It is always recommended that you make a complete, verified backup of your system prior to upgrading.

Please read all relevant release notes to learn about new features and fixes included in the IRIX 6.2 release. See the CD-ROM liner notes for information on how to do this.

Install all related software that you were shipped since most options that were supported under IRIX 4.0.5 through IRIX 6.1 have been upgraded to an IRIX 6.2 compatible release. Confirm that you have received upgrades to all your options prior to beginning your installation.

Check with third party software vendors and verify that they support the current IRIX release. See the IRIX release notes section "1.3 Software_Compatibility" for details.

Disk space needs are platform dependent and will therefore vary. The default subsystems installed disk space usage will come to (not counting your existing local disk space usage) approximately 400 - 600 MB.

IRIX 6.2 is not supported on these platforms:

• R3000 processor
• Crimson GTX
  1. Ikon Board Support on Crimson
  2. XM 1/2 Inch Tape Support on Crimson
  3. IPI, SMD, and ESDI Disk Support

Installation: Note that IRIX 6.2 is now a 2 CD set. You will need to install IRIX 6.2 from miniroot. Please consult your Software Installation Guide or your Owners Guide for specific details on miniroot installation. The instructions for booting a miniroot found in the above guides still apply to IRIX 6.2. Once the miniroot is booted, the Inst tool will run. You can use the Inst on-line help which includes an overview of the Inst tool (inst has several changes and updates for IRIX 6.2). From the `Inst>' prompt, type `help overview' to see the overview text. See the EOE release notes (chapter 2) for additional information about Inst changes.

Remember to merge and update configuration files after installing IRIX 6.2. The command `versions changed' will list configuration files that require attention.

After installing software using inst (1M) or swmgr(1) the makewhatis (1M) command is automatically run the next time the system is rebooted. makewhatis(1M) may take 10 to 15 minutes to run.

IRIX 6.2 manuals: These can be viewed directly from the CD-ROM using the InSight viewer. To view the manuals, insert the IRIX 6.2 CD-ROM in the CD-ROM player, open a Unix shell and type: /usr/sbin/insight -l/CDROM/insight

(The above command assumes the CD-ROM drive is on the local system and is mounted to /CDROM).

XLV Disk Plexing Option: If you are updating to Irix 6.2 release of the Disk Plexing Option from an older release, you must install a new license BEFORE installing the new software. If the new license is not installed, your system may not properly restart after the installation.

xlv_assemble: The default behavior of the command xlv_assemble(1m) has changed from assembling all disks/volumes to assembling only local disks/volumes. A "local" disk has the name of local host in its XLV label located in the disk volume header. Use the -a option to assemble all volumes. Use the command change nodename in xlv_mgr(1m) to change the nodename associated with a XLV volume. For additional information, read the xlv_assemble and xlv_mgr man pages.

SupportFolio: Supportfolio is a new suite of information tools and electronic services that help you get answers about IRIX. With Supportfolio you can access support information directly from your desktop, connect to Silicon Graphics technical support center electronically, and download patches via the internet. The enclosed CD set is a valuable resource that can be used on both IRIX 5.3 and IRIX 6.2 systems. If you are using IRIX 5.3, use Supportfolio to obtain tips on performing operating system upgrades before you install IRIX 6.2. Simply follow the instructions in the Supportfolio - Information Resources booklet to get started.

Impressario: Impressario 1.2 binds with Adobe supplied libraries in COFF format.COFF binaries do not run on IRIX 6.2 and therefore the PostScript RIP portion of Impressario 1.2 will not work with IRIX 6.2. Impressario 2.0 is being released to correct this problem and will ship with the IRIX 6.2 applications CD.

Systems which are being used to run the Impressario Server should not be upgraded to IRIX 6.2 until Impressario 2.0 is available. If you choose to upgrade the system to IRIX 6.2, the upgrade process will display conflicts stating that you need to remove Impressario 1.2 images before you can install IRIX 6.2.

On the client side, the impact of non-support of COFF binaries can also be felt. If the client machine is running IRIX 6.2 and the driver for the printer of interest is in COFF format (old 3'rd party drivers), then the "Options" button on the "Printer Manager" window and the "More Options" button on the "Print Panel" may no longer work. The workaround for this problem is to wait until the Impressario server has been upgraded to Impressario 2.0 and then using the Printer Manager reinstall the printer on the server and the client.

When you have access to the Impressario 2.0 product, you should note that the PostScript RIP in Impressario 2.0 is a licensed product. Printing to most color printers, such as HP LaserJets, will not work without the licensed PostScript RIP. You should consider procuring a license for Impressario PostScript RIP before upgrading a print server to IRIX 6.2 and Impressario 2.0.

ILM (International Language Modules): At this time, there is limited support for languages other than English in IRIX 6.2. Support for languages other than English is expected to be available in a month or so.

Posix Threads: The Irix 6.2 release includes kernel support for Posix threads. However, the Posix threads library is not included in this distribution. It will be distributed in May 1996. If you are interested in receiving this Posix threads library please contact the local Silicon Graphics sales office.

License Passwords: Some of the products in your IRIX 6.2 update kit may require a license password, we have provided licenses for systems and products wherever possible. If you feel you are entitled to additional licenses, please contact your local support office by sending a blank email message to license@sgi.com, visiting our website http://www.sgi.com/Products/license.html, or calling your local support office.

SGI PN 007-4094-003