BIOS-42B Version 1.15 has a potential data issue - IBM eSeries xSeries 445

Resolving The Problem

Source
RETAIN tip: H182639
 
Symptom  
IBM very recently discovered a potential data issue on the IBM eServer xSeries 445 server (all models). The problem is limited to x445 systems that have BIOS 42B (version 1.15) installed. The problem is corrected with BIOS 45A (version 1.17). IBM is very strongly recommending that customers immediately flash to this level.
 
If this problem occurs, it can result in unpredictable OS or application behavior.
 
Affected configurations  
The system may be an IBM eServer xSeries 445, type 8870, any model.
 
The BIOS level affected is:

• 42B (version 1.15)

Solution  
This behavior has been corrected in the latest release of BIOS. The target date for the release is:  

• September 10, 2004

It is available from IBM's xSeries Support Web site, at the following URL:
 
http://www.ibm.com/systems/support
 
Highly recommend update to BIOS 45A, version 1.17 available on the Web.

Note: Update Xpress version 3.05 contains BIOS-42B. All x445 customers should use Udate Xpress Live to obtain the latest update. The Update Xpress version 3.05a CD will contain BIOS-45A, and will be available on September 25, 2004.
 
Additional information
When an SMI is issued, data is written to a specific memory location. If this storage location is being used by the OS or application, some unpredictable behavior occurs, such as: system hang, blue screen in Windows, or kernel panic in Linux or applications errors.