BIOS Flash Question

[Callahan]

I was reading this information in a post in the ThinkPad T6x Series thread.

ThinkPad T6x Series-T60p CPU upgrade: Now Laptop Won't Start: Had no idea I had to flash a bios when upgrading the processor.

Now it has me wondering if I need to do that with my T41, T42-14 in and T42-15 in. I did a Banias to Dothan 1.8 upgrade on all three ThinkPads several years back.

I have no problems at present that I know of ... everything seems to be working just fine. However, is this something that should be done with all upgrades - flash the BIOS again and going from a Banias to a Dothan processor? I guess if I was having some problems, I might have thought of doing this sooner.

thanks,

[RealBlackStuff]

BIOS update for CPU upgrade is not required in T4x/R5x.
In T61 it is usually only needed when going to Penryn CPU on older mobos.
I'm not aware of T60 needing that.
However, on ca. 10 years and older Thinkpads it's recommended to put on the latest BIOS.
Some modded ones also have the wifi-whitelist removed and Slic2.1 added for W7 (like the TTAV134 mods for T4x).

[BillP]

For the T60 bios 2.12 had a CPU update.

<2.12>
- [Important]
This BIOS contains a critical processor microcode update to
improve system reliability. Lenovo highly recommends that you
apply this BIOS update.

- (New) Expands allocated memory size for the CSS Hardware Password Reset
Service.
- (Fix) Upgraded to the latest microcode update for Intel Core 2 Duo
processor.
- (Fix) The WWAN device may not work on the Windows Vista, if the key
combination Fn+F5 is pressed during startup.
- (Fix) The modem port information in the SMBIOS table (type-8) is not
correct.

[RealBlackStuff]

That 2.12 is a really old BIOS
One can assume that most (if not all) forum members with a T60/X60/R60 have a more modern Zender-BIOS applied with the wifi whitelist removed.
For T61/X61/R61 one can assume the same with a Middleton BIOS (which includes many more goodies).
(and for T43/R52 there is TTAV134's BIOS)

[Callahan]

Thanks RBS for the information ... "BIOS update for CPU upgrade is not required in T4x/R5x." ... good to know.