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  • Processor Vital Product Data (VPD) on Bermuda ? Re: IBM PS/2 76 486, 77

    From Louis Ohland@21:1/5 to Louis Ohland on Wed Feb 1 08:26:39 2023
    The PS/2 76, 77 and Ultimedia M77 systems built-in support for Processor Vital Product Data (VPD) will be enabled upon installation
    of an IML update diskette. The IML update diskette, targeted for
    delivery November 1992, will be sent, free of charge, to customers
    who complete and return the registration card. Customers also have
    the option to request the IML update diskette by calling
    800-845-4263. The systems built after November 1992, will not
    require the IML update for the VPD enabling.


    Louis Ohland wrote:
    https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/ShowDoc.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_ca/3/897/ENUS192-223/index.html


    Bermuda. Skimpy.

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  • From Louis Ohland@21:1/5 to Louis Ohland on Wed Feb 1 08:37:56 2023
    https://www.ardent-tool.com/76_77/Bermuda.html#Bermuda_Planar

    Louis Ohland wrote:
           The PS/2 76, 77 and Ultimedia M77 systems built-in support for Processor Vital Product Data (VPD) will be enabled upon installation
    of an IML update diskette.  The IML update diskette, targeted for
    delivery November 1992, will be sent, free of charge, to customers
    who complete and return the registration card.  Customers also have
    the option to request the IML update diskette by calling
    800-845-4263.  The systems built after November 1992, will not
    require the IML update for the VPD enabling.


    Louis Ohland wrote:
    https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/ShowDoc.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_ca/3/897/ENUS192-223/index.html


    Bermuda. Skimpy.

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    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From IBMMuseum@21:1/5 to All on Wed Feb 1 10:03:08 2023
    I think IBM is referring to support of the Intel 486DX2-66 CPU with Write-Back cache (S-spec 'SX955') on the Bermuda - I don't remember how I was testing the CPU I had. There might be a typo for the 'SX954' S-spec (486DX2-50 with WB cache), since it
    would be the same stepping as 'SX955': https://www.ardent-tool.com/CPU/486_Step.html

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  • From Louis Ohland@21:1/5 to IBMMuseum on Wed Feb 1 12:33:59 2023
    VPD = CPU?



    IBMMuseum wrote:
    I think IBM is referring to support of the Intel 486DX2-66 CPU with Write-Back cache (S-spec 'SX955') on the Bermuda - I don't remember how I was testing the CPU I had. There might be a typo for the 'SX954' S-spec (486DX2-50 with WB cache), since it
    would be the same stepping as 'SX955': https://www.ardent-tool.com/CPU/486_Step.html


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  • From Tomas Slavotinek@21:1/5 to Louis Ohland on Wed Feb 1 20:40:52 2023
    The location and extent of the VPD info depend on the system.

    The systems with the T4 complex have some of the info stored directly in
    the flash BIOS image (the update procedure copies this unique
    information to the new image on the BIOS update). I'd have to check to
    refresh my memory but IIRC this consists just of the complex S/N and
    FRU. Planar S/N (and FRU?) together with the system unit S/N are in the
    EEPROM. Some of this information is replicated in the NVRAM together
    with some unique data. That is how the system can tell that the
    processor complex was changed, even if you replace it with the exact
    same type.

    The 85 K/N BIOS image contains the VPD structure, but I don't think this
    is actually used. It probably uses just the EEPROM and NVRAM.

    Lacuna's BIOS image doesn't have the VPD struct. and uses EEPROM and NVRAM.

    The ROM/IML systems w/ the planar EEPROM most likely use the same scheme
    as well.

    You can check what VPD data is available in the "Display Revision
    Levels" part of the system programs.

    On 01.02.2023 19:33, Louis Ohland wrote:
    VPD = CPU?



    IBMMuseum wrote:
    I think IBM is referring to support of the Intel 486DX2-66 CPU with
    Write-Back cache (S-spec 'SX955') on the Bermuda - I don't remember
    how I was testing the CPU I had. There might be a typo for the 'SX954'
    S-spec (486DX2-50 with WB cache), since it would be the same stepping
    as 'SX955': https://www.ardent-tool.com/CPU/486_Step.html


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