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Warning: Failure of the prom flash procedure can leave your
machine in an unusable state. Please be sure you are running a stable
32-bit kernel before proceeding.
Flash Procedure
1. Desktop machines have a write-protect jumper that must be moved
before you can write to the prom. If you have never flashed the machine
before, you will probably have to move the jumper, because the default
position is write protect. See the FE Handbook for the jumper location
on your machine. Remember to power-off the machine before working
on it. Many machines have the jumper under an installed framebuffer
- be careful when removing/replacing the framebuffer.
2. Flashing the prom may reset any nvram settings you have, so you
should check your settings and write down anything that is not a
default value.
3. While running a stable 32-bit kernel become root, and run one
of the following:
Desktop systems: bub.desktop.promupdate (untar DT_OBP.tar)
Server systems: bub.sunfire.promupdate (untar server_OBP.tar)
4. Once the update is complete, reset your machine, and check the
nvram settings. If they have been reset to defaults, you may need to adjust
them . Pay particular attention to the setting of diag-switch?, since it
can affect your boot path if it is set.
Troubleshooting
The most common problem is failing to un-write-protect the prom on desktop
systems. Double check the jumper position. It is not necessary to write-protect
the prom again after you are done, however you may if you wish.
If the machine seems dead when you power it on, after moving the write-protect
jumper, but before flashing the prom, be sure you have moved only one jumper,
and that it is the correct one.
If the machine seems dead after you flash the prom, then something has
probably gone wrong, and you may need a replacement system board. This
is very rare.
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