Configuring BIOS Settings for New Linux Installations

For all new Linux Operating System installations, you should verify that the following BIOS settings are properly configured before you begin installing Linux:

Caution

The Sun Blade BIOS factory defaults are not suitable for some versions of Linux. If you do not set them as instructed in the following procedure, you may not be able to install or even boot Linux with the BIOS factory defaults.

You can view and permanently change the factory default settings in the BIOS Setup Utility by pressing F2 during the BIOS start-up. Note that all changes you make in the BIOS Setup Utility (through F2) are permanent until the next time you change them.

Tip

During the OS installation, if you need to set a temporary boot device, you can specify a one-time boot device by pressing F8 during the BIOS start-up. Note that this temporary boot device setting is only in effect for the current system boot. After the system boots from a temporary boot device, the permanent boot device setting specified through F2 will be in effect.

Note

The example screens in the following procedure are provided to assist you through the procedure. Note that the software version numbers shown in the example screens may not match the software version numbers shown in your BIOS screens.

Use the following procedure to learn how to view and change the BIOS settings related to new installations.

Before You Begin

Before you can configure the BIOS settings for a new installation, you must have one of the following console options ready to use:

  • Sun ILOM Remote Console (via ILOM web interface)

  • Console via ssh connection

  • Console via VGA port connection

  • Console via serial port connection

For more information about these console options, see Console Options.

What to Do

Follow these steps to view or edit the BIOS settings for new Linux installations.

  1. Reset the Sun Blade Server Module, for example:

    • From the ILOM web interface, select Reset on the Remote Power Control tab.

      or

    • Press the Power button (momentary, 1 second) on the front panel of the blade turn off the blade, then press the Power button (momentary, 1 second) to turn on the blade.

    The BIOS screen appears.

  2. When prompted in the BIOS screen, press F2 to access the BIOS Setup Utility.

    The BIOS Setup Utility appears.

  3. To automatically load the optimal defaults do the following:

    1. Press F9.

      A message appears prompting you to continue this operation by selecting OK or to cancel this operation by selecting Cancel.

    2. In the load optimal defaults message, select OK to continue loading the defaults, then press Enter.

    The BIOS Setup Utility screen appears with the cursor selecting the first value in the system time field.

  4. In the BIOS Setup Utility, you can edit the system time or date by using these keys:

    • PLUS (+) to increment the current value shown

    • MINUS (-) to decrement the current value shown

    • ENTER to move the cursor to the next value field

    • UP or DOWN arrow keys to change between the system time and date selection

  5. To access the boot settings, use the (left or right) arrow key to select the Boot menu.

    The Boot Settings menu appears.

  6. In the Boot Settings menu, use the down arrow key to select Boot Device Priority, then press Enter.

    The Boot Device Priority menu appears listing the order of the known bootable devices.

  7. In the Boot Device Priority menu, do the following to edit the boot order:

    1. Use the up and down arrow keys to select the slot-order to change, then press Enter. The Boot Device Options menu appears.

    2. In the Options menu, select the device you want to move into the slot-order selected in Step 7a, then press Enter.

    Note

    You can change the boot order for other devices in the list by repeating Steps 7a and 7b for each device entry you want to change.

    The specified device appears in the specified slot order on the Boot Device Priority menu.

  8. Press Escape to exit the Boot Device Priority menu.

  9. Use the left and right arrow key to select the Advanced menu.

    The Advanced menu appears.

  10. In the Advanced ACPI Settings menu, select Advanced ACPI Configuration and press Enter.

    The Advanced ACPI Configuration menu appears.

  11. In the Advanced ACPI Configuration menu, use the arrow keys to select the ACPI MCFG Table and press Enter.

    The ACPI options menu appears.

  12. In the ACPI options menu, do one of the following:

    • For RHEL4 U3 and U4, set ACPI MCFG Table to No.

    • For all other Linux OS, set ACPI MCFG Table to Yes.

    Caution

    Certain versions of Linux will not install or boot with MCFG set to YES. You may need to change this setting to NO.

  13. Press Escape to exit the Advanced ACPI Configuration menu.

    The Advanced Settings menu appears.

  14. In the Advanced Settings menu, use the up and down arrow keys to select the AMD PowerNow Configuration then press Enter.

    The AMD PowerNow Configuration menu appears.

  15. In the AMD PowerNow Configuration menu, use the + (plus) or - (minus) keys to change the setting to Enabled.

    Note

    The AMD Power Now setting for the X8440 Server Module is preconfigured to Enabled. The AMD Power Now setting for the X8400 and X8420 Server Modules must be manually set to Enabled.

    The Options pop-up menu appears.

  16. In the Options pop-up menu, select Enabled then press Enter.

  17. To save the changes made and exit the utility, press F10; unless you are performing this step from the ILOM Remote Console application, in this case, select F10 from the ILOM Remote Console -> Keyboard menu.

    The Exit menu appears.

  18. In the Exit screen, select the option to Save Changes and Exit then press Enter.