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SCSI Library Firmware Update Tool (mstm Online Help)

The Firmware Update Tool allows you to update firmware on a SCSI library storage device.

To update the firmware on a device, make sure the firmware update file is on the Unit Under Test (UUT), select the device at the main STM menu, select the firmware update file (at the main STM menu or in the firmware update tool), then start the update process.

CAUTION: Make sure you select the correct firmware file for the device! Updating a device with incorrect firmware can make the device permanently unusable and data could be lost.

Introduction

Many devices such as tapes and disks contain firmware (software built in to the device). The firmware usually has instructions and data critical to the operation of the device, for example, low-level routines and ID information.

At times, you may want to update the firmware on the device. For example, the manufacturer of the device may release a new version of firmware with enhanced routines or bug fixes.

The firmware update tool checks to see that the selected firmware update file exists. If possible, it verifies that the file is appropriate for the selected device. However, this is not always possible, especially for older or non-HP devices. Therefore you should always make sure that the file is correct, as supplied by the manufacturer.

Serious problems may result if you specify an incorrect file. If the firmware update tool does not detect that the file is incorrect, the device could become corrupted and unusable; all data on the device may be lost.

Once you have started the update process, you may type Control C to interrupt or abort the process. In general, you should avoid using these interrupts unless absolutely necessary since there is a small chance that firmware on the device could be corrupted. You may choose to interrupt the update process if you suddenly realize that you selected an incorrect firmware update file.

To avoid an "Abort" or "Interrupt" leaving the device in a corrupted state, the firmware update tool does not respond to these during critical phases (for example, when the device driver is active).

If you experience problems, consult the Troubleshooting help topic.

Step-by-Step Instructions

To update the firmware on a device:

If you run into problems, see the Troubleshooting help topic.

For more explicit instructions refer to the help for the main STM interface; see the topic "To Update the Firmware on a Specific Device" under "On Tasks".

Troubleshooting

Problems may occur with the device being updated, the firmware update file, or the actual update process.

For detailed information on the problem, consult the Failure Log (if any) and the Test Activity Log, accessible from the STM main window.

Firmware Update Tool Commands

The Firmware Update Tool offers the following commands:

Save As

Use the Save As command to save the contents of the Tool's main window. (Only the most recent 200 lines can be saved.)

Print

Use the Print command to print the contents of the Tool's main window. (Only the most recent 200 lines can be printed.)

Change FW Directory

The Change FW Directory command is used to select the directory where the tool will use to search for the firmware update files.

CAUTION: Make sure you select the correct firmware file for the device! Updating a device with incorrect firmware can make the device permanently unusable and data could be lost.

Use the Start Menu command or the Advanced Menu command to start the firmware update.

Exit

Use the Exit command to leave the firmware update tool and return to the main STM window.

Start Menu

Use the Start Menu command to start the firmware update process using the selected file.

Before the tool performs the update, it prompts you to confirm continuation of the firmware update.

Advanced Menu

Use the Advanced Menu command to start the firmware update process and to select a particular firmware file.

Before the tool performs the update, it prompts you to confirm continuation of the firmware update.

CAUTION: If absolutely necessary, you can type Control C to interrupt the update process; however, it is not advisable.

As the update process continues, the tool displays progress messages in its window. After the firmware update is complete, the device is reset. You can leave the firmware update tool with the Exit command.

General Help

Use the General Help command to start online help for the firmware update tool. For information on using the help system, select the "Using Help..." command in the Help menu in the Help window.

For online help on STM as a whole, use the Help menu in the STM main window.

Version

Use the Version command to display version and copyright information for the firmware update tool.

REFRESH

The REFRESH function key is used to redisplay the current screen.

Control C

Hitting Control C (CNTL C) while the tool is executing will cause the following function keys to be displayed:

ESCAPE TO UI

The ESCAPE TO UI function key allows you to disconnect from the currently executing tool and return to the main UI command level. To reconnect to the tool, use the ATTACH function key in the UI.

INTERRUPT

The INTERRUPT function key allows you to interrupt the tool.

When the tool receives the interrupt, it stops whatever it is doing and asks you if you want to continue with the operation. If the reply is "Continue", the tool resumes what it was doing at the time of the interrupt. If the reply is "Abort", it terminates the operation and returns to the Main Level function keys.

The tool may not immediately receive the interrupt as it could be in the middle of an operation that should not or cannot be interrupted. The interrupt will be received as soon as the tool completes the operation.

It is possible but not advisable to click on the Interrupt function key during the update process. In general, you should avoid using this function key unless absolutely necessary since there is a small chance that firmware on the device could be corrupted. You may choose to click on the Interrupt function key if you suddenly realize that you selected an incorrect firmware update file.

To avoid an "Interrupt" leaving the device in a corrupted state, the firmware update tool does not respond to Interrupt during critical phases (for example, when the device driver is active).

When the tool is already in the process of returning to the Main Level function keys, it ignores user interrupts.

ABORT

The ABORT function key allows you to abort the tool, halting its execution. The tool will be requested to abort and the state of the tool execution in the system map will be set to ABORT_PENDING. When the tool actually exits, it's state will be set to ABORTED.

It is possible but not advisable to click on the Abort function key during the update process. In general, you should avoid using this function key unless absolutely necessary since there is a small chance that firmware on the device could be corrupted. You may choose to click on the Abort function key if you suddenly realize that you selected an incorrect firmware update file.

To avoid an "Abort" leaving the device in a corrupted state, the firmware update tool does not respond to Abort during critical phases (for example, when the device driver is active).

CONTINUE

The CONTINUE function key allows you to continue with tool execution. The tool will continue execution just as if the Control C had not been hit.


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URL: http://docs.hp.com/hpux/onlinedocs/diag/stm/help/fw_update/scsi_libm.htm
Last updated: Wed May 23 14:24:50 PDT 2001