How to update BIOS in IBM eServer x336 box and Linux install
Recently purchased 3 BIM eServer x336 boxes.
I want to update the BIOS from v 1.10 to v 1.17....don't know how and have not found out how??
Ultimately I want a fresh install of the recommended Linux OS...any input here is appreciated.
Was initially going for Ubuntu Server flavor but can not find install package that is CD-ROM based....the x336 is CD-ROM 650mb based and will not see DVD???
Don't know if the v 1.17 BIOS will fix that; have also tried to use a external DVD unit plugged into a USB port...no luck there either.
Please any and all help will be appreciatged.
I want to update the BIOS from v 1.10 to v 1.17....don't know how and have not found out how??
Ultimately I want a fresh install of the recommended Linux OS...any input here is appreciated.
Was initially going for Ubuntu Server flavor but can not find install package that is CD-ROM based....the x336 is CD-ROM 650mb based and will not see DVD???
Don't know if the v 1.17 BIOS will fix that; have also tried to use a external DVD unit plugged into a USB port...no luck there either.
Please any and all help will be appreciatged.
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I can't see why the server should only recognize certain Linux distro's. What happens when you try to boot from the Zentyal boot CD? Do you get any error messages?
ASKER
During boot is says it does does go the CD drive and then it does not recognize a supported OS which is why I am trying to figure out how to flash the BIOS to a vanilla BIOS.
Have you tried booting the CD from another PC? Have you tried replacing the CD drive in the server?
ASKER
Hi again,
Sorry for the late reply....
It turns out, maybe, that the mbr was/is missing from the CD, tried another and it did "begin" to boot but then stopped with a ADO missing??
Rather than keeping folks waiting for me to get back them I will award and close this thread.
Thanks for the insight and direciton.
Chuck
Sorry for the late reply....
It turns out, maybe, that the mbr was/is missing from the CD, tried another and it did "begin" to boot but then stopped with a ADO missing??
Rather than keeping folks waiting for me to get back them I will award and close this thread.
Thanks for the insight and direciton.
Chuck
ASKER
Hi again,
Sorry for the lateness reply...still do not know how to flash a "generic" Linux BIOS which will...
I hope remove the OS restriction and allow a clean install of Zenytal.
While I do appreciate the responses I did receive you all can see by chandranjoy response that only certain OS are support....restricting any install other than the supported by IBM.
Thanks again,
Chuck
Sorry for the lateness reply...still do not know how to flash a "generic" Linux BIOS which will...
I hope remove the OS restriction and allow a clean install of Zenytal.
While I do appreciate the responses I did receive you all can see by chandranjoy response that only certain OS are support....restricting any install other than the supported by IBM.
Thanks again,
Chuck
There is no "Generic Linux BIOS". Linux is the OS and has nothing whatsoever to do with the BIOS.
Also, the OS's and Linux versions the manufacturer supports is in all cases I know of, nothing but what they OFFICIALLY support. For those Official OS's you can get support from the manufacturer, for other OS's not. Normally they only officially support the commercial products like Red Hat or SUSE.
That doesn't mean you can't install other OS's, you just won't get help from the manufacturer.
Unless you have very new hardware with UEFI BIOS and secure boot enabled, you can always install other OS's that aren't in the official supported list. If it is a server with UEFI and secureboot enabled, you have to disable secureboot, and then you can install any Linux OS you want, provided it is built for the CPU version.
Also, the OS's and Linux versions the manufacturer supports is in all cases I know of, nothing but what they OFFICIALLY support. For those Official OS's you can get support from the manufacturer, for other OS's not. Normally they only officially support the commercial products like Red Hat or SUSE.
That doesn't mean you can't install other OS's, you just won't get help from the manufacturer.
Unless you have very new hardware with UEFI BIOS and secure boot enabled, you can always install other OS's that aren't in the official supported list. If it is a server with UEFI and secureboot enabled, you have to disable secureboot, and then you can install any Linux OS you want, provided it is built for the CPU version.
ASKER
Looked up Zentyal and it is exactly what I'm looking for.
However it will not install on an IBM eServer x336. The x336 bios ONLY recognizes certain Linux variants as Jay points out.
The solution I 'think' is that I need to install a BIOS that will overwrite that restriction and that will allow the Zentyal install.
I can not find, figure out how to do that??
ChuckInAtl