S2600BP Configuration and Recovery Jumpers

Intel® S2600BP motherboard jumper settings.

The Intel® S2600BP motherboard has several 3-pin jumper blocks that can be used to configure, protect, or recover specific features of the motherboard. Refer to Figure 1 to locate each jumper block on the motherboard. Pin 1 of each jumper block can be identified by the arrowhead (▼) silk screened next to the pin. The default position for each jumper block is pins 1 and 2.

BMC Force Update (J6B3)

When performing a standard BMC firmware update procedure, the update utility places the BMC into an update mode, allowing the firmware to load safely onto the flash device. In the unlikely event the BMC firmware update process fails due to the BMC not being in the proper update state, the server board provides a BMC Force Update jumper (J6B3) which will force the BMC into the proper update state. The following procedure should be followed in the event the standard BMC firmware update process fails.

Normal BMC functionality is disabled with the Force BMC Update jumper set to the enabled position. You should never run the server with the BMC Force Update jumper set in this position. You should use this jumper setting only when the standard firmware update process fails. This jumper should remain in the default/disabled position when the server is running normally

To perform a Force BMC Update, follow these steps:
  1. Move the jumper (J6B3) from the default operating position (covering pins 1 and 2) to the enabled position (covering pins 2 and 3).
  2. Power on the server by pressing the power button on the front panel.
  3. Perform the BMC firmware update procedure as documented in the Release Notes included in the given BMC firmware update package. After successful completion of the firmware update process, the firmware update utility may generate an error stating the BMC is still in update mode.
  4. Power down the server.
  5. Move the jumper from the enabled position (covering pins 2 and 3) to the disabled position (covering pins 1 and 2).
  6. Power up the server.

ME Force Update (J4B1)

When this 3-pin jumper is set, it manually puts the ME firmware in update mode, which enables the user to update ME firmware code when necessary.

Normal ME functionality is disabled with the Force ME Update jumper set to the enabled position. You should never run the server with the ME Force Update jumper set in this position. You should only use this jumper setting when the standard firmware update process fails. This jumper should remain in the default/disabled position when the server is running normally.

To perform a Force ME Update, follow these steps:
  1. Move the jumper (J4B1) from the default operating position (covering pins 1 and 2) to the enabled position (covering pins 2 and 3).
  2. Power on the server by pressing the power button on the front panel.
  3. Perform the ME firmware update procedure as documented in the Release Notes file that is included in the given system update package.
  4. Power down the server.
  5. Move the jumper from the enabled position (covering pins 2 and 3) to the disabled position (covering pins 1 and 2).
  6. Power up the server.

Password Clear (J4B2)

The user sets this 3-pin jumper to clear the password. This jumper causes both the User password and the Administrator password to be cleared if they were set. The operator should be aware that this creates a security gap until passwords have been installed again.

No method of resetting BIOS configuration settings to the default values will affect either the Administrator or User passwords.

This is the only method by which the Administrator and User passwords can be cleared unconditionally. Other than this jumper, passwords can only be set or cleared by changing them explicitly in BIOS Setup or by similar means

The recommended steps for clearing the User and Administrator passwords are:
  1. Move the jumper (J4B2) from the default operating position (covering pins 1 and 2) to the enabled position (covering pins 2 and 3).
  2. Power on the server by pressing the power button on the front panel.
  3. Boot into the BIOS Setup. Check the Error Manager tab for POST Error Codes:
    • 5221 Passwords cleared by jumper
    • 5224 Password clear jumper is set
  4. Power down the server.
  5. Move the jumper from the enabled position (covering pins 2 and 3) to the disabled position (covering pins 1 and 2).
  6. Power up the server.
  7. Strongly recommended: Boot into the BIOS Setup immediately, go to the Security tab and set the Administrator and User passwords if you intend to use BIOS password protection.

BIOS Recovery Mode (J4B3)

If a system is completely unable to boot successfully to an OS, hangs during POST, or even hangs and fails to start executing POST, it may be necessary to perform a BIOS Recovery procedure, which can replace a defective copy of the Primary BIOS.

The BIOS introduces three mechanisms to start the BIOS recovery process, which is called Recovery Mode:
  • The Recovery Mode Jumper causes the BIOS to boot in Recovery Mode.
  • The Boot Block detects partial BIOS update and automatically boots in Recovery Mode.
  • The BMC asserts Recovery Mode GPIO in case of partial BIOS update and FRB2 time-out.

The BIOS Recovery takes place without any external media or Mass Storage device as it utilizes the Backup BIOS inside the BIOS flash in Recovery Mode. The Recovery procedure is included here for general reference. However, if in conflict, the instructions in the BIOS Release Notes are the definitive version

When Recovery Mode Jumper is set, the BIOS begins with a “Recovery Start” event logged to the SEL, loads and boots with the Backup BIOS image inside the BIOS flash itself. This process takes place before any video or console is available. The system boots up into the Shell directly while a “Recovery Complete” SEL logged. An external media is required to store the BIOS update package and steps are the same as the normal BIOS update procedures. After the update is complete, there will be a message displayed stating that the “BIOS has been updated successfully" indicating the BIOS update process is finished. The User should then switch the recovery jumper back to normal operation and restart the system by performing a power cycle.

If the BIOS detects partial BIOS update or the BMC asserts Recovery Mode GPIO, the BIOS will boot up with Recovery Mode. The difference is that the BIOS boots up to the Error Manager Page in the BIOS Setup utility. In the BIOS Setup utility, boot device, Shell or Linux for example, could be selected to perform the BIOS update procedure under Shell or OS environment.

Again, before starting to perform a Recovery Boot, be sure to check the BIOS Release Notes and verify the Recovery procedure shown in the Release Notes.

The following steps demonstrate this recovery process:
  1. Move the jumper (J4B3) from the default operating position (covering pins 1 and 2) to the BIOS Recovery position (covering pins 2 and 3).
  2. Power on the server.
  3. The BIOS will load and boot with the backup BIOS image without any video or display.
  4. When the compute module boots into the EFI shell directly, the BIOS recovery is successful.
  5. Power off the server.
  6. Move the jumper (J4B3) back to the normal position (covering pins 1 and 2).
  7. Put the server back into the rack. A normal BIOS update can be performed if needed.

BIOS Default (J4B4)

This jumper causes the BIOS Setup settings to be reset to their default values. On previous generations of server boards, this jumper has been referred to as “Clear CMOS”, or “Clear NVRAM”. Setting this jumper according to the procedure below will clear all current contents of NVRAM variable storage, and then load the BIOS default settings.

This jumper does not reset Administrator or User passwords. In order to reset passwords, the Password Clear jumper must be used.

The recommended steps to reset to the BIOS defaults are:
  1. Move the jumper from pins 1-2 to pins 2-3 momentarily. It is not necessary to leave the jumper in place while rebooting.
  2. Restore the jumper from pins 2-3 to the normal setting of pins 1-2.
  3. Boot the system into Setup. Check the Error Manager tab, and you should see POST Error Codes:
    • 0012 System RTC date/time not set
    • 5220 BIOS Settings reset to default settings
  4. Go to the Setup Main tab, and set the System Date and System Time to the correct current settings. Make any other changes that are required in Setup – for example, Boot Order.