R52 bios will not install - help!

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bstrain74 · #1 Post by **bstrain74** » Sun May 13, 2007 7:15 pm

I have an R52 model 1847-92U (with BIOS 1.25) and I just downloaded the latest bios version 1.29. I double-click, and the BIOS Update Utility starts and I am able to go through the 4 FlashUpdate screens, the PC reboots but the BIOS doesnt install. I am plugged in and my battery is at 100%.

I also tried using the Software Updater and I only chose the BIOS to download and update but that doesnt work either. I checked my BIOS settings and Supervisor password is disabled and Lock BIOS is disabled. Is there anything I am missing?

Thanks to all

bontistic · #2 Post by **bontistic** » Mon May 14, 2007 2:14 am

Although I am not sure if it is an issue but do you have EC version 1.05 or later?

bstrain74 · #3 Post by **bstrain74** » Mon May 14, 2007 12:28 pm

Yes, I am on version 1.06. Anyone have any ideas?

Once I reach the last FlashUpdate screen (4/4) the computer just reboots itself, there is nothing like "would you like to restart now?". Does that mean anything? I also tried disabling my antivirus but that didnt work either.

markuss · #4 Post by **markuss** » Fri May 18, 2007 6:26 am

Try to upgrade BIOS in DOS; I had same problem with R32 to instal the latest BIOS from within Windows.

bstrain74 · #5 Post by **bstrain74** » Fri May 18, 2007 8:09 am

Sorry to be a newbie but what's the best/easiest way to upgrade the BIOS from within DOS? Boot using a floppy disk? My R52 doesnt have a floppy drive.

Thanks again!

markuss · #6 Post by **markuss** » Fri May 18, 2007 8:31 am

Download diskette variant from IBM ( exe file ) on another computer, run that one, it will make a boot floppy disk, use MagicISO to make image file ( iso ) from this floppy and burn with nero a CD. Boot from this one and run the IBM upgrade software. Good luck. I just did it last night.

bstrain74 · #7 Post by **bstrain74** » Fri May 18, 2007 10:11 am

thanks for the info - i created the iso file using ultraiso - i'm using nero to burn the files, do i just choose "Burn image..." in Nero, or is there a special way to make a bootable cd in nero?

my thinkpad wont boot to the cd!!

bstrain74 · #8 Post by **bstrain74** » Fri May 18, 2007 10:23 am

does anyone know why it's so difficult to upgrade the bios? there is an exe file i downloaded to upgrade the bios but that didnt work, neither did using the Software Update thing. Now I have to download, make an iso file, try to burn that to disc, which I did, and now the thinkpad wont boot the stupid CD!?? Why do I have to jump through hoops just to upgrade the bios? I am doing something wrong - is there a bug?

Thanks for the help!

andyP · #9 Post by **andyP** » Fri May 18, 2007 10:26 am

Have you changed your boot order in BIOS? or, easier press F12 when starting and choose the optical drive as first boot. If it doesn't work then possibly something went wrong creating the cd.

Hang in there, don't lose it

bstrain74 · #10 Post by **bstrain74** » Fri May 18, 2007 10:43 am

my bios is set to boot the cd first - i'm even pressing the Access IBM button and manually telling it to boot to the cd! I've even tried 2 CD's with no luck.

did i burn the cd wrong using nero??

did i make the iso wrong when using UltraISO?

any help would be appreciated.

thanks again

bstrain74 · #11 Post by **bstrain74** » Fri May 18, 2007 10:44 am

another thing - the cd itself ends up with 26 files on it - is this correct?

bontistic · #12 Post by **bontistic** » Fri May 18, 2007 1:22 pm

I have read some more notes on the BIOS update page.
What OS are you using? If using Vista, then you MUST use the diskette version.

Also, here is a direct quote from the Lenovo site:

Installation instructions
Notes:
To determine if you should update the system program (BIOS), refer to the Summary of changes..
Remove the Power-on password prior to updating the system program (BIOS) in RDM (Remote Deployment Manager) environment or similar environment.
You need an AC adapter and a charged battery pack to update the system program (BIOS).
If your system is attached to any kind of docking station or port replicator, turn off the system and detach it before proceeding.
If a USB Diskette Drive is attached to your system, turn off the system and detach it before proceeding.

Here's another idea, can you try 1.26 then 1.27 one by one until 1.29.

markuss · #13 Post by **markuss** » Fri May 18, 2007 1:26 pm

Do not choose 'make boot cd'; just 'burn image'. For my R32 I have 12 files. They should count 1.44M like a floppy. !! If you don't really need this update (to solve a problem) do not do it. If something goes wrong your TP is dead!!

bstrain74 · #14 Post by **bstrain74** » Fri May 18, 2007 3:24 pm

I am using windows xp.

Where do I find bios 1.27 or 1.28 - I didnt see older bios for download.

Also, I read the notes...I am not using any power-on password and my thinkpad is plugged in but does the battery need to be exactly 100%? Mine is 98%.

No docking station either. Reason I'm doing this bios upgrade is to install Vista - website says this bios has support for vista.

thanks!

bontistic · #15 Post by **bontistic** » Fri May 18, 2007 9:29 pm

You can get the previous BIOSes from the R52 BIOS download page here. Look further down the page and you will see a table of previous BIOSes.

You have to exercise caution as what markuss said, If something goes wrong, your TP is dead. This means to get to the latest version of BIOS going through 4 additional upgrades, you are probably risking it an extra 400x so please don't upgrade if you are hesitant and you dont need it 100%.

Battery need not be exactly 100%. A safe figure for me is 75% up. BIOS will allow lower than this but I keep that figure just in case.

bstrain74 · #16 Post by **bstrain74** » Sat May 19, 2007 6:49 am

ok then, do i need bios 1.29 to install vista? If I can stay on 1.25 then I will!

Thanks for all the help - i'm going to install 1.26 now and see what happens.

bstrain74 · #17 Post by **bstrain74** » Sat May 19, 2007 6:58 am

no luck installing 1.26 either.

this is just weird, doesnt everyone think?

anyone have ANY other ideas I could try aside from like reinstalling the OS or something drastic?

thanks

bstrain74 · #18 Post by **bstrain74** » Sat May 26, 2007 10:10 am

well, still no luck getting bios 1.29 installed on this R52.

can i try booting to some type of boot disc, such as Hiren's Boot and then load DOS from there and then execute the files on the bios CD? How would I go about doing this - like which file would I run on the CD?

Thanks

evimarn · #19 Post by **evimarn** » Tue May 29, 2007 3:16 am

Can you try it in safemode maybe something is in conflict while trying to update the bios file?or else try contactinf the faq section at the ibm/lenovo site.

R52 bios will not install - help!

R52 bios will not install - help!

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