Introduction
------------
This zip kit contains new firmware and installation instructions
for Digital AlphaServer 300.

The firmware included in this kit is version 4.59. It is the
recommended firmware version for use with Microsoft Windows NT
Workstation and Server 3.5 or later.  Firmware version 4.59
contains support for multiple languages, and incorporates the
latest hardware support and bug fixes.

Please note that version 3.5-13 of the firmware is the minimum
requirement for running Windows NT 3.5 or later on the systems
listed above. If you do not have firmware version 3.5-13
before installing Windows NT, then the software will not function 
correctly.


Update Instructions
-------------------
1.  The first thing you need to do is to divide the kit's contents
    onto two floppies.  To do this, follow these steps:

        a) UnZIP this kit into a directory on your hard disk.

        b) Insert a blank floppy into your floppy drive, and copy
           these files onto it:

               copy *.exe a:\

           Label this floppy, "V4.59 AlphaServer 300 firmware."

        c) Insert a new blank floppy into your floppy drive, and
           copy these files onto it:

               copy langall.msg a:\
               copy langver.txt a:\
               copy unicode.fnt a:\

           Label this floppy, "V4.59 AlphaServer 300 Language Support."
           You will use it if you wish to choose a language other 
           than U.S. English in the NT ARC firmware.

2.  Shut down your AlphaServer 300 and reboot it.  
    This may be done by selecting the "Shutdown and Restart" option 
    in the "Shutdown Computer" logoff popup window.  Proceed onto the 
    next step when you are at the ARC Boot Menu.

3.  When the ARC Boot Menu appears, note the version at the top of 
    the screen.

    If it is 4.59, then Congratulations!  You already have this
    firmware installed and you do not need to update your firmware.
    To install Windows NT 3.51 or later, read the Release Notes that 
    came with your Windows NT distribution kit.

4.  Insert the "V4.59 AlphaServer 300 firmware" floppy into your
    floppy drive.

5.  Select "Supplementary menu..." and press Enter.

6.  Select "Install new firmware" and press Enter.

7.  The upgrade utility (Apu) and firmware images will be loaded from floppy. 

8.  The machine will go through a restart and initialize components neccessary
    to perform the upgrade process. When initialization completes you should 
    be presented with a menu of options. 

9.  The first option should read 
	Update		Update the Rom(s)
    press Enter

10. The machine should present you with a second list of options. The first option
    in this list should read
	update full rom
    press Enter.

11. The machine then should present the following message
	APU-I are you ready to program (SRM ) rom device? (Y/N)
    type Y and press Enter.

12. The following should now occur automatically:
	APU-I Precharging (SRM ) Rom device.  
	APU-I Erasing (SRM ) Rom device.  
	APU-I Programming (SRM ) Rom device.  
	APU-I Verify loaded (SRM ) Rom image.  
	APU-I Verify loaded (SRM ) Rom image done.  
	APU-I Programming (SRM ) Rom complete.  
	APU-I Precharging (ARC /AlphaBIOS) Rom device.  
	APU-I Erasing (ARC /AlphaBIOS) Rom device.  
	APU-I Programming (ARC /AlphaBIOS) Rom device.  
	APU-I Verify loaded (ARC /AlphaBIOS) Rom image.  
	APU-I Verify loaded (ARC /AlphaBIOS) Rom image done.  
	APU-I Programming (ARC /AlphaBIOS) Rom complete.  

	Press return to continue

    If the update is successful, you see the above sequence of events
    If you fail to see these messages, call the Compaq technical support 
    line at 1-800-354-9000 for further assistance.

    Otherwise
	press return.

13. A menu list should be presented
	Select Main Menu

14. Another Menu list should be presented
	Select Exit

15. A message should appear at the bottom of your screen
	Please Cycle system power


16. Turn off the power to your computer. Wait at least 10 seconds, 
    then turn the power back on.

    Your firmware update is complete.

CHOOSE THE FIRMWARE LANGUAGE

If you have not previously had firmware with language support,
a language selection screen will appear. Please follow the
instructions below.

1)  Insert the floppy labeled AlphaServer 300 langauge support into 
    your floppy drive.

2)  At the language selection screen, you will be given two
    choices:  "English (US)" or "Other Language." The messages
    will be displayed in all of the languages currently
    available.

    English will be selected. If you wish to choose English,
    press Enter. The ARC Boot menu appears. Skip ahead
    to Step 2.

    Otherwise, use the arrow keys to select "Other Language."
    Press Enter.

3)  A menu will appear asking you where the message and font
    files are located. Use the arrow keys to select "Floppy
    Disk" and press Enter.

4)  After the firmware loads the message and font files, the
    "Language menu" appears. This menu lists the different
    languages available. Use the arrow keys to select the
    language you want, and press Enter.

5)  The screen clears and you are asked if you would like
    to save the language files to hard disk. "Yes" will be
    selected. Press Enter.

6)  You are asked to choose a hard disk location for the
    language files. A default location will be selected. If
    you wish to use this location, press Enter.

    Otherwise, select "Alternate Hard Disk location" and
    press Enter.  You are then asked to edit the partition 
    and the directory location of the language files.

    The language files are copied onto your hard disk, and
    the ARC Boot menu appears.  You are now ready to boot
    Windows NT.


Thank you for your support for Windows NT and Alpha

        Windows NT Program Office
