DeskFlash

Operating Manual

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Published by Fujitsu Technology Solutions GmbH Edition 1 2009/05 Produced by XEROX Global Services

Notational conventions

DeskFlash

DeskFlash

Edition Mai 2009

Windows XP and Windows Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks referenced are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners, whose protected rights are acknowledged. Copyright Fujitsu Technology Solutions GmbH 2009 All rights, including rights of translation, reproduction by printing, copying or similar methods, even of parts are reserved. Offenders will be liable for damages. All rights, including rights created by patent grant or registration of a utility model or design, are reserved. Delivery subject to availability. Right of technical modification reserved.

Content
Notational conventions ...................................................................................................................... 1 DeskFlash............................................................................................................................................ 2 Command-line .............................................................................................................................. 3 Example - Synchronising BIOS settings across a network .......................................................... 9 Create and distribute a master BIOS file using DeskFlash .......................................................... 9

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Notational conventions

Notational conventions
The notational conventions used in this manual are as follows: Information Important information

i
Instructions

Denotes a step performed as part of an instruction.

Typeface and formatting Bold text Denotes terms that are parts of an user interface, such as menus or options. Courier typeface Denotes commands, parameters, variables, user inputs, file names, and path names. Italic text Denotes product names, Internet addresses, and names of DeskFlash components. Symbols and style used on the command-line The following symbols are used in command-lines: [] <> {} | Optional parameter Variables Optional variables Alternative parameters

Parameters and variables can appear in uppercase, lowercase, or a combination of both. The values of variables can be entered with or without quotation marks.

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DeskFlash
DeskFlash can be used to perform the following tasks: Update the BIOS Update BIOS settings Archive the BIOS and BIOS settings Update installed processor microcode patches

DeskFlash can be used to update and archive the BIOS directly from Windows. DeskFlash supports the BUP, OCF and OMF file formats for BIOS files. This feature can be used, for example, to configure uniform BIOS settings across all systems on a network by archiving one BIOS together with all BIOS Setup settings and then distributing this across all systems on the network.

Hibernation or standby of the computer during and after flashing Under Windows XP, DeskFlash prevents the system from entering standby or hibernation after the flashing process. Under Windows Vista, the user is responsible for ensuring that the system does not enter standby or hibernation during and after flashing (e. g. triggered via the start menu or by a programmable enable/disable switch on the computer). If a standby or hibernate mode is triggered under Windows Vista following the update process this may lead to problems with waking up. The system must then be rebooted by pressing and holding the on and off switch (for approximately 5 sec.). Any data that was not saved before the standby/hibernate will be lost.

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Command-line
Display help DSKFLASH /? Display Help information relating to the parameters. Update the BIOS DSKFLASH /UPD [/WD=<dir>] [/O=<dospat>|/O=<file>] [/S] [/W] [/LF[=<log>]] [/OV] [/NRB|/ARB|/FRB] [/IAC] [/BPC=<batt>] The changes to the BIOS will be applied the next time the system is booted. Update the BIOS, together with the BIOS Setup settings and processor microcode patches.

Updating the BIOS of mobile devices If the operating voltage of the system is interrupted while the BIOS is being updated, then it is possible that the system may no longer start. Therefore, before starting the update process you should make sure that the mobile system is connected to the mains supply or that the notebook battery is fully charged.

Update BIOS settings DSKFLASH /NVU [/WD=<dir>] [/O=<dospat>|/O=<file>] [/S] [/W] [/LF [=<logfile>]] [/NRB|/ARB|/FRB] [/AFU] [/IAC] [/BPC=<batt>] The changes to the BIOS will be applied the next time the system is booted. Only BIOS settings will be updated. The BIOS versions used by the target systems and the update file(s) must be the same. Archive the BIOS and BIOS settings DSKFLASH /AR [/WD=<dir>] [/O=<pattern>|/O=<file>] [/S] [/W] [/LF[=<logfile>]] [/OV] [/IAC] [/BPC=<batt>] Update installed processor microcode patches DSKFLASH /MCU [/S] [/W] [/WD=<dir>] [/LF[=<logfile>]] [/NRB|/ARB|/FRB] [/IAC] [/BPC=<batt>] The changes to the BIOS will be applied the next time the system is booted. The processor microcode used by the systems will be updated with the corresponding file in the specified folder.

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Parameters

Switch /NRB When using the /NRB switch under Windows Vista it is possible that the computer will enter a standby or hibernation mode. When using the restart parameters /NRB, /ARB and /FRB, a message is displayed for all users who are logged on to warn them about the risks (this does not apply to currently inactive users when the "Fast User Switching" function is used in an operating system which permits several users to access the same PC). This gives the users the opportunity to e.g. save any unsaved data and to close open applications. DeskFlash will only start the update when all logged on users have confirmed this dialogue box. The message can be suppressed by entering the switch.

/? /AFU /ALLOWFULLUPDATE /AR /ARCHIVE /ARB /ALLOWREBOOT

Display help for the command-line parameters Run a full BIOS update if the BIOS versions for the target system and the update file(s) are not the same. Archive the BIOS and BIOS settings Perform necessary reboots automatically (under XP, the switch /ARB is set implicitly if /FRB or /NRB is not specified). Any open application will be closed without saving after a short period of time.

/BPC= /BATTPERCENT

Set the minimum state of charge from 33% to 100% for the selected action. (Default setting is 33%) (version 6.23 and above)

/E /FRB /FORCEREBOOT

Display return values and their corresponding description (version 6.01 and above). Reboot the system when the operation is completed. Any open application will be closed without saving after a short period of time. Disable the check of the external power supply. The action can then also be performed without a connection to the mains supply. This is not possible on all notebooks (e.g. ESPRIMO Mobile) (version 6.23 and above)

/IAC /IGNOREAC

/LF[=] /LOGFILE[=] /MCU /MICROCODEUPDATE

Create a log file in the working directory with optional entry of the file name. Update processor microcode patches.

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/NRB

Do not allow automatic reboots after the update. (New with DeskFlash 6.10 and later) PLEASE READ the notes at the beginning of this section regarding this switch.

/NVU /NVRAMUPDATE

Update BIOS settings The BIOS versions used by the target systems and the update file(s) must be the same. File name of the archive Allow the BIOS to be overwritten even if a later version is not available, or allow any existing archive file to be overwritten. DeskFlash does not generate any outputs and does not need any user input. Update the BIOS, BIOS settings, and processor microcode patches. Disable warning dialogues Specify the working directory If no working directory is specified, the current working directory will be used.

/O= /OV /OVERWRITE /S /SILENT /UPD /UPDATE /W /WARNINGOFF /WD= /WORKINGDIRECTORY

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Variables
<batt> <dir> Minimum state of charge of battery in percent notation, e.g. "50%" Specify directory in DOS notation (e.g. C:\BIOS) or UNC notation (e.g. \\SERVER\BIOS) Note: When you specify the root directory, you must not use any inverted commas ("C:\"). The character combination \" will be interpreted as control characters by Windows and can lead to problems. <file> Specify name of file for archiving or updating

<logfile>

Specify a template for the name under which the log file is stored. The following variables can be used here: #domain# = Domain of system #name# = Computer name #model# = Model name (from version 6.24) #baseboard# = Name of base board (from version 6.24) #biosversion# = BIOS version as in SMBIOS type 0 (from version 6.24) #date# = Date #time# = current time in format hhmmss #no# = automatically generated, consecutive number

<pattern>

Specify a template for the name under which the archive files are stored. The following variables can be used here: #domain# = system domain #name# = computer name #system# = mainboard #date# = date #time# = current time in format hhmmss #no# = automatically generated consecutive serial number Fixed name components and variables may be combined, for example, MYARCH_#system#_#date#.BUP

<dospat>

Specify a file name with placeholder (for example, D1332*.BUP)

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Examples
Update the BIOS DSKFLASH /UPD /WD=C:\UPDATE /O=BIOS.BUP /ARB A suitable BIOS file for the update is located in the local directory C:\UPDATE. The system may initiate a reboot if required. Update the BIOS automatically DSKFLASH /UPD /WD=\\SERVER\SHARE /ARB DeskFlash will search for a suitable update file in a folder on the shared network drive \\Server\Share. Update systems using a specified BIOS file DSKFLASH /UPD /WD=\\SERVER\SHARE /O=BIOS.BUP /S /W /FRB The process will run without any notifications. Warning messages are also disabled. A reboot will be always be initiated following the update. Archive the BIOS and BIOS settings DSKFLASH /AR /WD=\\SERVER\SHARE /O=ARCHIV_#name#_#system#.BUP The archive file is located on the shared network drive \\Server\Share. The computer name and the mainboard will be used automatically in the file names. Distribute a BIOS with BIOS settings DSKFLASH /UPD /WD=\\SERVER\SHARE /O=ARCHIV.BUP /OV /ARB Archive the BIOS as previously described and make the archive file available to the target system. Use the above command-line to update the BIOS and the BIOS settings using the archive file. It is important that identical BIOS versions are used for the update in order to ensure that any changes to the BIOS modules are also distributed. Distribute BIOS settings that are saved in a file DSKFLASH /NVU /WD=\\SERVER\SHARE /O=ARCHIV.BUP /AFU /ARB Full distribution of the BIOS is permitted, even if the current BIOS version is different to that used by the archive file.

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Return values
DeskFlash returns a value that shows whether the program ran without errors or whether an error occurred. The value indicates the type of notification. The following table gives an overFlash of all possible return values. 0 1 2 4 8 16 22 32 64 301 307 1024 1025 1026 1027 1028 1029 1030 1031 1032 1033 DeskFlash ran without error. The action has been completed, but the log file contains warnings. General error. Syntax error in the command-line (incorrect parameter or invalid parameter combinations) No valid file is available for BIOS update. Insufficient disk space. DeskFlash must be started under Windows Vista with elevated administrative rights. Required settings are not specified (e.g. allow reboot). User has insufficient privileges to run DeskFlash. The computer must be rebooted before DeskFlash can be started. The execution of DeskFlash was interrupted without performing any changes in the system. It is not possible to start any update processes, as "BitLocker Drive Encryption" is active in the system. The remaining charge in the battery is too low. Charge the battery or activate the user warning (remove the /w switch). The state of charge of the battery could not be determined. Activate the user warning (remove the /w switch). There is no notebook battery inserted. Insert a battery into the device. The remaining charge in the battery is too low. Charge the battery. The state of charge of the battery could not be determined. Contact Helpdesk support. There is no notebook battery inserted. Insert a battery into the device. There is no mains adapter connected to the device. Connect the device to the mains using the mains adapter. The status of the mains adapter could not be determined. Contact Helpdesk support. The state of charge of the battery could not be determined. Connect the device to the mains using the mains adapter.

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1034 1035 1036 1037

The /IGNOREAC parameter is not supported on this system. Connect the device to the mains using the mains adapter. A downgrade to this BIOS version is not permitted. An update of the current BIOS with the BIOS in the BIOS file is not possible lacking compatibility. BIOS access denied.

Example - Synchronising BIOS settings across a network

Networks change constantly; over time, new PCs and notebooks will be installed, while others will be removed from the network. The result is that different machines end up with different computerspecific settings in the central computer management component, the BIOS (Basic Input Output System), which makes access and system management more difficult. These problems can only be avoided by using a centralised system to periodically synchronise the BIOS settings.

Create and distribute a master BIOS file using DeskFlash

The DeskFlash component provides support for the synchronisation of BIOS settings. The BIOS ARCHIVE function can be used to create a master BIOS file, which can in turn be distributed across the network to all computers that share the same type of hardware. First, this file is created by configuring and storing the desired settings locally in the BIOS on one computer of the appropriate type. Then, the DeskFlash ARCHIVE function is used to create a copy of the BIOS and distribute this across the network to all computers with the same type of hardware using DeskFlash. How to create a BIOS archive Configure the BIOS locally on a computer of the appropriate type. Save these settings. Start Windows.

Enter the following command on the command-line: DSKFLASH /AR /WD=\\SERVER\SHARE /O=ARCHIV_#name#_#system#.BUP The archive file will be saved on the specified network drive \\Server\Share</cf></csf> with the prefix ARCHIV. The name of the computer and the mainboard are automatically appended to the file name (via the variables #name#, #system#). Distributing the BIOS settings Enter the following command on the command-line: DSKFLASH /UPD /WD=\\SERVER\SHARE /O=ARCHIV.BUP /OV This command will cause the BIOS and BIOS settings for corresponding computer types on the the network to be updated using the archive file Archiv, stored on the network at \\Server\Share. The parameter OV allows the BIOS to be overwritten.

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