Critical BIOS update is available

[This topic is intended to address a specific issue called out by the Exchange Server Analyzer Tool. You should apply it only to systems that have had the Exchange Server Analyzer Tool run against them and are experiencing that specific issue. The Exchange Server Analyzer Tool, available as a free download, remotely collects configuration data from each server in the topology and automatically analyzes the data. The resulting report details important configuration issues, potential problems, and nondefault product settings. By following these recommendations, you can achieve better performance, scalability, reliability, and uptime. For more information about the tool or to download the latest versions, see "Microsoft Exchange Analyzers" at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=34707.]  

Topic Last Modified: 2009-09-24

The Microsoft® Exchange Server Analyzer Tool queries the Win32_BIOS Microsoft Windows® Management Instrumentation (WMI) class to determine the value for the SMBIOSBIOSVersion key. The SMBIOSBIOSVersion key value represents the version of the BIOS installed on the server. The Exchange Server Analyzer also queries the Win32_ComputerSystem WMI class to determine the value for the Model key. The Model key value represents the hardware model information as provided by the hardware manufacturer.

If the Exchange Server Analyzer finds that value for the Version key is 42B on a server whose Model key begins with eserver xSeries 445, an error is displayed. This error indicates that this IBM xSeries 445 server's BIOS has to be updated.

There is a known issue with the 42B version of the BIOS firmware that may cause data corruption. The problem is limited to X445 systems that have BIOS 42B (version 1.15) installed. The problem is corrected with BIOS 45A. You should update the BIOS on this server to 45A or later as soon as possible.

For more information about how to correct this issue, contact IBM (http://www.ibm.com/us/en/).