bios update needed

[flyingal]

have had my T42p for a couple of years now, no problems until recently. seems i get this error message, blue screen and it reboots; initially it was a very seldom occurrence, now its hapening pretty regularly, so much so that I cannot even get through a download of the systaem update installer without it rebooting...and it it so quick that I cannot freeze the screen or read it fast enough to get any info as to the type of error or its location. I was hoping a bios update may resolve this problem. I downloaded the file from the IBM/Lenovo website and printed up and read and re-read the several pages of instructions and it sure seems pretty daunting. I have flashed the BIOS on my desktop before but I built that myself and the instructions for that were pretty detailed...not so with the thinkpad. Can anyone help me through thiis comfortably? Its my personal notebook, not business related or shared with anyone...its also still under warranty...will IBM do this for me? will IBM troubleshoot the problem? Thanks to all in advance.

T42p 2379-DXU w/Windows XP Pro

[EOMtp]

I don't think a BIOS update will resolve your problem. Further, I would not attempt a BIOS update if you have a memory problem -- and it sounds to me like you do.

If, perchance, you have two memory strips in the unit, see if the problem disappears with just one or the other memory strip in the machine. If so, then you know the culprit.

[GomJabbar]

...I cannot even get through a download of the systaem update installer without it rebooting...and it it so quick that I cannot freeze the screen or read it fast enough to get any info as to the type of error or its location.

I doubt if a BIOS update will solve your problem, but as for the above, do the following. Right-click on My Computer, choose Properties > Advanced > Startup and Recovery Settings > and under System failure, uncheck box for Automatically restart. Now your computer will not reboot automatically on failure.

Also, with your computer in an unstable state, I do not think flashing the BIOS is a good idea. You may end up ruining the System Board (motherboard). Your problem is most likely conflicting software, bad memory, or a failing hard drive. Try running PC Doctor and see if it comes up with anything. As a last resort you may have to reinstall Windows if the software environment is too messed up.