thinkpad t30 2366 bios update with linux

[allief]

Hello there

I have an thinkpad t30 2366 which has given many years of good service . Currently this is running xubuntu 12.04 with no great issue , sometimes being a little sluggish . My curiosity was piqued recently looking around this forum that with a bios update this PC can install 2gb of ram . However I also see that there is a hardware issue with the second memory slot and I think that this machine has it . Here is the output of sudo lshw:

*-memory
description: System Memory
physical id: 25
slot: System board or motherboard
size: 512MiB
capacity: 1GiB
*-bank:0
description: SODIMM SDRAM Synchronous
physical id: 0
slot: DIMM 1
size: 512MiB
width: 64 bits
*-bank:1
description: SODIMM SDRAM Synchronous [empty]
physical id: 1
slot: DIMM 2


Despite there being a 256 mb Sodimm installed this second slot shows as empty.

Two questions really

Has anyone updated the bios on this PC without using windows XP ie is there a self booting CD option ( could not find on the Leonovo website )

Do I need to update the bios to install a 1gb Sodimm ?

Many thanks for your time


allie f

[RealBlackStuff]

You don't need a BIOS update to install 2x1GB RAM.
You can try removing the 256MB and put in the 512MB there, then try to boot.
Then try the 256 in the 512 slot.
The 256MB RAM might be bad, or your second slot is bad.
As to BIOS updates, get a floppy drive for the Ultrabay or get a USB floppy drive (recommended).

[allief]

Many thanks !

allie f