Firmware/Driver Information for Controller PERC 4e/Di

They are advisable because they contain fixes for known issues with the hardware that can prevent certain problems before they are problems (timing, errors, recovery, etc.).  You will first need to update BIOS/ESM.  Because the controller's firmware is so old, I have included two firmware updates - to step it up.  This may spark a bit of debate on whether this is necessary, but I have seen to many bad firmware flashes when skipping too many updates.  Updates are "cummulative", meaning each update contains the code from each previous update, but in practice, it doesn't always work so nicely.  Same goes for the BIOS firmware, but I have flashed many 2850's from A02 to A07 without a problem.  In the end, it is up to you whether you run them or not.

BIOS - ftp://ftp.dell.com/bios/PE2800_BIOS_WIN_A07.EXE (reboot)

ESM - ftp://ftp.dell.com/esm/BMC_FRMW_WIN_R223079.EXE (doesn't require reboot, but fans will speed up during the update - lasts about 10 minutes)

RAID Driver - ftp://ftp.dell.com/scsi-raid/RAID_DRVR_WIN_R99970.EXE (skip reboot, reboot after firmware)

RAID Firmware (first) - ftp://ftp.dell.com/scsi-raid/RAID_FRMW_WIN_R119734.EXE (reboot)

RAID Firmware (second) - ftp://ftp.dell.com/scsi-raid/RAID_FRMW_WIN_R186634.EXE (reboot)

Backplane Firmware (you can skip if it is already at this level) - ftp://ftp.dell.com/esm/ESM_FRMW_WIN_R99806.EXE

Hard drive firmware - ftp://ftp.dell.com/scsi-drv/DELL_SCSI-HARD-DRIVE-FIRMWAR_A09_R182831.exe (creates bootable CD - boot to it and select non-interactive)

Hi ,

 

This solution was given to me by Dell and worked successfully.

 

How to Download the Patch from Microsoft Web Site

=====================================================

 

1. Using an Internet browser visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943545

2. Click on the "View and request hotfix downloads" link, 

   towards the top of the page

3. It is necessary to read and accept Microsoft service agreement in order 

   to download the patch

4. Expand the "(1) Show hotfixes for all platforms and languages (33)" section

   and select the OS version, language that applies to your system/systems.

5. Fill up the information on the "(2) Provide us with your e-mail address, type 

   the characters you see in the picture, and then click Request hotfix" section

   and click "Request hotfix"

6. Microsoft will send you an email with a link to download the hotfix and the 

   password needed for the installation

 

How to Install the Storport Hotfix

======================================

1. Download the zip file from the MS link provided on the email

2. Extract the content of the zip file to a known directory using the password 

   provided.

3. Double click on the *.exe file that was extracted and follow on screen 

   instructions to install the driver.

4. The hotfix will not be active until the system restarts.

Cheers

Boggy