Release Notes for Phoenix UEFI/BIOS Firmware on EKF SC9-FESTIVAL
This file describes changes, extensions and bug fixes made in Phoenix BIOS for EKF SC9-TOCCATA. For any further questions contact EKF at:
Email : support[a t]ekf.de
Internet : www.ekf.com
2025-12-08: BIOS release, Build #090 production
- Integrated new CPU microcode version 86 (0x56)
- Added Setup node to control feature PCI Express Native
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> ACPI Configuration -> Native PCI Express Features
Available options: Disabled, Enabled (Default)
- Fixed a bug in Phoenix error manager (not all error messages were displayed)
- Extended support for EKF Z1010
- Added feature to reduce maximum speed of Intel SATA controller
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Intel SATA/RAID Configuration -> Select max. Speed
Available options: 1.5 Gb/s, 3.0 Gb/s, 6.0 Gb/s (Default)
- Updated EFI Shell tool ‘Ekfpci’ to V2.7
- Fixed image decoder (display of logos)
- Added customer-specific Setup Defaults
2025-10-13: BIOS release, Build #088 production
- Added support for PCIe controller which do not support PCIe Gen4 negotiation
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> PCI Configuration -> CPU/SA PCI Express Configuration -> CPU/SA PCI Express Root Port [1-3]
-> Support incompatible PCIe controller
Available options: Disabled, Enabled. Default value is PCIe Root Port dependent.
- Modified SMBIOS type 11 for customer specifc strings
- Issued a warning message if EKF Manufacturing Jumper is set at power-up or at restart of the system
- Fixed Network configuration defaults
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Network Configuration
- Added Setup node to lock BIOS firmware
Setup (F2): Advanced -> Miscellaneous Configuration -> BIOS Lock
- Show correct density of SPI Components in Platform Information Menu
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Platform Information Menu -> SPI Components
- Always delete CCU and/or Z1010 variables if I2C access on cPCI is disabled
- Added customer-specific Setup Defaults
2025-09-16: BIOS release, Build #086 production
- Integrated new microcode version 84 (54h) for EKF TGL Boards
- Added support for EKF Z1010
Configuration data (EEPROM) of Z1010 can be copied to SMBIOS type 3 and 11. This is controlled with a new Setup node.
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> CompactPCI Serial Configuration -> Z1010 Detection Mode for SMBIOS Type 3 and 11
Available options: Disabled, Auto (Default), ADR [0-7]
- Changed default of Setup node “Remove Windows Boot Manager” to disabled
- Fixed USB ACPI error messages
- Added Setup nodes to control support for IP versions
Setup (F2): Advanced -> Network Configuration -> IPv4
Available options: Disabled, Enabled (Default)
Setup (F2): Advanced -> Network Configuration -> IPv6
Available options: Disabled, Enabled (Default)
Setup (F2): Advanced -> Network Configuration -> UEFI Boot Priority
Available options: IPv6 first, IPv4 first (Default)
Network stack must be Enabled for these options.
- Removed unused Setup nodes
- Added customer-specific Setup Defaults
2025-09-04: BIOS release, Build #084 production
- Enabled support for Intel HD Audio
Added Setup node to control Intel HD Audio controller
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Audio Configuration -> Intel HD Audio Controller
Available options: Disabled, Enabled (Default)
- Added Setup node to remove “Windows Boot Manager”
Setup [F2]: Main -> Remove Windows Boot Manager
Available options: Disabled (Default), Enabled
If this option is set to Enabled the “Windows Boot Manager” boot option is always removed from Setup menu “Boot”.
- Added Setup option to control default boot list
Setup [F2]: Main -> Boot Features -> Always load default boot list
Available options: Disabled (Default), Enabled
- Replaced default logo with EKF logo
Logo is displayed during OS boot.
- Additionally skip CRC check in CCU Scheme Extension if Setup node
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> CompactPCI Serial Configuration -> Check for valid EEPROM data
is set to disabled.
- Added feature to perform a delay after reset
Setup (F2): Advanced -> Miscellaneous Configuration -> Delay after Reset
Available options are: Disabled (no delay), 100ms (Default), 250ms, 500ms, 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s and 5s
The delay is indicated by a red blinking LED GP in front panel.
- Added Setup node to control execution of a PCI Bus Reset
Setup (F2): Advanced -> Miscellaneous Configuration -> PCI Secondary Bus Reset
Available options: Disabled (Default), Enabled
- Added Setup option to perform a delay before MRC
Setup (F2): Advanced -> Miscellaneous Configuration -> Delay before MRC
Available options: Disabled (no delay), 100ms (Default), 250ms, 500ms, 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s and 5s
The delay is indicated by a constantly lit red LED GP in front panel.
- Added Setup node to allow control of Spread Spectrum for PCH PCIe PLL
Setup (F2): Advanced -> Miscellaneous Configuration -> Select PCH PCIe Reference Pll SSC
Available options: Auto (Default), 0.0 – 0.5%, Disabled
- Reduced POST time by a few seconds
- RGB LED GP in front panel shows different states during POST
- CPU exceptions are now shown as blink codes of red LED GP
- Red LED GP shows error blink code if an error occured in UEFI PEI phase
- Added and renewed Keys and Certificates for Secure Boot
Setup [F2]: Security -> Secure Boot Configuration
Setup nodes in Secure Boot Configuration menu allow complete control of Secure Boot keys and other features.
For more information read ‘Item Specific Help’.
- Added Setup menu to show current Secure Boot keys and signatures
Setup [F2]: Security -> Secure Boot Configuration -> Signatures Information
- Additionally show Secure Boot status at top of Security menu
Setup [F2]: Security -> UEFI Secure Boot Status -> (Enabled or Disabled)
- Fixed an issue with writable PCI vendor IDs
- Supported boot from SATA devices attached to Marvell SATA Controller 9170 (EKF S40, SCX, ECX)
Setup (F2): Advanced -> Miscellaneous Configuration -> Control IOMMU Pre-boot Behavior
Available options: Disabled (Default), Enabled
- Supported boot from SATA devices attached to Marvell SATA Controller 9230 (EKF SB1, SD3, SD4, SXS)
- Added SV3-EPIC and SN6-TREMOLO in list of EKF detectable boards
- Added support for TGL Host Bridge 0x9A06 (Celeron 6600HE)
- Added customer-specific Setup Defaults
2025-06-21: BIOS release, Build #082 production
- Fixed crash when too much NVMe devices were installed in the system
- Fixed display problems when too much NVMe devices are shown in Diagnostic Splash screen
- Fixed a BIOS crash sometimes occured when certain NVMe modules were installed in the system
- Added display of boot time (since last reset) in bottom left corner of Bootmenu screen
- Extended support for Custom sepcific settings
- Prepared support for Capsule Updates
- Added Setup item which controls the behaviour of POST if an error occured during POST
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Boot Configuration -> Select Mode on POST Error
Available options: Default, i.e. use error specific behaviour (Default),
Press Key to continue, 3s delay before continue, No Delay before continue
- Updated security keys
- Added SCY-BOOST in list of EKF detectable boards
- Additionally show EKF interface/device behind Intel P2P bridges in EFI Shell tool ‘ekfpci’
- Added customer-specific Setup Defaults
2025-04-10: BIOS release, Build #080 production
- Added support for Renesas USB controller UPD720201
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> USB Configuration -> Load Firmware for Renesas USB Controller
Available options: Disabled, Enabled (Default)
Renesas USB controller is used on e.g. EKF SPV-MYSTIC.
- Added feature to lock firmware of Renesas USB controller UPD720201 until next Reset
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> USB Configuration -> Firmware Lock for Renesas USB Controller
Available options: Disabled (Default), Enabled
- Increased scrolling speed in EFI Shell by a factor of 8
- Set PCI SS-DID for Intel IGD to 0x53C9 (EKF SC9 Subsystem DID)
- Adapted SMBIOS type 0, type 1, type 2, type 3 and type 17
- Fixed a BIOS crash which sometimes could be observed when certain NVMe M.2 modules are installed in the system
- Added feature to select function of red button in front panel ejector
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Board Configuration -> Function of front panel ejector
Available options: None, Power (Default), Reset
- Added Setup node to control cleanup of PLD Status Register 0
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Board Configuration -> Cleanup of PLD Status Register 0
Available options: Disabled, Enabled (Default)
More Info -> Help Screen
- Added Setup node to control cleanup of PLD Status Register 1
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Board Configuration -> Cleanup of PLD Status Register 1
Available options: Disabled, Enabled (Default)
More Info -> Help Screen
- Added feature to control signal PS_ON# on CompactPCI Serial bus
Setup (F2): Advanced -> Board Configuration -> Control cPCI Serial signal PS_ON#
Available options: OFF in S5 only (Default), OFF in S4 or S5, Always OFF, Always ON
- Added feature to control NV jumper GP3 and GP4
Setup (F2): Advanced -> Board Configuration -> Control Level of NV jumper GP3/GP4
Available options: Low (Default), High
- Show list of installed EKF peripheral boards in Diagnostic Splash screen
- Control I2C access of EKF peripheral boards
Setup (F2): Advanced -> CompactPCI Serial Configuration -> Control I2C access on CompactPCI Serial
Available options: Disabled, Enabled (Default)
- To show a correct list of EKF peripheral boards, the following Setup Options must be set appropriate to the system
Setup (F2): Advanced -> CompactPCI Serial Configuration -> Select System Slot Position
Available options: Left (Default), Right
Setup (F2): Advanced -> CompactPCI Serial Configuration -> Select number of Slots on Bus
Available options: 1-25 (Default: 9)
- Added check for valid EEPROM configuration data on all EKF CompactPCI peripheral boards
If unvalid configuration data is detected, an appropriate error message is shown.
The check can be controlled by the following Setup option:
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> CompactPCI Serial Configuration -> Check for valid EEPROM data
Available options: Disabled, Enabled (Default)
- Added support for EKF CCU
Configuration data (EEPROM) of CCU can be copied to SMBIOS type 3. This is controlled with a new Setup node.
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> CompactPCI Serial Configuration -> CCU Detection Mode for SMBIOS Type 3
Available options: Disabled, Auto (Default), ADR [0-7]
- Restructered CPU related Setup menus and nodes
- Added Setup menu for CPU TDP settings
Setup (F2): Advanced -> CPU Configuration -> CPU Configurable TDP Settings
- Added Setup menu for CPU C-States settings
Setup (F2): Advanced -> CPU Configuration -> CPU C-States Configuration
- Added Setup menu for CPU miscellaneous settings
Setup (F2): Advanced -> CPU Configuration -> CPU Miscellaneous Configuration
- Added Setup menu for CPU Power Management settings
Setup (F2): Advanced -> CPU Configuration -> CPU Power Management Control
- Added Setup menu for CPU thermal settings
Setup (F2): Advanced -> CPU Configuration -> CPU Thermal Configuration
- Added Setup nodes to control CPU TCC (Thermal Control Circuit)
Setup (F2): Advanced -> CPU Configuration -> CPU Thermal Configuration -> TCC Activation Offset
Available options: [0-63], Default 0
Setup (F2): Advanced -> CPU Configuration -> CPU Thermal Configuration -> TCC Offset Time Window
Available options: Disabled (Default), 5 ms – 448 s
Setup (F2): Advanced -> CPU Configuration -> CPU Thermal Configuration -> TCC Offset Clamp Enable
Available options: Disabled (Default), Enabled
Setup (F2): Advanced -> CPU Configuration -> CPU Thermal Configuration -> TCC Offset Lock Enable
Available options: Disabled, Enabled (Default)
- Added Setup nodes to control Processor Throttle on VR Regulator Hot
Setup (F2): Advanced -> CPU Configuration -> CPU Thermal Configuration -> Processor Throttle on VR Regulator Hot
Available options: Disabled, Enabled (Default)
- Added Setup nodes to control front panel LED HT (High Temperature)
Setup (F2): Advanced -> CPU Configuration -> CPU Thermal Configuration -> LED HT on Processor Hot
Available options: Disabled, Enabled (Default)
- Added Setup nodes to control Disable VR Thermal Alert
Setup (F2): Advanced -> CPU Configuration -> CPU Thermal Configuration -> Disable VR Thermal Alert
Available options: Disabled (Default), Enabled
- Added Setup nodes to control Lock Processor Hot control bits
Setup (F2): Advanced -> CPU Configuration -> CPU Thermal Configuration -> Lock Processor Hot control bits
Available options: Disabled, Enabled (Default)
- Added Setup menu for CPU Turbo Mode settings
Setup (F2): Advanced -> CPU Configuration -> CPU Turbo Mode Configuration
- Show installed EKF Expansion Board in Diagnostic Splash screen
- Control I2C access of EKF Expansion Boards
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Expansion Board Configuration -> Control I2C access on Expansion Boards
Available options: Disabled, Enabled (Default)
- Validate EEPROM of EKF Expansion Boards. This check can be disabled with Setup node
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Expansion Board Configuration -> Check for valid EEPROM data on EKF Expansion Board
Available options: Disabled, Enabled (Default)
- Added check for valid Configuration data in CPU on-board Configuration EEPROM
If unvalid configuration data is detected, an appropriate error message is shown.
- Added check for valid User/Custom data in CPU on-board Configuration EEPROM
If unvalid user/custom data is detected, an appropriate error message is shown.
- Show additional information in Setup Main
Setup [F2]: Main -> System Information
Show Board Manufacturer, Board Type, BIOS Version, PLD Revision, Power Status, Custom ID and SMBIOS version
- Added feature to skip display of footer string at bottom of diagnostic screen
Setup [F2]: Main -> Boot Features -> Suppress Fx line in diagnostic screen
Available options: Disabled (Default), Enabled
- Added option to select type of SMBIOS UUID
Setup (F2): Advanced -> Miscellaneous Configuration -> Select Type of SMBIOS UUID
Available options: MAC (Default), SN
- Added feature to write a Custom ID into CPU Configuration EEPROM via BIOS Setup
Setup (F2): Advanced -> Miscellaneous Configuration -> Select Custom ID
A valid Custom ID will be provided by EKF.
- Restructered PCI Configuration Setup Menu
- Fixed USB XHCI segment number event
- Read and Blue LED GP now on during MRC.
Note: Blue LED GP only available on SC9 R2+.
- Added EFI Shell tool ‘ekfdmpstore’
- Removed Setup node “Wake System from S5 in RTC”
- Setup [F2]: Advanced -> ACPI Configuration -> Wake System from S5 in RTC
- Changed RTC default date to 2025-01-01 on RTC error
2024-09-30: BIOS release, Build #076 production
- Changed PCIe clock mode for all cPCI Serial slots from mode “free running” to mode “clock request”
- BIOS Setup Defaults are now loaded when jumper GP is detected as set during boot
- BIOS Setup Defaults are no longer loaded if a RTC Reset is performed
A RTC Reset now only resets register bits in the RTC well
- Fixed Ethernet Controller 2 (middle RJ45 in front panel) sometimes disappeared in OS
- Removed fourth SA PCIe Port configuration from BIOS Setup
- Show routing of SA PCI Express Ports 1-3 (Port 1 = HSE1, Port 2 = FP1, Port 3 = FP2)
- Added support for boards with missing, empty or weak battery
Appropriate RTC and CMOS error messages can be suppressed by this Setup node
Setup (F2): Advanced -> Miscellaneous Configuration -> Ignore Battery Error
Available options: Disabled (Default), Enabled
- Changed RTC default date to 2024-01-01 on RTC error
- Automatically disable PCIe Root Ports for all cPCI Serial slots when CPU board is inserted in a cPCI peripheral slot
- Disabled USB Port 8 automatically if CPU board is inserted in a cPCI peripheral slot
- Removed unsupported D3 (cold) support from ACPI
- Disabled USB xDCI device (eXtensible Device Controller Interface)
- Updated EFI Shell tool ‘Ekfpci’ to V2.4
- Added support for further Host Bridge IDs for EKF EFI Shell tools
- Added Setup node to control PCI Express clock gating
Setup (F2): Advanced -> PCI Configuration -> SA PCI Express Configuration -> PCI Express Clock Gating
Available options: Enabled (Default), Disabled
- Added Setup node to control PCI Express power gating
Setup (F2): Advanced -> PCI Configuration -> SA PCI Express Configuration -> PCI Express Power Gating
Available options: Enabled (Default), Disabled
2024-08-09: BIOS release, Build #074 production
- Updated RST VMD driver to version 19.5.8.5786
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Volume Management Device Configuration -> Enable VMD Controller
Available options: Disabled (Default), Enabled
If VMD is Enabled and PCIe/SATA devices are mapped to VMD, then after next Restart new Setup menu
Setup [F2]: Misc -> Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology
allows to setup a RAID volume with PCIe or SATA devices.
- Added Setup support for SATA devices attached to Intel SATA controller
Setup (F2): Advanced -> SATA Configuration -> Intel SATA/RAID Configuration
- Disabled some devices which were shown in Windows Device Manager with a yellow exclamation mark
- Disabled PCH PCI Express function swap by default
- Updated EFI Shell tool ‘EkfReset’ to V1.3
- Added EFI Shell tool ‘EkfCmos’
- Extended GPIO initialization
- Restructured Setup menus
2024-04-25: BIOS release, Build #072 production
- Fixed a bug when BIOS detects a P2P bridge with HotPlug capability
EKF boards SCX-PCIE (Secondary backplane controller) and SE4-TEMPO (Quad M.2 PCIe/NVMe)
are equipped with such PCI bridges, i.e. these boards are supported now.
- Added support to enable UEFI Network Stack
Setup (F2): Advanced -> Network Configuration -> UEFI Network Stack
Available options: Disabled (Default), Enabled
If set to Enabled, UEFI PXE boot over IPv4 or over IPv6 network is supported.
- Added support for PXE boot (booting an OS from network)
Setup [F2]: Advanced -> Network Configuration -> EFI Network Boot
Available options: Intel Ethernet, Disabled (Default)
Supported Ethernet controllers are of type Intel i225 and i226.
- Extended LED GP flashes for debug purposes
2023-10-30: First BIOS production release, Build #070