Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2001 13:32:05 -0800 (PST) From: Murray Stokely <murray@osd.bsdi.com> To: <freebsd-doc@freebsd.org> Subject: Updated ThinkPad BIOS images to correct boot failure on FreeBSD (fwd) Message-ID: <Pine.BSF.4.31.0102151330240.46200-100000@meow.osd.bsdi.com>
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This is a response from IBM about the Thinkpad BIOS issue. Our
users pretty much found this out a week ago but now that we have
something semi-official from IBM we might want to update the FAQ?
- Murray
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2001 16:27:05 -0500
From: Keith Frechette <kfrechet@us.ibm.com>
To: murray@osd.bsdi.com
Cc: mperry@linuxcare.com
Subject: Updated ThinkPad BIOS images to correct boot failure on FreeBSD
Murray,
As I mentioned to you at LinuxWorld, ThinkPad has been working on updated
BIOS images to correct the boot failure that occurs when FreeBSD is
installed on some ThinkPad models. Please release the following
information onto those FreeBSD discussion forums, mailing lists, and other
resources that you feel are appropriate. If you have questions, feel free
to call me or send me e-mail. When posting this information, feel free to
site me as a source if it seems appropriate.
==============================================================================
IBM has released updated BIOS images to correct a problem with using
FreeBSD
on several ThinkPad models.
Problem description:
On several models of IBM's A-series and T-series ThinkPad notebook
computers, installing FreeBSD results in the system's inability to
boot from any device.
Cause of the problem:
During system initialization, the BIOS searches the hard disk for a
FAT
file system containing a hibernation file (a.k.a. suspend-to-disk
file).
On some systems, the BIOS erroneously masks off numerous upper bits
when
checking the partition ID, which results in the BIOS mistakenly
determining that the FreeBSD partition is a FAT partition. The BIOS
then
appears to hang as it tries to parse the FreeBSD file system as if it
were
a FAT file system.
The fix:
The corresponding BIOS images have been updated such that the BIOS
only
masks off the "hidden" bit when checking the partition ID.
Updated BIOS images:
The following BIOS image releases incorporate the fix.
T20: IYET49WW or later
T21: KZET22WW or later
A20p: IVET62WW or later
A20m: IWET54WW or later
A21p: KYET27WW or later
A21m: KXET24WW or later
A21e: KUET30WW (soon to be released)
==============================================================================
-- Keith
Keith Frechette
Linux Development Lead, Mobile Computing Options and Software Development
IBM Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
kfrechet@us.ibm.com / 919-543-3761 / TieLine:441-3761
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