Thinkpads Forum

Summary of changes
Version 79ETD2WW (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 if the key combination Fn+F5 is pressed during startup.
* (Fix) The modem port information in the SMBIOS table ( type - 8 ) is not correct.

This BIOS Update Utility updates the BIOS (system program including the Embedded Controller (EC) program) stored in the ThinkPad system to fix problems, add new functions, or expand functions as noted below.

This release supports the following systems:
- ThinkPad T60, T60p

The following operating systems are supported:
- Microsoft Windows Vista 32-bit
- Microsoft Windows Vista 64-bit (*1)
- Microsoft Windows XP (Home Edition and Professional)
- Microsoft Windows 2000

If you have a ThinkPad T60 Wide screen model, you will need to download the T60 Wide screen version of the BIOS.

Notes:
*1: Windows Vista 64-bit supports Intel Core 2 Duo mobile processors only.
- If Windows Vista 64-bit is already installed on your system, then you must use the bootable CD ISO format of this BIOS update.

Linky: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-63024

Question to Mod: Since BIOS is an important part and its update is also important (most of the time ), may you "sticky" this thread and we can update it as another update's out? Thanks!

is it only useful for core 2 duo but not core duo?

axiom wrote:is it only useful for core 2 duo but not core duo?

It should be usable for all T60 versions as long as it's not widescreen editions. IMO, firmware updates (most of the time ) are important regardless now or later, I would try them asa they're released.

Does this fix the "flashing" screen problem?

edmicman wrote:Does this fix the "flashing" screen problem?

What do you mean? Do you mean as referring to this post? http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... =violently

If so then I guess no, my solution in that post was as I replaced the new recall Panasonic battery, the problem's solved

spt60 wrote: It should be usable for all T60 versions as long as it's not widescreen editions.

There is a widescreen version BIOS update as well.

spt60 wrote:

edmicman wrote:Does this fix the "flashing" screen problem?

What do you mean? Do you mean as referring to this post? http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... =violently

If so then I guess no, my solution in that post was as I replaced the new recall Panasonic battery, the problem's solved

I've seen a bunch of posts about my problem around here....but it's basically when the T60p is connected to an external monitor, the screen(s) will flash/flicker about every 10-20 minutes. It seems to be quickly changing resolutions to a lower resolution, and then switching back to normal. It only happens on one monitor at a time, but for me it happens to both monitors at one point or another.

There's been mentioned all kinds of things like disabling power settings and whatnot, but I've not seen anything definitive. The closest I've come to is putting the laptop to sleep, then waking it up. This seems to limit the flickering to only a few times a day. It's still very annoying though.

It's obviously a Lenovo problem, but somewhere in the video hardware or BIOS or something. I dunno....but was hoping this would have fixed it!

I've had a similar problem with external screen flashing. No dropping down to a lower resolution, though, it would just go blank for a second or three, and then come back.

My screen's connected to an Advanced Mini Dock, using DVI.

I flashed the new bios (works really nicely, different from my old T41) and I haven't had a screen flash in the past 12 hours (at least not that I've noticed.)

Anyway, there's some hope there for you.

Good luck!

rgrossha wrote:I've had a similar problem with external screen flashing. No dropping down to a lower resolution, though, it would just go blank for a second or three, and then come back.

My screen's connected to an Advanced Mini Dock, using DVI.

I flashed the new bios (works really nicely, different from my old T41) and I haven't had a screen flash in the past 12 hours (at least not that I've noticed.)

Anyway, there's some hope there for you.

Good luck!

Well here's hoping. I just flashed the BIOS and we'll see what happens. It'd be really nice if they could fix this thing....

That's nice. I'ven't used my t60 with external lcd much but glad that this update will fix any related prob. in future. Plz report back if your problem solved.

Thanks and enjoy

Using RightMark CPU Clock Utility and TPFanControl the CPU temps from each program agreed with each other.

Ever since I've updated to the new BIOS there is a 5-10C difference between the two temps. TPFanControl is reporting the lower temps. Has anyone else noticed this?

If you are a Linux user, I advise not to upgrade to BIOS v2.12
After I updated my BIOS to 2.12, my microcode module returns an error saying...
[Device driver microcode lacks bus and class support for being resumed]

Whatever that means
it didn't appear before I upgrade.

we had this error hardware mulfunction in one of our machines and they had us upgrade to this bios because of that, I hope that fixes it,

hw malfunction
call hardware vendor for support
nmi channell...

system has halted

rgrossha wrote:I flashed the new bios (works really nicely, different from my old T41) and I haven't had a screen flash in the past 12 hours (at least not that I've noticed.)

My screen still flickers with the new BIOS. I've also had my first complete lock-up EVER on ANY Thinkpad. By complete lock-up, I mean the mouse wouldn't move and none of the keys/buttons did anything. I was typing something in Word when it happened. If it happens again, I'm rolling back.

After updating my BIOS yesterday, I've experienced a halted black screen.

no problem for me so far

No problem for me so far. Only thing I have noticed is that when plugged in it goes into standby when before it did not.

My Core duo T60 seems to be running a bit hotter after the update. Previously temps used to be in the 43-35 range, now it is in 46-48. Needless to say, the fans are constantly on.

hoplite wrote:Using RightMark CPU Clock Utility and TPFanControl the CPU temps from each program agreed with each other.

Ever since I've updated to the new BIOS there is a 5-10C difference between the two temps. TPFanControl is reporting the lower temps. Has anyone else noticed this?

TPFancontrol and mobmeter are reporting the identical temps after upgrading the bios on my machine.

axiom wrote:If you are a Linux user, I advise not to upgrade to BIOS v2.12
After I updated my BIOS to 2.12, my microcode module returns an error saying...
[Device driver microcode lacks bus and class support for being resumed]

Whatever that means
it didn't appear before I upgrade.

I'm on linux too (2.6.20) but didn't notice any difference at all - neither in system behaviour nor in fan behaviour (I upgraded from 2.01 to 2.12).

I wonder if this "microcode update" affects only C2D or C1D machines or both - I'm running a C1D.

I am on Core duo too, do you load the microcode module?

frankausmtank wrote:

axiom wrote:If you are a Linux user, I advise not to upgrade to BIOS v2.12
After I updated my BIOS to 2.12, my microcode module returns an error saying...
[Device driver microcode lacks bus and class support for being resumed]

Whatever that means
it didn't appear before I upgrade.

I'm on linux too (2.6.20) but didn't notice any difference at all - neither in system behaviour nor in fan behaviour (I upgraded from 2.01 to 2.12).

I wonder if this "microcode update" affects only C2D or C1D machines or both - I'm running a C1D.

Thanks updated successfully.

Screen definitely still flickering for me after the update. I really wish they'd fix this - it's been a problem for over a year now. Maybe we all need to start a petition, or bombard their tech support with the same issue - instead of praying that one day they'd just care enough to fix it on their own.

I've updated BIOS without any problem.
My model is 2623-D6U

Goodluck

GXCross wrote:Screen definitely still flickering for me after the update. I really wish they'd fix this - it's been a problem for over a year now. Maybe we all need to start a petition, or bombard their tech support with the same issue - instead of praying that one day they'd just care enough to fix it on their own.

Is this flickering problem common across all display adapters available for the T60 series? On my current laptop, I use a dual-monitor setup whenever I can, spanning my desktop across both. This would be pretty annoying if it occurred with any frequency.

Dodge DeBoulet wrote:

GXCross wrote:Screen definitely still flickering for me after the update. I really wish they'd fix this - it's been a problem for over a year now. Maybe we all need to start a petition, or bombard their tech support with the same issue - instead of praying that one day they'd just care enough to fix it on their own.

Is this flickering problem common across all display adapters available for the T60 series? On my current laptop, I use a dual-monitor setup whenever I can, spanning my desktop across both. This would be pretty annoying if it occurred with any frequency.

I've searched this forum and Google and it seems like the flicker problem is fairly common for T60p owners. It's kinda weird to describe, but here's what it does for me:

I have an external widescreen LCD connected to the VGA port on the T60p (no dock). The Thinkpad is the primary display, and the external LCD is the secondary, configured to be to the right of the laptop. I've uninstalled the Presentation Director software, I'm using Ultramon to handle dual displays.

What I see is every so often, one of the screens (never both, and never the same one....I'm not even sure if they alternate or not...it just happens to each at some point) "flickers". It's only for a split second, and I don't think it goes to "black" or something, I think for a split second it shifts the resolution down or something. I can't really tell...basically the screen flashes for a fraction of a second and then is normal. Like I said, it happens on both, but randomly. I almost want to say it happens on the opposite monitor that I'm working on (so maybe my focus or cursor is on the monitor that *doesn't* flash at that moment?) because I swear I see it out of the corner of my eye...I don't think it happens often to the monitor I'm actually looking at at the time.

If I boot up and begin working, the flickering seems to happen at fairly quick intervals. I want to say every 10 minutes or so. I saw a post here that recommended putting the laptop to sleep (Fn-F4 I think?) and then waking it back up. I do this in the morning, and the problem doesn't go away, but it maybe happens a couple-few times a day, rather than on a regular basis. So at this point I'm living with it.

I have no idea what the problem might be...I've forced it to use catalyst drivers (I'm on the FireGL 5250), I've got the current BIOS. I *didn't* wipe the drive clean and reinstall Windows XP when I got it, so I'm on the factory install. It feels like a software problem somewhere, but I don't know what. It'd be nice if Lenovo would fix it, but it's hard to describe what the problem is in the first place - especially when it seems to "randomly" happen at all!

Hmm... Thanks for such a detail problem desc. and your contribution. I'm using a t60 not 'p' and haven't connected externally yet although I have a lcd, using it for tv mostly

I wish you all who have the same *annoying probs. will get it over with soon by a working fix.

I think the update helped to lower the battery drain a bit ... and the fan isn't working that often anymore... or am I wrong??

pharao111 wrote:I think the update helped to lower the battery drain a bit ... and the fan isn't working that often anymore... or am I wrong??

Not sure, but that would be nice

spt60 wrote:

pharao111 wrote:I think the update helped to lower the battery drain a bit ... and the fan isn't working that often anymore... or am I wrong??

Not sure, but that would be nice

yep would be nice, though im still on the 1.xx bios as apparently the temps (and in turn fans spinnage) is less than on the 2.xx bios's. truth or false rumour i read on these forums?