SOFTPAQ NUMBER:  SP10036
PART NUMBER:  N/A
FILE NAME:  N/A
TITLE:  Armada 6500 ROMPaq Update Diskette
VERSION:  System BIOS 1.54, Keyboard BIOS AA5535
LANGUAGE:  US English

CATEGORY:  ROMPaqs

DIVISIONS: Portables

PRODUCTS AFFECTED: Comapaq Armada 6500 Series

OPERATING SYSTEM:  Microsoft Windows NT
		   Microsoft Windows 95
                   Microsoft Windows 98

SYSTEM CONFIGURATION:  N/A

PREREQUISITES:  N/A

EFFECTIVE DATE:  April 21, 1999

ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION ALLOWED:  Yes

SOFTPAQ UTILITY VERSION:  3.1

SUPERSEDES:  SP8225

DESCRIPTION:  Unpacks a file that, when run from the hard drive,
creates a bootable diskette that can update the System ROM on 
Armada 6500 Series notebooks to version 1.54, also, if it is needed, 
the keyboard BIOS is updated to version AA5535. 

CAUTION:  This upgrade should be done by well experienced users only,
          or, preferrably, by the system administrator.

Enhancements/Fixes: 
 - Changes incorporated to improve hard drive operation during shutdown
   and suspend operations.
 - Improved suspend to disk to prevent data corruption.
 - Improved Windows NT shutdown.
 - Removed SMART hard disk monitor.

This version includes the following enhancements that were also
implemented in previous ROM versions 1.36, 1.45, and 1.50:
 - Updated Keyboard ROM to enable support for battery 
   swapping while in suspend mode.
 - Corrects an issue which prevented data from being properly written
   back to the hard drive media prior to shut down.
 - Updates the time of day after Password Quick Lock (pressing Fn-F6).
 - Eliminates system lockup or failure to boot when "Save to Disk" 
   suspend mode is enabled.
 - Resolves system lockups after initiating "Save to Disk" under DOS 
   Safe Mode.
 - Corrects system lockups when Fast Infrared Port is configured to 
   certain System Resources.
 - Addresses system lockups that could occur when hot swapping Multibay
   devices upon resume from standby under Microsoft Windows '98.
 - Addresses issue that prevented the system from entering Stanby 
   Timeout when docked with a DVD drive installed in the Mobile 
   Convenience Base. 
 - Corrects issues with proper memory size detection.


HOW TO USE:

1. Download the SoftPaq to a temporary directory on your 
   hard drive.  The file downloaded is a self-extracting executable 
   with a filename based on the SoftPaq Number above.

2. Execute the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions. 
   Enter "Y" to confirm the unpacking of files into the download directory.
   A file named 6500-19.exe will be unpacked from the softpaq. 

3. After the file has been unpacked, you may delete the softpaq file
   downloaded in step 1.

4. Notes: 1. It is required to use AC adapter while performing the update
             operation.  The utility updates the system BIOS and if the 
             operation fails, the machine will not work.
          
          2. This Update process may require 2 reboots.

          3. After running the BIOS update you may need to reload the system
             BIOS defaults.  If during the final reboot you are prompted to
             "press fn-f3 to enter setup" simultaneously press the fn key and
             the f3 key. When in the BIOS setup press the f9 key to reload
             BIOS default settings.  You will be prompted for confirmation,
             choose YES. Do not make any other changes unless instructed to do
             so by your network administrator.  Press the f10 key to exit the
             BIOS setup.  Inappropiate changes may prevent the system from
             working properly.

To update the system BIOS to version 1.54, and the keyboard BIOS to AA5535,
 do the following:
 
    a. Run the file, \bios_154\6500-19.exe, directly from your hard drive. 
       this file will create a bootable diskette for you.  
       (You will need a blank formatted diskette in drive a:)
 
    b. Boot up with the created diskette. Follow the on-screen instructions, 
       it will automatically run the update, the keyboard BIOS will be updated
       first, if your system needs it. After the keyboard update, the system
       will reboot.
       
    c. Boot up with the created diskette again. Follow on-screen instructions.
       The system BIOS update will proceed automatically.  After the system
       BIOS update, reboot the system, this time onto the hard drive.
       
5. After the utility has been executed, you may delete the file 
   from the download directory if you wish.

Copyright 1999, Compaq Computer Corporation.  All rights reserved.

Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.