Support Services - How to do a BIOS Recovery for 6 Beep Failure

Switchvox appliance is presenting a 6 beeps failure  (three beeps, pause <power off>, three beeps) indicating a motherboard failure. Usually this indicates a problem with the BIOS and it can be addresed by reinstalling it using the following steps 

Resolution Steps

Please note that the following steps only applies for appliances using X9SAE3 supermicro motherboard. If you are unsure about the motherboard model, please contact your IT Department.

These steps can be used to attempt recovery for a "6 beeps" (three beeps, pause <power off>, three beeps)

Prepare *DOS bootable USB:

1. Windows:

   1. Using Rufus (download):  How to Create a Bootable DOS USB Drive

2. Linux/Windows:

   1. http://www.freedos.org/wiki/index.php/USB

Add the BIOS Update to the USB:

1. Download the most recent BIOS update from SuperMicro, see "Update Your BIOS" in the right panel. The current drive is using version 710

2. Unzip the update and copy the entire folder to the USB drive.

3. Copy the BIOS update file to 'SUPER.ROM' (for version 710, the update file is called: X9SAE3.710)

4. Move 'SUPER.ROM' to the root of the USB drive.

Prepare the Motherboard:

1. Restore all Jumpers to their default settings. Note that only JPUSB1 and JPUSB2 should require changing. 

   • JPUSB1 & JPUSB2 - set jumper on pins 2-3

   • JPL1 & JPL2 - set jumper on pins 1-2

   • JPME1 & JPME2 - set jumper on pins 1-2

   • JPAC1 - set jumper on pins 1-2

   • JWD1 - set jumper on pins 1-2

   • I2C1 and I2C2 - ensure pins are open, and not jumpered.

2. Clear the CMOS

   1. Unplug all AC power to the unit

   2. Remove the CMOS battery

   3. Short or Bridge JBT1 to clear the CMOS

   4. Reinstall the CMOS battery

3. Disconnect all Hard drives, solid state drives, flash drives, PCI devices, and PCI-Express devices, etc. from the motherboard.

Perform BIOS Recovery:

1. Install the prepared USB drive into one of the rear USB ports

2. Ensure a Monitor and PS/2 Keyboard are connected to the motherboard

3. Reinstall the AC Power cord(s) to the unit's power supply

4. While holding down <Ctrl> + <Home> on the keyboard, press the power button to turn on the unit.

5. Continue holding <Ctrl> + <Home> until a count of five after hearing a two beep POST sound instead of the standard POST beeps.

6. Use the arrow keys to navigate down to "Proceed with Update" and allow it to complete without interruption

7. Press a key (such as <Space>) to reboot the unit when prompted

8. Allow the unit to reboot from the USB drive into the DOS environment

9. CD into the directory containing the unzipped BIOS update, and run 'ami.bat <update file>' to complete the BIOS update process. Allow this to run without interruption

10. When the update is completed, power down the system (hold the power button) and remove the AC power cord(s)

11. Perform the steps from 'Clear CMOS' in the 'Prepare the Motherboard' section above

12. Install the AC Power cord(s) back into the unit and repeatedly press <Delete> in order to enter the BIOS. It is expected that the unit will reboot several times before actually entering the BIOS, so keep pressing <Delete> without fail until you are met with success.

13. Press <F3> to load default settings, and confirm applying default settings

14. Press <F4> to save and exit the BIOS.