'Should' I update my bios from 1.09a to 2.25

[steyoung]

My new (for me) T60 is running bios version 1.09a. Other than the notion of just 'being at the most current release', should I install the latest 2.25 version? What's the potential downside of staying on this old one? Is there a risk of moving to the latest one?

Thanks, Steve

[emeraldgirl08]

Download the "Read Me" section and see if there is anything in the update that will benefit you.

There is always a risk of "bricking" your ROM so make sure your battery has enough charge in it for the procedure. Personally I took the plunge on my first try and it worked fine. I have a little bit of a reckless streak but that's just me

[steyoung]

Thanks emeraldgirl08. There are two 'fixes' that seem to be relevant.

Version 79ETE5WW (2.25)

* (New) Supports Microsoft Windows 7. (addition)

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.
* (Fix) Upgraded to the latest microcode update for Intel Core 2 Duo processor.


I'm running widows 7 so I'm not sure I 'need' to upgrade but perhaps it would be wise to do it. I'm also planning to swap my processor to a t7200 sometime this year so I may need to do it to support that. Most other fixes either don't seem relevant or I just don't understand their relevance.

[TTY]

One risk that i've heard of is when you let ThinkVantage System Update update BIOS and drivers or applications simultaneously. When you update BIOS, it's important not to turn the computer off while the BIOS update is in progress. I heard of a user, whose notebook was bricked because System Update rebooted directly after a driver had finished installation, but before the BIOS update had completed. If you update BIOS manually and according to instructions, the risk should be minimal. I never tried letting System Update update BIOS, even that might work well in the meantime. It might be that System Update has become smarter and avoids updating BIOS and drivers or applications simultaneously, i don't know. For the time being, i consider my notebook to be too expensive to try it out.

[emeraldgirl08]

Does W7 let you flash from that OS? I remember trying to do this for my R51e around Nov and it wouldn't let me. There are various ways to flash your ROM. There was a member here who could create an ISO (instead of a floppy disk) for a bootalble CD. That is the method I used and it was a successful flash.

If there is an option to create a bootable BIOS CD and you have a good battery that may be the easiest way to do it. I think there is an executable file also but that is the method that did not work with W7. That was in Nov though so I'm pretty sure it's been changed to accommodate the official W7.

I might be wrong and you should check or maybe someone will answer but if you are not happy with the effects of the latest ROM. You can reflash an older ROM.

[SHoTTa35]

I would upgrade:

http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... uj32us.txt

you can read that and see what applies to you but there are some stuff in there that definitely affected me.

[emeraldgirl08]

One risk that i've heard of is when you let ThinkVantage System Update update BIOS and drivers or applications simultaneously. When you update BIOS, it's important not to turn the computer off while the BIOS update is in progress. I heard of a user, whose notebook was bricked because System Update rebooted directly after a driver had finished installation, but before the BIOS update had completed. If you update BIOS manually and according to instructions, the risk should be minimal. I never tried letting System Update update BIOS, even that might work well in the meantime. It might be that System Update has become smarter and avoids updating BIOS and drivers or applications simultaneously, i don't know. For the time being, i consider my notebook to be too expensive to try it out.

I wouldn't ever ever ever let Thinkvantage Update do my BIOS flashing!

unh unh

[steyoung]

One risk that i've heard of is when you let ThinkVantage System Update update BIOS and drivers or applications simultaneously.

Thanks for the heads up. I think I'll just use the bios update utility directly instead of doing it through system update when the time comes.

Does W7 let you flash from that OS?

I checked the bios update utility and it says W7 32-bit is fine but if W7 64-bit is already installed on your system, then you must use the bootable CD ISO format of this BIOS update. I'm using W7 32-bit so it should work fine.

I would upgrade:...

Thanks for the link and your perspective. I think I'm coming around to the need to do the upgrade.

[sarbin]

fwiw...
i always do bios updates via the bootable cd method.
and, "back-in-the-day", i'd use the bootable floppy method.

[SHoTTa35]

I just use the EXE version that does it in Windows. As far as i'm concerned, the system will still work till i reboot if i killed it If i think something went wrong i could possibly flash it again in Windows.

In the years of owning Thinkpads however, never had one fail on me (doing it eitherway) and if it does happen to die you more than likely can have Lenovo repair it for you (warranty covered).

[steyoung]

Ok. I took the plunge and did the update to 2.25 using the windows bios update utility. It went through the update without any issues. The only heart rate increasing moment came when the system rebooted for the first time and it displayed the initial boot screen three times before starting windows. I rebooted again and it showed the splash screen once before going into windows so I guess the first time through it must be doing some updating/housekeeping work.

Thanks to all for your thoughts and advice.

[sarbin]

thanks for posting your update.
your experience adds to the knowledgebase.

[yak]

I think I let the SystemUpdate handle the BIOS update. Even in that case the procedure isn't automatic so I waited for all other updates to be finished before proceeding. Besides, I haven't seen a driver update that reboots without warning.

[TTY]

... Besides, I haven't seen a driver update that reboots without warning.

It could well be that the guy who told the horror story about System Update bricking a ThinkPad conveniently happened to forget to mention that the user had agreed to re-boot while a BIOS update was still in progress.

[netzspannung]

Regarding bios versions, a 2.25 mod-bios is available on the internets... With no device whitelist restrictions and SLIC 2.1 tables, it greatly adds up to the convenience of using the machine I can confirm it works. PM if you can't find it.