DIGITAL AlphaXL Firmware Update Procedures

For Alpha computers using AlphaBIOS for firmware, upgrading the BIOS is a fairly simple process. This process goes as follows:
(NOTE: The method outlined here assumes upgrade via floppy disk.)

Format a floppy disk with DOS FAT. (This can be done on any machine running WIN95, WIN NT, or any other OS capable of FAT formatting.)
Download the latest AlphaBIOS image from ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/Alpha/firmware/readmes/alphaxl.html (The latest version will be the only one available from this particular directory. Older versions will require a little bit of digging in the ftp directories.) NOTE: Our systems have the Model 5 motherboard, so the BIOS update should have the name xltab.rom. Model 4 upgrades are available at the same site.
Save xltab.rom to the DOS-formatted floppy disk.
Put the disk in the machined to be upgraded.
Boot, or reboot, the machine, pressing <F2> to enter the AlphaBIOS setup menu after the initial hardware check.

Select 'Upgrade AlphaBIOS' and press <Enter>.

Press <F10> to continue with the upgrade, or <Esc> to cancel.
After the upgrade is complete, press <Enter> to use the upgraded firmware or <Esc> to discard the changes.

Reboot the machine for the changes to take effect.