How to update firmware on H700 without OS?

Question

We have R610's w/ H700 raid controller that we need to update the firmware for. However we don't have any OS loaded.

I found the newest firmware files on Dell that don't require any OS and run a .bat file. (Instructions below)

How do I make a bootable media to utilize this? Do I need DOS boot disk?

1. Copy extracted files to bootable media.
2. Reboot system to bootable media.
3. Execute update.bat to perform flash.
5. After flash is complete, remove bootable media.
4. Reboot system for changes to take effect.

tommo666 · Accepted Answer

The download is for the 32 bit diags, the main screen lets you select what type of boot media you want. Use a USB stick less than 2gb and select that from the program. It will format the usb stick and copy the required boot files. Once complete place it in a desktop and browse to the usb stick and copy the firmware folder to it.

Put the USB stick in the server and boot, press F12 during post to bring up the onetime boot menu. Scroll down the selections, when you get to the Hard disk, the entry will split into 2 items. The disk and the USB, select the usb and enter.

It will boot to a dos screen containing 3 entries, mpmemory diags, 32 diags and quit/exit. Select exit and it will drop to a dos prompt D:/> this is the ram disk so type c: to change to the usb stick, then type cd and type update.bat

tommo666 · Answer

You can update the whole system using the USC, press F10 to enter system services, configure the network setting then select platform update. It will conect to ftp.dell.com, compare the repository on your sytem to the catalogue on the site and inform which upfrades are available. Select the ones you want and upgrade.

Azaleos · Answer

So this is assuming we have network ...i'm assuming the update.bat will run under a command prompt, so that's all I need.

Azaleos · Answer

Ha that USC is a joke.  It downloaded the catalog but the H700 version that is shows the newest version is the version that is already loaded onto the box...not the REAL newest version...

tommo666 · Answer

Ok, so the firmware file is a month old, it may take a while to update the repository. So do it from bootable media.

tommo666 · Answer

The easy way, download this www.dell.com/.../DriverFileFormats and run it. Create a usb boot device, copy the frimware files to a folder on the usb. Boot from it, then exit to a dos prompt. change drive c: then cd and run the bat file.

Azaleos · Answer

What type of bootable do I need to make?  I've tried emulating 1.44 floppy and boot to dos, but it won't recognize the oakcdrom.sys nor the ram drive file, thus cannot get to the .bat file.  It's either the hardware/bios that won't support the legacy drivers, or because it's 64 bit.

Azaleos · Answer

If you're talking about the link you posted earlier, I think that's the wrong link.  It's an 'online' diag tool that only allows tests to be run.  No option to make boot disk.

Azaleos · Answer

nevermind, found the right one...

DELL-Rey G · Answer

Oh, and the catalog was updated last week, so the latest of almost everything should get picked up by the USC.

DELL-Rey G · Answer

last item, the USC can use a single WINDOWS update package to perform an update. This is useful for when you know you only need to update a single device and you already downloaded the windows update package. This video steps through how to do it (there is no sound). The update packae must be in the root of the USB key.

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In this video, it shows you how to use repository manager to create a usb key with drivers to use with USC. Its a little lengthy, but is good info: en.community.dell.com/.../updates-using-usb-with-lifecycle-controller.aspx

PowerEdge Hardware General

How to update firmware on H700 without OS?

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