update BIOS for R50p -- which option do I want ?

[Matt_]

This R50p is using BIOS 3.18

When I ran the non-diskette BIOS update 3.23 1RETDRWW in preparation for installing Windows 7, I was presented with two options; not being 100% certain which option to select, I aborted the update.

From the .txt file (see below), I think I am supposed to select option #1 because the .txt file says
"10. Select Update system program and follow the instructions on the screen." ?

option #2: update system program in system ROM

option #3: update model number in SMBIOS data area


Thank you for your help !

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloa ... D=DS013709

http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... uj37us.txt

[ajkula66]

Option # 1

Good luck.

[Matt_]

Thank you for your help !

I have a question to anyone. Lenovo's documentation for installing a newer BIOS or embedded controller advise you that you should have a charged battery.

Just how charged does the battery need to be ?

When this laptop was turned over to me by a family member two weeks ago, it had BIOS v3.18 and embedded controller v3.00a and a battery that would not charge above 4%.

Two days ago it suddenly was able to charge up to 100%. I wonder now if the battery charging problem had to do with a bug that was not fixed until embedded controller v.302 and v3.04:
"Support for Battery data logging and cell voltage check"
"Sometimes battery does not charge"

Anyways, if the battery had still been at 4% when I attempted to upgrade the BIOS and embedded controller, would the update have worked ?

[RealBlackStuff]

Most likely not, in my experience the battery LED needs to be green before BIOS update is allowed.
(unless you go through hoops, modifying the update, so it can work without a battery, your risk).

[Matt_]

Thank you. I did not know that. Again, so I can learn and also in case someone later on has the same concern, I have a follow-up question.

Besides "unless you go through hoops, modifying the update, so it can work without a battery, your risk", would there any way to charge the battery into the green zone to be able to proceed with the update when the person is in my position where the laptop for some reason was not charging the battery ?

Right now I can think of only two options:
- use a spare IBM/Lenovo laptop to try to charge the battery
- if the person does not have access to a spare IBM/Lenovo laptop, buy a new battery since I assume that new IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad batteries have enough of a partial charge that they're in the green zone ?