Hello all -
Thanks so much for all the replies. Due to being extrmemly lucky on
Friday, our Sun rep was able to locate one in town and our problem
was resolved.
My original posting ...
|> Hello -
|>
|> Does anyone know about compatibility between boot PROMs between different
|> Sparc systems?
|>
|> We have a SparcStation II (4/75) with an outdated boot PROM and need a
|> more current one ASAP. We've checked all the other SparcStation IIs
|> around here and none are more current. Now, we'd like to know if a
|> boot PROM from any other type of Sparc might work.
|>
|> I've checked the FAQs and couldn't find any information (a table showing all
|> Sparc boot PROM compatibility, assuming there is some, would be really nice).
|>
|> We need this info ASAP!!
===============================================================================
From: Kevin.Sheehan@uniq.com.au (Kevin Sheehan {Consulting Poster Child})
[ Regarding "Boot PROM compatibility ....", debbiek@arlut.utexas.edu writes on Jun 16: ]
> Does anyone know about compatibility between boot PROMs between different
> Sparc systems?
yes.
>
> We have a SparcStation II (4/75) with an outdated boot PROM and need a
> more current one ASAP. We've checked all the other SparcStation IIs
> around here and none are more current. Now, we'd like to know if a
> boot PROM from any other type of Sparc might work.
Not likely (i.e. a no, but without the source in front of me :-) - the
proms are highly machine dependent. The other machines in that machine
class are the IPX and the ELC, neither of which I suspect will work in
your SS2. The 4m machines and earlier 4c machines will definitely not fly.
> I've checked the FAQs and couldn't find any information (a table showing all
> Sparc boot PROM compatibility, assuming there is some, would be really nice).
The proms are done custom to each machine - there *should* be some
compatiblity, but the differing times at which they are issued and the
fact that addressing of devices changes with implementation make this
unlikely.
===============================================================================
From: Adrian Cole/Computervision
<Adrian_Cole/Computervision@ausns1.cv.com>
Boot Proms are unique to each system, for that functionality, you just can't
swap one to another normally.
===============================================================================
From: ralph_b@oldham.gpsemi.COM (Ralph Bolton)
> Does anyone know about compatibility between boot PROMs between different
> Sparc systems?
>
> We have a SparcStation II (4/75) with an outdated boot PROM and need a
> more current one ASAP. We've checked all the other SparcStation IIs
> around here and none are more current. Now, we'd like to know if a
> boot PROM from any other type of Sparc might work.
I'm not sure about that, but I've been asked to replace the motherboard in a
number of sparc 2s with a 3rd party one, it's called an Axilerate upgrade
(can get supplier info if requ'd). It's a neat product, improved performace,
but costs less than a new machine, plus you get new boot prom s/ware. We
had a similar probelem as you, but we didin't esp. need to change the prom.
The users wanted more peroformance, so we opted for this.
===============================================================================
From: kurt.stype@babss.COM
Sorry to break the news to you but the answer is NO. I checked thru my
latest FE handbook and there is one part number serise for the ss-2.
It is not compatable with the SS-1, SS1+, IPC, IPX ,SLC, etc.
I imagine the rev you need is 2./, if so, the part number is
525-1107-10. They also listed a boot PROM kit pn 595-2249-xx. You can
order these thru SunExpress 1-800-USE-SUNX. I don't think they cost
that much.
Hope this helps!
Kurt Stype
===============================================================================
From: Stephen P Richardson <spr@myxa.com>
Quoting Debbie Keyes Tropiano:
>
> Does anyone know about compatibility between boot PROMs between different
> Sparc systems?
>
I am fairly sure that the boot PROMs cannot be switched between
dissimilar systems. The information contained in them is *very*
hardware dependent. Even if it appears to work at first, I
would be very concerned about hidden corruption or errors that
could be disasterous later on. When I worked at Sun, several
people told me that there were places where boot PROMs could be
manufactured - for some this was a way around licensing. I
don't have any names or addresses, but this may be another
solution worth investigating.
Good luck,
Stephen
===============================================================================
From: John Rosenberg <jcr@bgumby.bwh.harvard.edu>
> From: debbiek@arlut.utexas.edu (Debbie Keyes Tropiano)
> Subject: Boot PROM compatibility ....
> To: sun-managers@ra.mcs.anl.gov
> Date: Fri, 16 Jun 1995 15:41:35 -0600 (CDT)
>
> We have a SparcStation II (4/75) with an outdated boot PROM and need a
> more current one ASAP. We've checked all the other SparcStation IIs
> around here and none are more current. Now, we'd like to know if a
> boot PROM from any other type of Sparc might work.
Short answer: No, almost always. Call your Sun rep (1-800-USA-4SUN; and
do I hate that phone no.!) and order proms. You can simply try another
of course, but I suggest being patient and just buying the most up to date
one for YOUR machines. Also, you can try the various ads in the Sun trade
magazines, who might be able to respond more quickly. Downside: If you
get the wrong thing, any Sun technician you might have over to look at your
machine might see the new PROM chip and say 'bye bye, you used brand X, it's
your problem.'.
Good luck.
===============================================================================
-- | Debbie Keyes Tropiano, Systems Administrator | debbiek@arlut.utexas.edu | | Advanced Sonar Group/Advanced Sonar Division | +1 512 835 3367 w | | Applied Research Laboratories of UT Austin | +1 512 835 3259 fax | | P.O. Box 8029, Austin, TX 78713-8029 | home email: debbie@icus.com |
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