SOLVED - (Help Stuck) - LSI 9300 16i (SAS3008) Cleared board, unable to flash

[teknomedic]

I obtained the files need from this link:
LSI9300-8i-8e-16i-16e Full IT Firmware Flashing Set 16.00.12.00.zip

....which was in this thread I'm following...

https://forums.servethehome.com/index.php?threads/original-lsi-sas-9300-16i-problem-flashing-please-help.36618/#post-356881

I ran the list commands and obtained the sas0 and sas1 addresses which I have saved.... I then continued on and entered these commands

"sas3flash.efi -c 0 -o -e 7"
and
"sas3flash.efi -c 1 -o -e 7"

After this I tried "sas3flash.efi -c 0 -o -f SAS9300-16i_IT.bin"

but I get "ERROR: Could not open file"

Also, when I use the list command now I get "Controller is no operational. A firmware download is required. Enter firmware file name or quit to exit:"

I've run though all the commands I can locate, but I'm always met with "could not open file: SAS9300-16i_IT.bin"

I'm basically stuck with my machine running and the card cleared of firmware....and could really use some insight into why sas3flash can't open the file.

For good measure I tried the SAS9300-8i_IT.bin file and get the same error.

EDIT if it helps... I'm running UEFI shell from a USB bootable thumb drive made with Rufus. All Bins and Roms are on the root of the USB.

Thank you in advance.

 

[teknomedic]

SOLVED IT!!

I wasn't in the correct directory... no one ever mentioned that I should select a volume.

So after booting my USB and loading in UEFI shell... all the commands up to clearing the 9300 chips worked without problems. As soon as I tried to make sas3flash open files I got the "can't open file". After posting my request for help I had this random thought of trying to list the files on the drive, but then I got the error that I didn't have a volume selected.... hmmmmmm... so then I ran command "map -r" which listed my available volumes... I then entered command "FS0" to select my root and the "ls" to list files and how about that... I can see files.

I then tried the flashing commands again and... it opened the files and flashed!! What a mess.... hopefully this helps someone in the future. Just keep in mind that I put copies of ALL my files sas3flash, the Bins and Roms in the root before booting the USB just as a precaution.

 

[teknomedic]

I'm posting this quick little guide for anyone in the future that may need some extra help and wants to do this outside of any OS or running server...

Make your bootable USB....
Using Rufus make a FreeDOS bootable image
Then in root make a folder called "EFI", under EFI make a folder called "Boot"
Ensure you've got UEFI Shell copied into "boot" and renamed to "bootx64.efi"
Copy your files to root (SAS3Flash.efi, SAS9300-16i_IT.bin, mpt3x64.rom, mptsas3.rom)

Install your bootable USB and boot into UFEI shell....

Ensure you have selected the directory with your files
Command = map -r
Result - refreshes and lists available systems
Command = FS0:
Result - Should place you into root
Command = ls
Result - Should list all your files and directories, if not... try selecting a different system from the "map -r" command

Ensure you can view controllers
Command = sas3flash.efi -listall
Result = listed the 2 SAS3008 controllers as 0 & 1

Obtain SAS Addresses...
Command = sas3flash.efi -c 0 -list
Result = Copy down "SAS Address" for 0

Command = sas3flash.efi -c 1 -list
Result = Copy down SAS Address for 1

Do NOT reboot or turn off your PC during the next steps...
Erase the controllers - Do NOT reboot or turn off your computer during the next steps
Command = sas3flash.efi -c 0 -o -e 7
Command = sas3flash.efi -c 1 -o -e 7
Result = Controllers have no firmware, DO NOT REBOOT

Flash the firmware and BIOS files
Command = sas3flash.efi -c 0 -o -f SAS9300-16i_IT.bin
Command = sas3flash.efi -c 1 -o -f SAS9300-16i_IT.bin
Alternative command (should be same as above) = sas3flash.efi -o -fwall SAS9300-16i_IT.bin
Command = sas3flash.efi -o -biosall mpt3x64.rom
Command = sas3flash.efi -o -biosall mptsas3.rom

Program the SAS Addresses that you copied ealier...
Command = sas3flash.efi -c 0 -o -sasadd (enter copied address without dashes)
Command = sas3flash.efi -c 1 -o -sasadd (enter copied address without dashes)

Verify your hardwork and ensure firmware, BIOS and address are populated correctly...
Command = sas3flash.efi -c 0 -list
Command = sas3flash.efi -c 1 -list

If all went well... you can finally reboot.