[HELP-Z60m]How to update BIOS or ECP when...

[Piratez]

1. the non-diskette updater doesn't work => my system keeps booting to windows, the update screen never appeared.

common requirements such as:
- fully charged battery
- plugged AC adaptor
- all BIOS passwords - supervisor, power-on, hard disk - are all removed
- BIOS update enabled

are all met.

2. no floppy drive => unable to use diskette updater.

I have tried to create a bootable USB drive, only to find out that the diskette updater actually requires REAL 3.5" 1.44MB diskette.

Any help is appreciated.

Thx

[PDX28]

I had / have the same problem. If you have access to a laptop or desktop pc with a floppy disk drive it's actually pretty easy.

You will need to run the Bios update (diskette version) on that computer and copy the files onto the floppy disk. Then use a cd burning software like Nero to create a bootable CD Rom disk which you can use later on the Thinkpad to upgrade the Bios.

If you need step by step instructions go to http://www.bay-wolf.com/bootcd6.htm. It really works and is probably much safer than the System update version.

[Zen]

Why not use the thinkvantage system update? It will update the bios without all the hassle of using the diskettes.

[GomJabbar]

I see bfgun is posting a different method. I am curious if it actually works. http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=31575

do what i do.
Stand-alone update.

For unattended update, specify the file name with options
"-s -a -s". (e.g. C:\Temp\1YUJ18US.EXE -s -a -s)
The BIOS is updated without any user interaction.

I download the file to the C:\ drive, rename it to bios.EXE
then click start -> run -> C:\bios.EXE -s -a -s

No need to do anything else. the pc will reboot, flash, then it'll power off.

This will help a LOT of those who are having trouble trying to update their bios.



Brian

[PDX28]

Why not use the thinkvantage system update? It will update the bios without all the hassle of using the diskettes.

tried it several times and doesn't work for me for some reason. So it looks like I have to use a bootable CD Rom because I don't want to spend like $ 50 for a USB Floppy drive which I probably would rarely use anyway.

I've had the same symptoms for the embedded control chip update.

[Piratez]

@All: thank you for your responses.

I have finally been able to update my Z60m' ECP.

These are what I did:
1. Extract the content of non-diskette updater, and find the IMG file (in my case, it is 77HJ07US.IMG).
2. Extract the content of the IMG file to a folder (I use WinImage) and copy the folder to my bootable USB pendrive.
3. Boot from the USB drive, and run "UPDTFLSH.EXE".
4. Voila... ECP is updated smoothly

@GomJabbar: thx for the info. I will try that method when the next update released.

[Piratez]

I see bfgun is posting a different method. I am curious if it actually works. http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=31575

I tried that method with BIOS v1.22 non-diskette version, and it didn't work. So far, the UPDTFLSH method above is the only working solution for me.

Thx.

[GomJabbar]

Thanks for the update. How did you make your USB key bootable? I just got a new 1GB USB key, and I guess it wouldn't be a bad idea to make it bootable. I really wish I could somehow copy my cloning software to the USB key, but all my attempts at making a backup copy of the floppy failed.