What's the Correct BIOS Update for my Lenovo R61?

[froyse]

Main question:

I have a Lenovo R61 15.4"screen laptop with IEEE 1394. What is the correct BIOS update version for my system?

** The version on Lenovo's BIOS File Matrix webpage, 7KET72WW (1.22-1.06), seems wrong and out of date compared to this page:

http://74.125.45.104/search?q=cache:jqs ... cd=5&gl=us

which indicates it should be 7OETC1WW (2.21). **

Background:

This Lenovo R61 laptop has always been sluggish and problematic, with performance much, much worse than my previous XP system with worse specs. Originally, I tried reinstalling Vista to remove the unnecessary factory software that I thought might be responsible for slowing down the system. This was the start of many problems. I had added a brand new 2nd 1GB stick of RAM to the system, and I wasn't able to successfully reinstall Vista using the ThinkVantage tools. When I contacted support, they told me it was due to the system being different from the original specs (the additional RAM). This is ridiculous, but also correct. Also, my Windows key sticker on the bottom of the laptop was scuffed and unreadable, straight from the factory. I was informed by support that the key isn't useful or necessary because the only way to reinstall Vista is by using the ThinkVantage tools. Again, ridiculous, but after removing my extra RAM, I was able to reinstall Vista. This did not help performance, even with the extra software removed.

On to the current problem:

I'm experiencing multiple daily BSODs. The Vista crash analysis usually points to the USB driver, sometimes the network adaptor driver, and also often returns nothing.

I'd like to update my BIOS, but I'm not sure which version to use. According to System Information, my system model is 8932CTO. The current system BIOS is version 7OET24WW (1.03). I did a Google search for this BIOS and found the following cached page:

[ http://74.125.45.104/search?q=cache:jqs ... cd=5&gl=us ] It lists the following:

This release supports the following systems:
- ThinkPad R61 - 15.4 inch widescreen models
Machine types: 8930, 8933, 8934, 8935, 8936, 8937
- ThinkPad R61i - 15.4 inch widescreen model with IEEE 1394
Machine type: 8932

The current BIOS version for my system's model number is shown as:

Version: 2.21-1.08
Release Date: 2008/09/16
File link File size File description
7ouj13us.exe 2,728,120 BIOS Update Utility

The BIOS history is shown as:

Code: Select all

Utility version  BIOS version    Previous release  Embedded Controller version
2.21-1.08        7OETC1WW (2.21) Current release   7KHT24WW (1.08)
2.20-1.08        7OETC0WW (2.20) 7ouj12us 	      7KHT24WW (1.08)
2.18-1.08        7OETB8WW (2.18) 7ouj10us          7KHT24WW (1.08)
2.16-1.08        7OETB6WW (2.16) 7ouj09us          7KHT24WW (1.08)
2.15-1.08        7OETB5WW (2.15) 7ouj08us          7KHT24WW (1.08)
2.14-1.08        7OETB4WW (2.14) 7ouj07us          7KHT24WW (1.08)
2.10-1.08        7OETB0WW (2.10) 7ouj05us          7KHT24WW (1.08)
2.09-1.08        7OETA9WW (2.09) 7ouj04us          7KHT24WW (1.08)
2.07-1.08        7OETA7WW (2.07) 7ouj03us          7KHT24WW (1.08)
1.07-1.08        7OET28WW (1.07) 7ouj02us          7KHT24WW (1.08)
1.03-1.06        7OET24WW (1.03) 7ouj01us          7KHT22WW (1.06) 

The earliest version on this list, 7OET24WW (1.03) matches the BIOS on my system, so that indicates that I should upgrade to the current release, 7OETC1WW (2.21).

That page indicates that my system model supports IEEE 1394 (Firewire), and sure enough, the Device Manager lists a RICOH OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller, even though my laptop doesn't have a firewire port! So...

SIDE QUESTION: Why does my laptop have an IEEE 1394 controller but no port? Is it used for something else? Can I safely disable the controller driver if it is indeed useless?

The same page also lists the BIOS history for thise models, and the current BIOS version does not match that shown on the Lenovo BIOS File Matrix - ThinkPad page here: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... E-3VAM8Y#r

Code: Select all

BIOS version          BIOS release date  Embedded controller version  Embedded controller release date
R61 14.1 inch widescreen with IEEE 1394
7LET52WW (1.22-1.06)  19 Sep 2007        Included in the BIOS Update Utility

R61 14.1inch and 15.4inch widescreen without IEEE 1394
7KET72WW (1.22-1.06)  28 Aug 2007        Included in the BIOS Update Utility

R61 15 inch
7QET25WW (1.07)       09 Sep 2007        Included in the BIOS Update Utility 

R61 14.1inch and 15.4inch widescreen without IEEE 1394
7KET72WW (1.22-1.06)   28 Aug 2007       Included in the BIOS Update Utility

My computer is an R61 with 15.4inch widescreen with IEEE 1394 (at least the controller). NONE OF THESE BIOS VERSIONS MATCH THE OTHER PAGE I FOUND, WHICH SEEMS MORE ACCURATE!!! Also, only one of the many, many BIOS versions shown on this page is from 2008. So is the Lenovo BIOS File Matrix page totally out of date or what?

So, which BIOS version should I use to update my system, and how else can I diagnose these BSOD and performance problems?

[froyse]

I posted this same question on the official Lenovo support forum and got two replies. It turns out that Lenovo's BIOS File Matrix webpage is either not up-to-date or simply didn't include my laptop's exact model. The correct BIOS update is 7OETC1WW (2.21).

Also, I was wrong about the firewire. This laptop does have a tiny firewire port that I didn't notice before and have never used.

So I made a CD from the ISO file and did update the BIOS. I restarted and not more than 10 minutes later, I got another BSOD. When Vista rebooted, there wasn't even a crash report. I don't know what to think anymore, except that I should throw this defective P.O.S. laptop out the window. Unfortunately the warranty ended in August, so no help from Lenovo.

Any suggestions?

[rkawakami]

My experience has been that BSODs can come from at least four different sources:

- defective memory
- hard drive errors
- poorly written software
- intermittent motherboard issue

You can test your memory modules using a program like memtest86+, available from here:

http://www.memtest.org

If you have two modules, test one at a time. Allow at least three complete passes through the tests before deciding that the memory is good.

You can test the hard drive (read only) using the Fixed Disk diagnostic in PC Doctor for DOS for the R61 from here:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-67910

or select one from the HD manufacturer (DFT if Hitachi, SeaTools if Seagate, etc.).

Can't really suggest anything about the third problem (software) unless you can determine what program/driver is causing the crashes. The usual thing to do is roll back the driver but if you're getting the BSODs from a fresh installation, then I'd see if there is an updated driver for your USB and network adapter.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-67856

As far as the motherboard issue is concerned, that's usually taken care of by replacing the whole thing . You could first try taking out any "extra" hardware (communication daughter card(s), MiniPCI card, disconnecting all USB devices, removing the Ultrabay drive) and see if that helps with the system stability.

[froyse]

Thanks for your reply, Ray.

I made a memtest86+ boot disc from the ISO file as you suggested and tested my memory repeatedly. It passed every time.

I think the frequent crashes are due to my wifi adapter. I normally connect to an Apple AirPort wireless router. Lately I've been losing my connection in the evening at a fairly consistent time. Actually, my connection status didn't change, but rather I wasn't getting any data flow and couldn't access any web pages. I'm not sure if that's due to the wifi adapter, the AirPort, my ISP, or something else. Anyway, when this would happen, I would just hop on my neighbor's Netgear network, and that's when I started to experience the crashes.

I tried turning off the wireless radio using the physical switch on the front of my laptop, and I haven't had a crash since. (fingers crossed)

Unfortunately, now I'm stuck with a tethered connection at the dining room table. I'm not sure what to do about the internal wifi adapter, as it has the latest driver. I would try rolling back the driver, but I'm not sure to what. Any suggestions?

(Regardless of the crashes, this laptop is still a slug, but that's a problem for another thread.)