If I flash the firmware on my SCSI card, I lose all my settings and the array is hosed, right?

[MichaelD]

A good friend alerted me to the fact that there's a new firmware out for my SCSI RAID card (LSI Megaraid 1600 Elite).

I couldn't thank said good friend, nor ask him this question b/c he has his PMs turned OFF.

I want to flash it, but don't want to hose my array. I have a Ghost image of the install, plus recent backups of all important stuff, so a reload wouldn't be a huge inconvenience. Still, I'd like to avoid it if possible.

If I go ahead and flash, is my array hosed? Thanks.

 

[jose]

I'd think that you would loose all your current settings, don't know about the array info. But you should be able to backup to floppy your array volumn information.

Regards,
Jose

 

[MichaelD]

Hmm, I didn't think of backing up the config, Jose. I'll check that out.

 

[bacillus]

usually to flash your scsi card you remove all devices attached before flashing & do the flash in pure dos. nb I've only dealt with adaptec scsi cards.
after flashing you should be able to re-enter all your settings then reattach your devices

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks Bacillus. So, I have to disconnect the SCSI drives before flashing? Hmm, I wouldn't have thought to do that, but now that I think about it, it's probably a very good idea.

I have a DOS boot disc. Keep that puppy handy all the time. The floppy is far from dead.

Rock on, floppy. :beer:

 

[sharkeeper]

There is no need to do anything.

Just flash and go.

LSI HBA has the config written in both places (disk and NVRAM) so you won't have an issue here. The worst that can happen is corrupted BIOS block due to power anomaly. NEVER flash without a UPS!

EDIT: I had no idea PM's were OFF! Must've been from the forum upgrade. Makes sense now as I was wondering if everyone that I've been sending PM's to was ignoring them, on vacation or lived in FL!

Cheers!

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: sharkeeper
There is no need to do anything.

Just flash and go.

LSI HBA has the config written in both places (disk and NVRAM) so you won't have an issue here. The worst that can happen is corrupted BIOS block due to power anomaly. NEVER flash without a UPS!

EDIT: I had no idea PM's were OFF! Must've been from the forum upgrade. Makes sense now as I was wondering if everyone that I've been sending PM's to was ignoring them, on vacation or lived in FL!

Cheers!

Thanks very much, Sharkeeper. Going to flash now.

 

[MichaelD]

The flash went very well. Followed the LSI instructions to the letter: Boot from MS-DOS boot floppy, swap floppies for the one w/the flash utility and firmware on it, type MFLASH, follow the prompts. Life is good.

Here's an ATTO screenie taken with the new firmware

Single WDSE 120GB IDE drive

SCSI doubters, heed the results! That's with two 15K rpm, 18GB SCSI drives. No, it's not cheap. The prettiest girl in town never is. :beer: