Document fins/I0658-1
FIN #: I0658-1
SYNOPSIS: Pre-fetch pipeline problems on Sun Blade 1000 and Sun Fire 280R
DATE: Mar/26/01
KEYWORDS: Pre-fetch pipeline problems on Sun Blade 1000 and Sun Fire 280R
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- Sun Proprietary/Confidential: Internal Use Only -
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FIELD INFORMATION NOTICE
(For Authorized Distribution by SunService)
SYNOPSIS: Service procedures for replacement of early-release
UltraSPARC III modules with Pre-fetch pipeline problems.
TOP FIN/FCO REPORT: Yes
PRODUCT_REFERENCE: Sun Blade 1000 & Sun Fire 280R
PRODUCT CATEGORY: Primary Category Secondary Category
DeskTop SW Admin
PRODUCTS AFFECTED:
Mkt_ID Platform Model Description Serial Number
------ -------- ----- ----------- -------------
Systems Affected
----------------
- A28 ALL Sun Blade 1000 -
- A35 ALL Sun Fire 280R -
X-Options Affected
------------------
- - - - -
PART NUMBERS AFFECTED:
Part Number Description Model
----------- ----------- -----
501-4999-07 (or less) ASSY CHEETAH 600MHZ 4MB Module -
501-5675-05 (or less) ASSY CHEETAH 750MHZ 8MB Module -
501-5969-02 (or less) ASSY CHEETAH 750MHZ LITE 8MB -
501-5988-02 (or less) ASSY CHEETAH 750MHZ LT REV3.4 -
REFERENCES:
PatchId: 
111228 - Hardware, Sun Blade 1000 & Sun Fire 280R,
FRU Update
ECO: WO_20181
WO_20123
LEAP: 1447
WW StopShip: WP001#15693
URL: http://sdpsweb.ebay/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0658-1_dir/658-1.SN.list
http://onestop.eng/sunblade1000_prefetch/
http://sdpsweb.ebay/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0658-1_dir/658.jpg
Sun Alert: 26070
PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:
Sun Engineering testing has identified a rare set of circumstances that
reveal a 'bug' in the pre-fetch pipeline control logic of the current
implementation of the UltraSPARC III microprocessor. This problem
affects the aforementioned modules indicated above.
Customers will be installing firmware patch 111228 to update the
pre-fetch pipeline control logic in systems with UltraSPARC III modules
which shipped prior to March 14, 2001. This includes Sun Blade 1000
and Sun Fire 280R systems. The 120 affected customers have been
contacted to describe the problem. Systems shipped after March 14,
2001 (system s/n greater than 111CXXXX) will have the firmware fix
installed at Sun Manufacturing vide Stop Ship WP001#15693. Corrective
action was implemented at Enterprise Services Logistics vide LEAP 1447.
System s/n's lower than 111CXXXX are affected. However there are some
exceptions and these are listed at the following URL:
http://sdpsweb.ebay/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0658-1_dir/658-1.SN.list
There are three service issues which are not addressed by the README
for Patch 111228:
1) Customers could have the patch in place and the system will work
fine, but if the CPU module fails it could be replaced with a module
that does not have the updated firmware. This could occur because
it takes some time (est. May 1, 2001)for all Logistics stocking
locations to purge the affected parts from inventory.
2) There is no way to determine if the firmware patch is loaded until
the patch is installed. If a CPU module is replaced, and the patch
firmware is not up to date, the Field or customer must install the
patch after swapping the CPU module.
3) If the Field runs the SunVTS kmem diag in the stress mode, CPU
modules with the updated firmware may fail. This will be a false
indication of a module failure.
Please follow the recommendations given in the Corrective Action section
when replacing CPU modules or running SunVTS diagnostics on UltraSPARC III
based systems. For more details about the UltraPSARC III pre-fetch pipeline
problem please see Sun Alert 26070 and the ONESTOP web page:
http://onestop.eng/sunblade1000_prefetch/ .
IMPLEMENTATION:
---
| | MANDATORY (Fully Pro-Active)
---
---
| | CONTROLLED PRO-ACTIVE (per Sun Geo Plan)
---
---
| X | REACTIVE (As Required)
---
CORRECTIVE ACTION:
An Authorized Enterprise Field Service Representative may avoid the
above mentioned problems by following the recommendations as shown
below.
If you replace a defective UltraSPARC III CPU module with a FRU which
came from any Sun Enterprise Service Logistics stocking location,
install Patch 111228 to make sure the firmware is updated. This
action must be followed only until May 1, 2001. After this date, all
CPU modules will have been purged from Logistics locations. The new
modules will have the updated firmware and do not need to be patched.
The modules with the updated firmware are:
501-4999-08 or higher ASSY UltraSPARC III 600MHZ 4MB Module
501-5675-06 or higher ASSY UltraSPARC III 750MHZ 8MB Module
501-5969-03 or higher ASSY UltraSPARC III 750MHZ LITE 8MB
501-5988-03 or higher ASSY UltraSPARC III 750MHZ LT REV3.4
If you run the /updater-SunBlade1000-01 utility from Patch 111228 it
is possible you may get one of the following messages. For the first
two messages, replace the CPU module as this indicates a defective
(DOA) module.
"Bad/Corrupted FRU"
"No matching part number supported"
If you get the following message,
"Device write protected"
the problem may be a misplaced jumper on the module. Refer to the following
URL for corrective action.
http://sdpsweb.ebay/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0658-1_dir/658.jpg
If you run SunVTS diagnostics on the system to test the module, run all
tests only in the default configuration. Do NOT run kmem in the
"stress"
mode. If you do, the module could indicate a false failure.
COMMENTS:
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Implementation Footnote:
i) In case of MANDATORY FINs, Enterprise Services will attempt to
contact all affected customers to recommend implementation of
the FIN.
ii) For CONTROLLED PROACTIVE FINs, Enterprise Services mission critical
support teams will recommend implementation of the FIN (to their
respective accounts), at the convenience of the customer.
iii) For REACTIVE FINs, Enterprise Services will implement the FIN as the
need arises.
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