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How to update BIOS by USB?

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 8:09 pm
by JKK
Hello,

I got the modified BIOS from the user Zender, so now i'd like to update but i got no (re)writable CD.

Anyway i don't care cause i hate things that make noise and are so unpractical :lol:

Can anyone tell me the procedure to follow to be able to do update by USB?

Thanks :)

Re: How to update BIOS by USB?

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:09 pm
by RealBlackStuff
Your best bet is to go and visit a friend with a CD burner, and ask him/her to burn you a CD from the BIOS update file.
I wouldn't trust a BIOS update via USB. Besides, your laptop may not even be able to boot from USB.

Re: How to update BIOS by USB?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 9:22 am
by JKK
Everyone is telling that :lol: Don't worry, USB boot is avalaible; i'd never get a comp without it! I don't think USB is less safe than a freakin CD :)

Well, if anyone done that to his Thinkpad, answer... Otherwise i'll update when i can get a CD.Having to bother with a CD for few MB...!

I can't understand why/how people cannot prefer USB in 2010, once you know it, can't return, really! :wink:

Re: How to update BIOS by USB?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 10:14 am
by GomJabbar
I know my T42 will boot a USB floppy drive or a USB CD/DVD drive, so it 'should' be able to boot a USB key (haven't tried that though).

Try at your own risk...

To create a bootable USB key, see: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=2514

Re: How to update BIOS by USB?

Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 12:29 am
by JKK
I already made a bootable USB key and i know how to update BIOS this way BUT! Need DOS bios update program and Lenovo only provide Win32 program :?

Re: How to update BIOS by USB?

Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:38 am
by GomJabbar
Since you never mentioned which model ThinkPad you are working with, it is kind of hard to give specific advice. There are diskette versions of BIOS updates for at least some ThinkPad models.

Re: How to update BIOS by USB?

Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 2:47 pm
by JKK
No, it's not so old. It's an R61.

Re: How to update BIOS by USB?

Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 7:11 am
by RealBlackStuff
There are bootable CDs (i.e. the .iso files for it) available on the Lenovo website.
such as 14.1" widescreen R61: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 67989.html
Get the correct file, go visit that friend with the CD burner and don't bother with USB-stick update.

Put the 7-character Type/model (like e.g. 2366-87U) in your forum-signature, that way it's easier for us to give specific help.

Re: How to update BIOS by USB?

Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 8:54 pm
by JKK
Actually, it's the Zender BIOS i want to use.. I have the archive, have to burn DVD now.. If it's not the right one, i'll get a warning, right?

Re: How to update BIOS by USB?

Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2010 5:26 am
by RealBlackStuff
Yes, you should get a warning.
You can burn a CD instead, cheaper than a DVD.

Re: How to update BIOS by USB?

Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 12:48 pm
by JKK
I only have a DVD as rewritable stuff.. That's why i wanted to use USB..

Re: How to update BIOS by USB?

Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 11:15 pm
by JKK
Ok i finally updated! I have few questions now : When i launched the DVD, it asked me wether to update BIOS or something "update version" what is it?

The Zender BIOS i got is said to be made from last BIOS but now number showed is former one.. I hope this message is not too hard to understand :lol:

Re: How to update BIOS by USB?

Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2010 6:50 am
by RealBlackStuff
That's the last version made by Zender. There won't be any more updates from him :(

Re: How to update BIOS by USB?

Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 12:39 am
by JKK
Yeah i could guess that since he doesn't come anymore... Anyway you didn't answer my question : What's that update version thing?

Re: How to update BIOS by USB?

Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 12:47 pm
by RealBlackStuff
I don't know, the last time I installed a Zender BIOS was probably in 2009, but I don't remember if there was such an option.
Anyone else?

Re: How to update BIOS by USB?

Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 12:54 pm
by GomJabbar
Embedded controller update perhaps?

Re: How to update BIOS by USB?

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 7:14 pm
by JKK
Forgot another question, if i send the unit for repair, should i restore original BIOS or they wouldn't care of this one?

Re: How to update BIOS by USB?

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 7:53 pm
by JKK
:eek: