprise Services Logistics vide LEAP 1447.

System s/n's lower than 111CXXXX are affected.  However there are some
exceptions and these are listed at the following URL:

   http://sdpsweb.ebay/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0658-1_dir/658-1.SN.list

There are three service issues which are not addressed by the README
for Patch 111228-01:

1) Customers could have the patch in place and the system will work
   fine, but if the CPU module fails it could be replaced with a module 
   that does not have the updated firmware.  This could occur because 
   it takes some time (est. May 1, 2001)for all Logistics stocking 
   locations to purge the affected parts from inventory.

2) There is no way to determine if the firmware patch is loaded until
   the patch is installed.  If a CPU module is replaced, and the patch
   firmware is not up to date, the Field or customer must install the
   patch after swapping the CPU module.  
        
3) If the Field runs the SunVTS kmem diag in the stress mode, CPU
   modules with the updated firmware may fail.  This will be a false 
   indication of a module failure.

Please follow the recommendations given in the Corrective Action section
when replacing CPU modules or running SunVTS diagnostics on UltraSPARC III 
based systems.   For more details about the UltraPSARC III pre-fetch pipeline 
problem please see Sun Alert 26070 and the ONESTOP web page:

   http://onestop.eng/sunblade1000_prefetch/ .

Implementation: 

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

Corrective Action: 

An Authorized Enterprise Field Service Representative may avoid the
above mentioned problems by following the recommendations as shown
below.  

If you replace a defective UltraSPARC III CPU module with a FRU which
came from any Sun Enterprise Service Logistics stocking location,
install Patch 111228-01 to make sure the firmware is updated.  This
action must be followed only until May 1, 2001.   After this date, all
CPU modules will have been purged from Logistics locations.  The new
modules will have the updated firmware and do not need to be patched.
  
  The modules with the updated firmware are:

  501-4999-08 or higher     ASSY UltraSPARC III 600MHZ 4MB Module
  501-5675-06 or higher     ASSY UltraSPARC III 750MHZ 8MB Module
  501-5969-03 or higher     ASSY UltraSPARC III 750MHZ LITE 8MB
  501-5988-03 or higher     ASSY UltraSPARC III 750MHZ LT REV3.4
  
If you run the /updater-SunBlade1000-01 utility from Patch 111228-01 it
is possible you may get one of the following messages.  For the first
two messages, replace the CPU module as this indicates a defective
(DOA) module. 
  
     "Bad/Corrupted FRU"
     "No matching part number supported"

If you get the following message, 

     "Device write protected"

the problem may be a misplaced jumper on the module.  Refer to the following 
URL for corrective action.

  http://sdpsweb.ebay/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0658-1_dir/658.jpg 

If you run SunVTS diagnostics on the system to test the module, run all 
tests only in the default configuration.  Do NOT run kmem in the "stress"
mode.  If you do, the module could indicate a false failure.

Comments: 

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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    
     support 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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-------------- 
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* From there, select the appropriate link to query or browse the FIN and
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-----------------------
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Supporting Documents:
---------------------
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* From there, follow the hyperlink path of "Enterprise Services Documenta- 
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Internet Access:
----------------
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