Upgrade 600X bios without battery?

Message

ajocius · #1 Post by **ajocius** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 7:46 am

My battery is dead and I have no wish to buy new one. However I would like to upgrade my BIOS to the newest one, that would allow me to upgrade to WinXP. I searched net for couple of days now. Found one solution, but it is apparently for another type of thinkpads, as the files in my update do not correspond to suggested ones. This is what I refer to:
>yes, i have a method which can upgrade the bios without a fully charged
>battery..
>first of all ,you need to make a bios-update floppy disk and another
>clean bootable disk with no config.sys and autoexec.bat
>then copy the following files from the bios-update disk to the bootable
>disk: phlash.exe and $0179000.FL1 $0179000.FL3.
>and rename the $0179000.fl1 to bios.rom ,$0179000.fl3 to platform.bin
>finally use the bootable disk to reboot. And turn to driver letter
>a:>,just type "phlash<enter>",this program will automatically search for
>the file platform.bin(the manufacturer specific initialization file) and
>use the default file bios.rom to update bios. everything will be done
>just as using the bios-update disk. And this method will not detect
>whether you use a AC adaptor/battery nor not.
>warning:
> take the risk with your own...this is NOT a safe way to update the
>bios which IBM recommended.though it really works

Does anybody succeded to upgrade BIOS somehow? I understand that I take a risk in case electricity will dissapear. but this is so remote to happen. Is there any chance to start some DOS program, that would tell upgrade programs that batteries are fully charged? Or mayby somebody knows how to overcome problem in a similar way as above, but with files that are in the latest 600X upgrade. The files I see are:
$0045000.fl1
$0045000.fl2
flash2.exe
prod.dat
updtflsh.exe
updtrom.exe
userint.exe
utilinfo.exe

Would really appreciate help on this, as I can't find answer myself.

Regards,
Arunas

ajocius_the same as prev. · #2 Post by **ajocius_the same as prev.** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 2:47 pm

Well, it is either obvious to everyone, or it is completely impossible, as I received zero response.... I was searching itnernet for two days, without luck, today I called IBM service here in Norway and ..... they agreed to borrow me battery. Wonderful. Right now, I have updated BIOS, installed XP and addressing following challenges with drivers. This is just an advice to people having problem like me. Try to borrow battery from official IBM support if you don't habe friend with working battery. I do not see any other solution to this problem.
Best regards,
Arunas

slagmi · #3 Post by **slagmi** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 11:47 am

Boot from a plain system disk, swap the floppy with the IBM BIOS diskette version floppy & run updtflsh.exe
Know beforehand that if the power cord comes loose or the power goes out while you are in the middle of this it will likely be unrecoverable.

Guest · #4 Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 5:25 am

Your method is not working.
After run updtflsh.exe -> The system program file was not found on the diskette. Insert the correct diskette in the drive.

slagmi · #5 Post by **slagmi** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 10:04 am

Worked for me on an A31.

Your error is indicating that the update program is running but the "ROM" file (the actual Updated BIOS code) is not found at the expected location.

Notes/suggestions/details:

1> In Windows XP right-click the A drive and choose Format. After checking the box labled "Create a MS-DOS Startup Disk", format the 1st floppy.

2> Make the diskette flash with a 2nd floppy disk exactly according to the IBM instructions. Though the instructions say to boot from that disk to actually do the flash, you will not. Personally, after creating the floppy, I always run chkdsk /r on the floppy before using it for something as critical as a BIOS flash. You really don't want to be using a bad floppy for this.

3> Boot from the disk you made in step one, then when you see the a:\prompt swap with the IBM disk.

4> Use the DOS DIR command to verify the update program and the BIOS file are both present. If they are not, perhaps try step 2 again with a new floppy.

5> There are several executables on the floppy. You can run each by typing the name and pressing Enter to see what they do. I'm pretty sure updtflsh will just go to work without a lot of prompting. It's important that you leave the computer alone for a couple of minutes at that point.

Hope that helps!

Still not working? It's possible that there is something different about your specfic BIOS download. You may need to do something further like move the ROM file to the root directory for example. If you want to let me know what machine type you are flashing I'll download the flash and have a look at it.

hardiron · #6 Post by **hardiron** » Wed Jan 12, 2005 3:00 am

Thank you slagmi. But I try on ThinkPad 600 ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mo ... SDIB54.EXE -> still not working

slagmi · #7 Post by **slagmi** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 5:22 pm

Hmm...

I can't download from that link for some reason, sorry.

Try typing at the command prompt uptflsh then a space then the name of the rom file, then press enter.

For example: UPDTFLSH BF549.B12

(sub whatever the name of your actual file is for what I used)

pHuZ · #8 Post by **pHuZ** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 10:32 pm

Should check my other post in this group...

Here is the solution

OK... Here it goes...

I acutally registered to provide this info for all the poor souls wanting to update their Thinkpad 600,600E,600X etc with a dead battery.

Follow the instructions below as I have just updated mine with a dead battery.

*** This is NOT a safe way to update the bios (disclaimer) ***

* First you need to make a BIOS update floppy disk (from the bios file from IBM - place disk in a: drive, run app and answer Y to the agreement) and then format another disk by right clicking on A: - format - make system bootdisk (assuming you have another machine spare)

* Copy all the files from the IBM Boot disk - in my case
$0029000.fl1
$0029000.fl2
FLASH2.EXE
PROD.DAT
UPDTFLSH.EXE
updtrom.exe
USERINT.EXE
UTILINFO.EXE
to the other clean bootdisk.

* Ensure that there is no config.sys and autoexec.bat so it just runs straight into DOS.

* Place the disk into the Laptop, reboot and allow the machine to load via the floppy

* At the command prompt, type "FLASH2.EXE /U" with no quotes then press enter.

The program will automatically search for the files *.FL1 & *.FL2 and load the bios first then the platform file.

The program will automatically update and perform erasing on the rom and then finish with "Update complete".

* Now reboot.

* Hold F1 down as you turn the laptop back on and go into Easy Setup under "Config" click on Initialize to ensure defaults and settings are error free.

* Save and exit...

Man, this has been a pain but after the search and coming across the command line by chance; I could not sit back after success and not share the cure/fix with the rest of the world...

Enjoy

pHuZ

pHuZ · #9 Post by **pHuZ** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 10:34 pm

And just to make sure this is not a dud process, here is a post from this morning:

Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 3:05 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

pHuZ - I followed your instructions and it worked perfectly! Thanks so much. I am glad you found the /U switch.

sickofit · #10 Post by **sickofit** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 9:08 am

Bill....Do you think you could make this process a sticky..???...This topic always comes up,and with the age of the machines now,it is very helpful...

Thanks....

Greg St.L

iolaire · #11 Post by **iolaire** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 11:29 am

I'd just like to add that PhuZ's method worked perfectly for my 600E, using the last BIOS update from the IBM site. I'll add that a good place to get a clean bootdisk for this purpose is bootdisks.com, in particular the following: http://download.sudhian.com/faq/kt7/dow ... dflash.exe

pianowizard · #12 Post by **pianowizard** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 4:45 pm

I tried this method for my TP365X but it didn't work.

Anyway, new batteries on eBay are getting really cheap and I bought one for my 600E recently for only $41. It's much safer to use a laptop with a functional battery and if ~$40 isn't too much for you, you should consider getting one.

gunnerman · #13 Post by **gunnerman** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 2:30 pm

I was curious to know if there is a workaround for the 770ED, I tried this method with it, but it did not work and proceeded to stop updating bios.

I searched everwhere but coudn't seem to find if there was a workaround.

Thanks

noobiecharms · #14 Post by **noobiecharms** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 12:33 am

I tried the "no battery" work around too but it failed with the following error "The FOL function is not enabled". I have no battery nor a floppy drive for my 600E and have to use a bootable CD. I have been trying to get the BIOS updated in order to get XP to install. Any further suggestions or help would be much appreciated!!

warwound · #15 Post by **warwound** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 10:55 pm

noobiecharms wrote:I tried the "no battery" work around too but it failed with the following error "The FOL function is not enabled". I have no battery nor a floppy drive for my 600E and have to use a bootable CD. I have been trying to get the BIOS updated in order to get XP to install. Any further suggestions or help would be much appreciated!!

Well i successfully updated my 600E BIOS to the latest version with a CD.

I made a BIOS update floppy on my desktop PC.
Then i used Nero to create a BIOS update CD-R.
I simply choose to create a CD-ROM(Boot) in Nero and copied all the files from the floppy across to it.
Then in the compilation's Properties i choose to use the boot-sector from the floppy as the boot-sector for my CD.
Burnt it and successfully updated BIOS to latest version - no problems.

I've read in this forum that updating the 600E BIOS from CD is not possible but it worked for me.

If you want some more detailed instructions then let me know.

warwound.

(It'd be easy for someone to create the necessary BIOS update CD and make an ISO image of it - which would save a lot of work for others).

noobiecharms · #16 Post by **noobiecharms** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 12:42 pm

Thanks for the reply Warwound. I use Roxio - maybe the floppy emulation with it is not as good as Nero? I searched high and low for a "FOL function" error and nothing - just references to mathematics etc, nothing for Thinkpads...

Should I try a new CD? I'm somewhat desparate here, but will just reinstall Win98 if "necessary".

Thanks again.

warwound · #17 Post by **warwound** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 1:52 am

Well a quick search on Google shows it's easy to create a bootable CD in Roxio.

From the File menu, select New CD Project, and choose Bootable CD. An option dialog will surface, asking you what kind of boot image you want to use. From the dropdown menu, choose Floppy Emulation - 1.44Mb, and select "Generate Image from Floppy". Press OK, and wait for ages while Roxio generates the image from the disk.

What this will do is start a new project to create a bootable CD.
It'll use the boot loader from the floppy as the boot loader for your bootable CD.
So create your standard BIOS update floppy and - using the above instructions - you're 50% there!
Back to the Roxio project and you simply need to drag/drop ALL the files from the floppy to the project.
You may want to check that no files on the floppy are hidden and get omitted from being added to the project - but i don't recall this being a problem when i made my bootable CD.

So your Roxio project is now complete and ready to burn.
It's a 100% copy of the floppy - boot loader and all files.

Burn it - test that the Thinkpad boots from it.
And that's it!

Alternatively if you want me to create an ISO for a bootable CD then let me know the exact BIOS update that you're planning to use and i'll make an ISO that you can simply burn as an image.

Good luck.

warwound.

noobiecharms · #18 Post by **noobiecharms** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:57 pm

Hey Warwound, thanks again. Sadly I followed your details to a "t" and got the same weird error.

Now the laptop is flying back to the US for 6 more weeks...I told the owner (father-in-law) to go get a battery and get back to me.

So for now, he has a fresh install of Win98 that works...

I really appreciate your help and all the great info in this forum. I have a T42 from my work but hopefully I don't have to do my own tech support on it.

joaomiguelxs · #19 Post by **joaomiguelxs** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 1:01 pm

Thanks warwound,
Your tip helped me through a major ordeal. I was trying to flash my dvdrom sr8171 so it could read dvd-r (read dvd-rom only...)

It really saved the day!

Now I know exactly what to do to circumvent floppy drive installs, bios updates, etc

thuur · #20 Post by **thuur** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:39 pm

slagmi wrote:Worked for me on an A31.

*snip*

Unfortunately this does not work for my 570 2644

When I type flash2 /u it simply states my battery is not full, and yes, the battery is a goner

Any other workarounds, or am I off to eBay buying a new battery?

R,

Chips · #21 Post by **Chips** » Sat May 24, 2008 8:37 am

I've got the exactly the same problem with exactly the same system...

Anyone here who knows how to solve this problem?

hjanzen · #22 Post by **hjanzen** » Sun May 25, 2008 2:51 am

I have succesfully used the "1Byte Hack" method.

It is described on a German Thinkpad Forum and is based on the replacement of one Byte in the updtflsh.exe file using a Hexeditor , thus avoiding the checking of the battery by the Flashprogram.
This is an easy and safe method.
If you are interested let me know and I 'll explain the procedure in detail.

Hans

u.mac · #23 Post by **u.mac** » Tue May 27, 2008 2:15 am

Chips wrote:I've got the exactly the same problem with exactly the same system...

Anyone here who knows how to solve this problem?

Try this (also workaround for 600x)...

boot a clean DOS diskette
change diskette to IBM BIOS updatediskette
then type casesensitive...
flash2.exe /U

Chips · #24 Post by **Chips** » Sat May 31, 2008 5:42 pm

hjanzen wrote:If you are interested let me know and I 'll explain the procedure in detail.

That would be great if you could do that for me!

hjanzen · #25 Post by **hjanzen** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:49 am

OK, here we go:
On the update floppy disk you find a.o. the file updtflsh.exe
Open that file in a hexeditor, scroll down about 7/8 of the text till you see at the far right column the following 3 lines:

pdtrom /np /prep
2 updtrom upd
trom updtrom /np

On the left you have 16 colomns of figures.
The far most left figure in the line "2 updtrom upd" is 32.
That figure represents the figure 2 in the above text.
Now select that figure 2, and replace it by a 1.
On the far left, 32 has become 31 now.
That is all!!
Safe the changes and you are ready to use the hacked floppy to flash the BIOS without a working battery.
If you can read German you may visit the following site:

http://groups.google.de/group/de.comp.s ... um=1&hl=de

This procedure is OK for Thinkpads 770 and 600 series.
I have used it for 770X 770Z, 600E and 600X.
Regards, Hans

Kasm279 · #26 Post by **Kasm279** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 7:43 pm

Sorry to bump an ancient topic, but I have some info about the FOL issue. To get around it, go into the BIOS>Config>Network and enable Flash

Also, the byte hack method works well.

Upgrade 600X bios without battery?

Upgrade 600X bios without battery?

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