Re: [Thinkpad] T41p: Problem updating BIOS

From: Andrew Webber <awebber_at_wwwebbers.com>
Date: Fri Jul 06 2007 - 23:39:39 EDT

Thanks Bruce,

Okay so it should go into the DOS utility even if I'm using (or it
thinks I'm using) the wrong version of the BIOS updater?

I don't think there's anything weird about my partitioning, I upgraded
to a 100GB HD and I don't recall if I used the Recovery Disks or
installed a normal version of XP (I know I should know, and I must
have notes about it somewhere, but not here). Could that be the
problem?

-- 
 Andrew                            mailto:awebber@wwwebbers.com
Friday, July 6, 2007, 11:31:15 PM, you wrote:
> No, the BIOS utility will only read what is in the BIOS. But even if it
> refuses to update, it does that in the DOS utility, not in XP. I wonder if
> you have some issue with your drive partitioning that is preventing it from
> booting into the utility.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Andrew Webber" <awebber@wwwebbers.com>
> To: <thinkpad@stderr.org>
> Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 11:10 PM
> Subject: Re: [Thinkpad] T41p: Problem updating BIOS
>> The next lower version is 3.21 which is my current.  I ran it anyway
>> and the same thing happened (no DOS level utility).
>>
>> Nothing in the drive, nothing in the USB ports.
>>
>> I actually feel slightly better because it's not like the utility is
>> failing to change the BIOS, it's not trying.  Still a problem though.
>>
>> You said if it's the wrong version (it's not), it wouldn't install.
>> Could this be related to the problem with System Update, where it's
>> telling me the type is TP-1R___?  I don't know what that should say,
>> but whatever it should be (unless it's right) maybe the BIOS utility
>> is expecting that too?  And failing to be told whatever the value is
>> supposed to be for a T41p, abandoning the update?
>>
>> If so, I'm back to figuring out what that TP-1R___ is. :(
>>
>> -- 
>>  Andrew                            mailto:awebber@wwwebbers.com
>>
>> Friday, July 6, 2007, 10:55:59 PM, you wrote:
>>
>> > YES, there is a DOS level utility that opens. Something is not right.
> Try
>> > the next lower version, it is on the same page. Possibly the loader
> program
>> > is not working.
>>
>> > And do make sure you don't have a CD in the drive, it could be trying to
>> > boot from something else.
>>
>> > ----- Original Message ----- 
>> > From: "Andrew Webber" <awebber@wwwebbers.com>
>> > To: <thinkpad@stderr.org>
>> > Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 10:49 PM
>> > Subject: Re: [Thinkpad] T41p: Problem updating BIOS
>>
>>
>> >> IBM BIOS Setup Utility?
>> >>
>> >> It says 3.21 :(
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Maybe it's just not running at all.  (There shouldn't be any difference
>> >> between double-clicking on the .exe in Windows Explorer and using RUN
>> >> with path the .exe right?  I've done both but just checking.)
>> >>
>> >> I double-click on 1ruj37us.exe and a window opens, ThinkPad BIOS
>> >> Update Utility version 3.23 (1RETDRWW) by Lenovo Group Limited.  I
>> >> click on NEXT and get
>> >>
>> >> A window that says License Agreement.  I accept the terms and click on
>> >> NEXT and get
>> >>
>> >> A window that says "FlashUpdate (1/4) Thinkpad BIOS FlashUpdate
>> >> Program Version 1.24, This BIOS FlashUpdate program will update your
>> >> ThinkPad BIOS."  I click on NEXT and get
>> >>
>> >> A window that says "FlashUpdate (2/4) Before continuing please ensure
>> >> the following: If you system is attached to an expansion unit or dock,
>> >> please detach your system."  I don't have a dock so I click NEXT and
>> >> get
>> >>
>> >> A window that says "FlashUpdate (3/4) Before continuing please ensure
>> >> the following: Make sure the AC adapter is firmly connected to your
>> >> system and outlet.  Make sure that a fully charged battery pack is
>> >> installed in your system."  My battery reads 100% and I'm plugged in
>> >> to the wall so I click NEXT and get
>> >>
>> >> A window that says "FlashUpdate (4/4) Before continuing please ensure
>> >> the following: Save all open files and close all open applications.
>> >> I already didn't have any apps open (in this one case I was composing
>> >> this letter to I saved and closed it) so I click NEXT and get
>> >>
>> >> The window goes away, another window opens and immediately closes,
>> >> then the desktop clears itself, and Windows shuts down and starts up.
>> >>
>> >> Is there supposed to be an actual utility that opens?  I figured the
>> >> BIOS was being updated after clicking NEXT on that 4/4 window but
>> >> maybe it's supposed to launch an 80x25 text-based menu system (I
>> >> dunno).
>> >>
>> >> There's a suggestion in the readme that "In some cases, it may be a
>> >> good idea to try BIOS initialization when you have some troubles." but
>> >> I'm worried about doing this if I don't have to.
>> >>
>> >> I'm also still concerned about the System Update not working, though I
>> >> have no reason to think the two are related.
>> >>
>> >> Should I try BIOS initialization?  Or is there anything else obvious
>> >> I'm missing?
>> >>
>> >> Thanks!
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> -- 
>> >>  Andrew                            mailto:awebber@wwwebbers.com
>> >>
>> >> Friday, July 6, 2007, 10:21:00 PM, you wrote:
>> >>
>> >> > It could be that Access IBM hasn't re-read the BIOS yet.  If you
>> >> > boot into the BIOS, you'll see what version is actually
>> >> > installed rather than what some other piece of software *thinks* is
>> >> > installed..
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> > -----Original Message-----
>> >> > From: Andrew Webber <awebber@wwwebbers.com>
>> >> > Date: Friday, Jul 6, 2007 6:59 pm
>> >> > Subject: [Thinkpad] T41p: Problem updating BIOS
>> >> > To: ThinkPadders <thinkpad@stderr.org>Reply-To: Andrew Webber
>> > <awebber@wwwebbers.com>
>> >>
>> >> > While the automatic System Update still isn't working for me, I
>> >> >>thought I'd do some manual updates.
>> >> >>
>> >> >>AccessIBM says I have BIOS 3.21
>> >> >>
>> >> >>I ran 1ruj37us.exe (3.23) and shut down.
>> >> >>
>> >> >>On restart, AccessIBM still says I have BIOS 3.21!
>> >> >>
>> >> >>I've tried this several times with the same results every time.  No
>> > error message or anything.
>> >> >>
>> >> >>I could just ignore it since the computer's working, but that's what
> I
>> > do too often and it's not a good idea.
>> >> >>
>> >> >>Can anyone suggest a fix?
>> >> >>
>> >> >>Thanks!
>> >> >>
>> >> >>-- 
>> >> >> Andrew                          mailto:awebber@wwwebbers.com
>> >> >>
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>> >> >>
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>> >>
>> >> >
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Received on Fri Jul 6 23:39:51 2007

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