BIOS via DOS

[Ermak]

Why is everyone updating BIOS through Vidnovs? It is much more convenient and reliable, like through DOS. I did this. I made a USB bootable USB flash drive through Rufus. I transferred the firmware and phlash16.exe to it. Created command line and updated. I'll show you the video later.

[atagunov]

Why is everyone updating BIOS through Vidnovs?

Hey, bro! Welcome Why do you think everybody is upgrading through Windows? Some people just never upgrade like me %)

[Ermak]

Previously, everything was updated through DOS

I had a situation that I could not enter Windows. And without updating the BIOS, it simply would not be installed.


Here's a video https://youtu.be/n8OcE7bHgL4

[dr_st]

I think it is often the recommendation on these forums to update through DOS, not through Windows (or any other multi-process OS).

If the BIOS update process crashes / hangs, you may end up with a bad BIOS and a bricked system that is very difficult to recover (often requires an external hardware flasher).

Updating through DOS seems less prone to such failures.

[unixed]

When you flash the BIOS using the CD it runs DOS, which is why this is preferable to flashing from Windows. I flash from freedos though, it is safest and environmentally friendly, particularly if you mod your BIOS and so flash a bit more than the bare minimum. I can't view that video since it is set to private.

[Ermak]

I can't view that video since it is set to private.

opened

Does the lenovo T60 have a BIOS for SATA2?

[RealBlackStuff]

No, that only came with the T61/X61/R61 thanks to Middleton.

[unixed]

Does the lenovo T60 have a BIOS for SATA2?

No, that is not a BIOS limitation, iirc the mobile ICH7 chip limits the data throughput. However you can get some of the mods your compatriot Middleton rolled into his -- whitelist disabled so you can choose a better wifi card for that mPCIe slot (courtesy of zender) and with SLIC inserted to facilitate Windows installation from recovery media. A search of this forum or more widely should net you a copy. You may also be interested in researching coreboot/libreboot which plays well with the T60 and can make more RAM available for your programs.

[dr_st]

No, that is not a BIOS limitation, iirc the mobile ICH7 chip limits the data throughput.

Yes.

Fun fact - ICH7 supports SATA2, but ICH7M does not. However - ICH7M supports AHCI, whereas ICH7 does not.