Hercules-EBX CPU User Manual V1.02
Page 47
7.2 BIOS Download / Crisis Recovery
Because the BIOS is stored in reprogrammable Flash memory, it is possible that the BIOS could
be accidentally erased when trying to write other files into the Flash. To recover from this situation
the CPU chip on Hercules-EBX contains a special failsafe section of ROM code that can be
activated on power-up. A Diamond Systems software utility is provided to enable system recovery
by downloading the BIOS to the flash memory through a USB floppy drive when the CPU is
booted up to the BUR.
Typically, this “Crisis Recovery” Process is initiated by shorting the “Crisis Recovery” pads on the
main board (located just under J18) while powering up the unit. If the board is mounted in such a
manner that these pins are not readily accessible, then Crisis Recovery should be initiated by
shorting RTS to RI on COM1.
The Sequence for Crisis Recovery is as follows:
1) Short “Crisis Recovery” pads or RTS – RI on COM1
2) Connect USB Floppy Drive with Crisis Recovery floppy disk inserted
3) Power-up / reset system
4) Floppy disk should be accessed (light on floppy drive starts up and floppy whirs for
several seconds); if you have a PC speaker attached to the utility header, after a few
seconds you should hear some beeps
5) Unshort the “Crisis Recovery pads or the RTS-RI connection after the Crisis Recovery
starts (i.e., after the floppy is first accessed or after the first system beep)
6) At the conclusion of the Crisis Recovery BIOS update, the system will beep and reset
7) Immediately go into the BIOS setup screen (F2 from initial BIOS POST screen) and
press F9 to load defaults.
8) While in the BIOS setup menus, re-set any non-default settings that you require
9) Exit the BIOS menus and save the settings
PC Serial Port Crisis
Recovery (DE-9)
7 (RTS)
9 (RI)
Table 30: Crisis Recovery Loopback
Contact Diamond Systems technical support for further assistance.
7.3 BIOS COM Port Settings
The BIOS allows for configuration of the four COM PORTs. Note that the COM PORT
configuration is handled slightly differently for COM PORTs 1 & 2 versus COM PORTs 3 & 4.
COM PORTs 1&2 are both located inside the core chipset used for the Hercules-EBX. As such,
the configuration procedures for these two COM PORTs are more limited, but are fully-
configurable in software (via BIOS Set-up Screens).
