================================================ Release Notes for Phoenix BIOS on EKF PC1-GROOVE ================================================ This file describes changes, extensions and bug fixes made in Phoenix BIOS for EKF PC1-GROOVE. For any further questions contact EKF at: Email : support@ekf.de Internet : www.ekf.com ===================================================================================== 2016-08-09: BIOS release, Build #188 production - SATA clock spread for Intel SATA controller is now disabled by default. This avoids failing SATA data transfers observed with a special SSD device. If necessary, SATA clock spread can be enabled with this Setup item: Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Board Configuration -> Control SATA Clock Spread: Available options are: Disabled (Default), Enabled - Changed RTC default date to 2016-01-01 - Fixed a minor bug which sometimes showed a wrong board subrevision in Setup Main - Updated progspi.exe to V3.91 ===================================================================================== 2013-03-28: BIOS release, Build #186 production - Adapted VBIOS configuration table to support DisplayPort on EKF PCS-BALLET. Note: To route DisplayPort signals from PC1-GROOVE to PCS-BALLET, a small adapter (EKF C66-DP) must be installed between these two boards. - Added BIOS Setup option to disable the Digital Thermal Sensor DTS: Setup [F2]: Advanced -> ACPI Configuration -> Digital Thermal Sensor (DTS): Available options are: Disabled, Enabled (Default) Setting this item to Disabled, returns fixed temperature 30 deg C from ACPI thermal zone TZ00. - Modified ACPI resources for ACPI device PNP0200 (DMA controller) - Fixed a bug which leads to an ACPI event error under OS (write to IO port 81) ===================================================================================== 2012-07-19: BIOS release, Build #184 production - Added support to prevent Intel SATA devices to be inserted in boot list. This is useful in cases when a new installed SATA device will be automatically moved to a higher position in boot list, compared with the position of the current boot device. To avoid this set the following option for the new inserted SATA device to 'Disabled': Setup [F2]: Advanced -> ATA/IDE Configuration -> Intel ICHx ATA Configuration -> -> SATA Port [1-6] -> Boot from Device: Available options are: Disabled, Enabled (Default) ===================================================================================== 2012-05-29: BIOS release, Build #182 production - Added Setup option to execute a fixed delay at the early beginning of POST Setup (F2): Advanced -> Miscellaneous Configuration -> Execute Delay after Reset: Available options are: Disabled (i.e. no delay, Default), 1s, 4s or 12s If enabled, it allows certain devices to finish its internal initialization before POST has access to these devices. The delay is indicated by a red blinking LED GP in frontpanel of PC1-GROOVE. Note: The old Setup option, which allows the execution of a 10s delay in the middle of POST, is removed. - Fixed a bug which inhibits the detection of certain SATA devices (mainly SSDs) during POST - Added Setup option which allows a complete deactivation of the Intel SATA controller: Setup [F2]: Advanced -> ATA/IDE Configuration -> Intel SATA Configuration -> Sata Ctrl Mode: This item can now additionally be set to 'Disabled'. Default mode is still 'AHCI'. ===================================================================================== 2012-03-30: BIOS release, Build #180 production - Added boot support for Intel RAID controller Setup [F2]: Advanced -> ATA/IDE Configuration -> Intel SATA Configuration -> Sata Ctrl Mode: If this option is set to "RAID", the "Intel RAID Configuration" menu can be entered, with the following Setup options: -> Expansion ROM for Intel RAID: -> RAID User Interface: -> RAID 0 (Striping): -> RAID 1 (Mirroring): -> RAID 10 (Stripe+Mirror): -> RAID 5 (Stripe+Parity): All above Setup options are set to Enabled by default. Normally there is no need to set one of these options to Disabled. More Info on Intel RAID: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/search.html?lstSites=&allwords=Rapid+Storage+Technology+Raid - Fixed a bug (BIOS hangs) when no keyboard controller is available. This is the case if no Super-IO is present and both USB EHCI controller are set to disabled via BIOS Setup. - Increased voltage swing for DisplayPort interface Voltage swing for Display Port D (front panel of PC1-GROOVE) and Port C (to sideboard) is increased to 0.8V. This ensures perfect display quality in case of second-rate DisplayPort cables used with PC1-GROOVE. - Updated Video BIOS to V2120, EKF version 3 - Changed RTC default date to 2012-01-01 - Updated progspi.exe to V2.7 ===================================================================================== 2012-03-16: BIOS release, Build #174 production - Integrated Video BIOS 2120 - Added feature "Forced VGA Analog" VGA Analog (DSUB15 connector in front panel of PC1-GROOVE) is now always enabled, even if no VGA monitor is attached during Video BIOS initialization in POST. This feature is enabled by default. There is no need to set any BIOS setup option. ===================================================================================== 2011-12-05: BIOS release, Build #172 production - Status display of GPIO[2-5] pins is now independent of selected GPIO pin mode Setup [F2]: Advanced -> GPIO Configuration - Removed Legacy Floppy, USB ZIP, USB LS120, Other USB, Other PCI, LegacyLAN and Bootable Add-in Cards from bootable devices in boot menu - Added keys '-' and '+' and Ctrl-Up and Ctrl-Down for moving devices up and down in Boot menu - Added boot support for JMB36x controller on EKF Expansion Boards CCK-MARIMBA and CCL-CAPELLA - Removed a side effect if EKF CE3-GIG with two on-board JMB362 SATA controller is installed in the system - Enabled support for PCMCIA and CardBus Controller, e.g. EKF CP3-HOUSE Dependent of the used OS it is necessary to use SerIRQ as the interrupt signal for PC Cards. To enable SerIRQ routing: Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Board Configuration -> CompactPCI SerIRQ Routing: Available options: Disabled (Factory Default), Enabled ===================================================================================== 2011-10-24: BIOS release, Build #170 production - Added feature that allows to switch a GPIO in ACPI functions PTS or GTS. These ACPI functions are called before the OS shuts down the system. Function PTS (Prepare To Sleep) is used to notify the platform of impending sleep transition. Function GTS (Going To Sleep) is executed just prior before the sleep enable bit is set. For more info read http://www.acpi.info/spec.htm ... To control this feature: Setup [F2]: Advanced -> ACPI Configuration -> Select function for GPIO control: Available options: None (Default), PTS, GTS Setup [F2]: Advanced -> ACPI Configuration -> Select GPIO # used for PTS/GTS: Available options: GPIO2, GPIO3, GPIO4, GPIO5 Setup [F2]: Advanced -> ACPI Configuration -> Select GPIO Mode used for PTS/GTS: Available options: Input, Output Low, Output High - Added GPIO configuration menu Setup [F2]: Advanced -> GPIO Configuration - Added Setup options to set GPIO[2-5] state and usage during POST Setup [F2]: Advanced -> GPIO Configuration -> POST control of PCH GPIO2/PIRQ-E: Setup [F2]: Advanced -> GPIO Configuration -> POST control of PCH GPIO3/PIRQ-F: Setup [F2]: Advanced -> GPIO Configuration -> POST control of PCH GPIO4/PIRQ-G: Setup [F2]: Advanced -> GPIO Configuration -> POST control of PCH GPIO5/PIRQ-H: Available options: Input (Default), Output Low, Output High, PIRQ These options allow GPIO[2-5] from PCH/QM57 to have a custom defined state before the OS is loaded. - Added Setup fields which show state of PCH/QM57 GPIOs[2-5] if these GPIOs are defined as inputs: Setup [F2]: Advanced -> GPIO Configuration -> Current input level PCH GP2: Setup [F2]: Advanced -> GPIO Configuration -> Current input level PCH GP3: Setup [F2]: Advanced -> GPIO Configuration -> Current input level PCH GP4: Setup [F2]: Advanced -> GPIO Configuration -> Current input level PCH GP5: - Removed the six second delay at end of POST (was introduced with previous Build #100) - Changed the generation of the GUID in SMBIOS table. The new algorithm ensures that the GUID is now really unique. - Fixed the issue that an USB keyboard does sometimes not function during POST - Renamed SATA Ports in summary screen, show more info - Show EKF as manufacturer in SMBIOS table "System Information" - Show number of SMIs in Monitoring Menu and in Summary Screen - Show board serial number in BIOS Setup Setup [F2]: Main -> Serial number - Copied board serial number to SMBIOS table. This allows to show the serial number under an OS with appropriate tools (for Windows use tools like CPU-Z, SIW or others, for Linux use dmidecode). - Show board manufacturing date in BIOS Setup Setup [F2]: Main -> Manufacturing Date: - Corrected size of BIOS in SMBIOS table to 2MB - Board version/revision is copied to appropriate SMBIOS table - Fixed a bug (BIOS/DOS hangs) when too much keys are pressed in a very short time (scanner problem) ===================================================================================== 2011-09-15: BIOS release, Build #100 production - Added support for remote boot via Ethernet (supported version: Intel PXE V1.3.72). Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Ethernet Configuration -> Select PXE Eth-Ctrl: Available options: Disabled (Default), Eth 1 (top RJ45), Eth 2 (bottom RJ45), Eth3 and Eth4 (Rear IO J2/P2 PICMG 2.30 PlusIO) - Show error message if remote boot from Eth2, Eth3 or Eth4 is selected and I/O access to these Ethernet controllers is disabled via NVRAM. Techn. background: Remote boot via Intel 82574 Ethernet controllers (Eth2, Eth3, Eth4) is only supported if I/O access to these controllers is enabled in Ethernet NVRAM. On PC1-GROOVE this is normally not the case (to save space in 64KB I/O page for other PCI devices). As long as I/O access is not enabled, remote boot is only supported from Ethernet Controller 1 (PC1 front panel, top RJ45). Contact EKF if it is necessary to do a remote boot from any 82574 Ethernet controller. - Removed a bug which doesn't set the default value for Ethernet Controllers after pressing F9 key in Setup. Problem only occurs if a controller was previously set to disabled. - Disabled all ME PCI devices (Device 22, Functions 0-3) - Reset system if the reset is initiated by a command to the possibly non-existing keyboard controller (Windows XP restart problem) - Enabled support for keyboard and mouse inputs if no physical keyboard controller is present. This supports software with direct Port 60/64 accesses (e.g. memtest). - Updated progspi.exe to V2.6 ===================================================================================== 2011-08-05: BIOS release, Build #094 production - Support for CPU C-States is now disabled by default Setup (F2): Advanced -> CPU Configuration -> C States: - Added Setup option to enable or disable C6 State Setup [F2]: Advanced -> CPU Configuration -> C6 State: Available options: Disabled, Enabled (Factory Default) This options is only available if option "-> Advanced -> CPU Configuration -> C States:" is set to enabled. - Added support to boot from SATA controller JMB362 or JMB363 Setup (F2): Advanced -> ATA/IDE Configuration -> [1-4]. JMicron JMB36x Configuration ===================================================================================== 2011-06-16: BIOS release, Build #092 production - Added support for SPI flash of type Macronix MX32L05 - Fixed bug no cursor under DOS - PCI Express Port 6 is now permanently disabled, cause it is used for internal Ethernet controller 1 Setup [F2]: Advanced -> PCI Configuration -> PCI Express Configuration -> PCI Express - Root Port 6: [Disabled] - Show usage of all PCH/QM57 PCI Express Ports on PC1-GROOVE Setup [F2]: Advanced -> PCI Configuration -> PCI Express Configuration - Setup options for LAN controller now dependent of populated Ethernet controllers Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Ethernet Configuration -> Ethernet Controller [1-4]: - More detailed message if MAC address is unvalid or not available Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Ethernet Configuration -> MAC Address [1-4]: ===================================================================================== 2011-06-08: BIOS release, Build #090 production - Added BIOS Password feature Setup (F2): Advanced -> BIOS/POST Configuration -> Set Supervisor Password: If Password is enabled, next time BIOS Setup can only be entered if the correct Password is typed in. Note: the Password will be immediately enabled after typed in, i.e. it is not necessary to save it with F10 (Save and Exit). - Added Setup option to allow that an OS can only boot, if the correct Password is typed in Setup (F2): Advanced -> BIOS/POST Configuration -> Password on Boot: Available options are: Disabled (Default), Enabled This Setup option is only available if a Password was previously set. - Added Setup option to allow routing of SMBus signals to External Devices Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Board Configuration -> SMBus to External Devices If this option is set to enabled SMBus signals are additionally routed to CompactPCI and to SMBus devices on EKF Expansion boards. - Added support for PC1-GROOVE standalone, i.e. SIO free operating - Added support for OS reboot if no SIO is present - Added Setup options to control behaviour after POST Errors: Setup [F2]: Advanced -> BIOS/POST Options -> Halt on POST Errors: Available options: Disabled, Enabled (Factory Default) - Added Setup options to control behaviour after POST messages of type 'Warning' or 'Error'. Setup [F2]: Advanced -> BIOS/POST Options -> Delay after POST Messages: Available options: Disabled, 2 sec, 5 sec (Factory Default), Key - Show message to press key during POST - Added support for jumper GP. If jumper GP is set CMOS is reset to factory defaults. - Added feature "Reset CMOS to factory defaults" if board is reset exactly three times immediatly after restart of BIOS - After an hardware change, i.e. an EKF expansion board is installed or removed, CMOS is reset to factory defaults - Added feature to send POST Codes to serial port (COM1, 19200 baud, 8N1) and to video screen Setup [F2]: Advanced -> BIOS/POST Options -> Output POST-Codes to COM1 and video: For more info read "First start of a board with invalid CMOS data" in biosinfo.txt - Added Setup options to control CPU internal thermal monitors 1 and 2: Setup [F2]: Advanced -> CPU Configuration -> TM1/TM2: Both are enabled by default and should only be set to disabled for test purposes. - Adapted USB topology to PC1-GROOVE - Added setup node to control ACPI Passive Cooling Trip Point Setup [F2]: Advanced -> ACPI Configuration -> Passive Cooling Trip Point: This trip point can be changed in one degree steps from 50-104 degree Celsius. Default value is 100 degree Celsius. - Added setup node to control ACPI Critical Trip Point Setup [F2]: Advanced -> ACPI Configuration -> Critical Trip Point: This trip point can be changed in one degree steps from 90-120 degree Celsius. Default value is 105 degree Celsius. - Added three setup nodes to control ACPI TC1, TC2 and TSP values Setup [F2]: Advanced -> ACPI Configuration -> Passive TC1 value: Setup [F2]: Advanced -> ACPI Configuration -> Passive TC2 value: Setup [F2]: Advanced -> ACPI Configuration -> Passive TSP value: ===================================================================================== 2011-05-20: BIOS release, Build #084 production - Added support for serial ports on EKF expansion boards equipped with SIO of type SMSC SCH3114. Setup [F2]: Advanced -> SIO Configuration All four serial ports are enabled per default. IO addresses and IRQ are assigned as follows: Serial port 1: I/O 3F8h, IRQ 4 Serial port 2: I/O 2F8h, IRQ 3 Serial port 3: I/O 3E8h, IRQ 7 Serial port 4: I/O 2E8h, IRQ 11 - Integrated Video BIOS 2111 - Changed RTC default date to 2011-01-01 ===================================================================================== 2011-03-31: BIOS release, Build #082 production - A red error message is shown during POST if firmware for ME (Management Engine) is not loaded - Added Setup option to enable or disable on-board Ethernet Controllers 1-4 Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Ethernet Configuration -> Ethernet Controller [1-4]: All four on-board Ethernet Controllers are enabled by default. - Show MAC addresses of all four on-board Ethernet controllers in Setup Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Ethernet Configuration - A red error message is shown during POST if EKF OUI (00:C0:88) in MAC address of all four on-board Ethernet Controllers is not detected - Changed behaviour of LED GP (Red, Green or Orange) in front panel of PC1: - A red blinking LED GP indicates: BIOS has not started (-> Board Failure) - LED GP off immediately after Reset indicates a successful BIOS start - Approximately one second after Reset green LED GP is switched on to indicate start of Legacy BIOS - If the keyboard is ready for F2 key (BIOS Setup) or F11 key (Boot Menu) orange LED GP is switched on (orange means red LED along with green LED). This eases the timing of F2/F11 key press, cause some displays need too much time for their own initialization (i.e. they are not yet able to show messages sent from POST). - Green LED GP is switched on again before BIOS Setup. - Green LED is switched off immediately before Boot - Fixed a bug which crashed the BIOS if a board with a PCI Bridge of type PLX PCI9050 is installed - Restructured Intel PCH SATA Setup nodes: Setup [F2]: Advanced -> ATA/IDE Configuration -> Intel SATA Configuration - Added a separate configuration screen for Intel SATA ports 1-6 Setup [F2]: Advanced -> ATA/IDE Configuration -> Intel SATA Configuration -> Config SATA port [1-6] Available nodes: -> Control SATA Port [1-6]: -> Hot-Plug: -> Port Multiplier: -> ALPM: -> ALPM Mode: -> Trace Config: -> COMRESET: For more information about these nodes read item specfic help in BIOS Setup. - Removed Setup node for Intel RAID mode - PCI Express ports from Intel PCH/QM57 are now one-based in BIOS Setup - Changed ASPM defaults for PCI Express Ports 1, 2 and 8 from mode "Auto" to mode "L1" PCI Express Port 1 -> Ethernet Controller 3 (routed to PC1 J2 PICMG 2.30 PlusIO) PCI Express Port 2 -> Ethernet Controller 4 (routed to PC1 J2 PICMG 2.30 PlusIO) PCI Express Port 8 -> Ethernet Controller 2 (routed to PC1 front panel bottom RJ45) - Integrated Video BIOS 2077 - PCI clock now constantly running, i.e. Stop_PCI# is permanently disabled - Added Setup 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 certain devices. - Enabled CPU internal digital temperatur sensor (DTS) permanently - Removed display of Shadow and Cache memory sizes in Summary Screen - Show time elapsed for POST in Summary Screen ===================================================================================== 2010-10-29: First BIOS release, Build #080 production ===================================================================================== < End of File >