how do I find BIOS version on 600 (2645-45U)

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malahal · #1 Post by **malahal** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 2:02 am

I recently bought a PII-300MHz 2645-45U ibm thinkpad. The latest BIOS seems to be (1.22 version, IBET54WW). When I went to "Easy-Setup, Config, SystemBoard" indicates BIOS version as 1.31, but the latest is supposed to be 1.22!

The following IBM page says I need to wait until it says 'press F1' to enter BIOS utilities, but I never get that message. I was holding F1 from the start and it goes to 'Easy-Setup'.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... SHY-3VRJPK

I have a feeling that I have very old BIOS.

Rob Mayercik · #2 Post by **Rob Mayercik** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:48 am

It took a minute to find the passage you're referring to, but I think that refers to the utility on the SPSD diskette, and not the BIOS on the computer. That utility may be offering you a way of viewing the BIOS version without actually going into Easy Setup.

By the way, "Easy Setup" IS the BIOS, and holding F1 while powering on the machine is the correct way to access it. It should show a version somewhere on the first or second screen you see.

As to the 1.31, that may be the version number of a subcomponent of the BIOS. 1.22 may be just an overall version number, and some of the pieces (such as IDE controller, sound, PCI, etc) may have their own version numbers as well.

For example, think about all the DLLs and VXDs in Windows - each one has its own version number, even though they may be part of Windows 95 4.00.150B, DirectX 9.0, or so on.

Even the latest BIOS for a -45U is going to be a bit old, but consider that that particular model was offered back in 1998 (an age ago in Computer terms). Nonetheless, IBET54WW is the version you want on there, as it will ensure that pretty much anything you want to do will be supported (60GB or larger hard drive, more advanced optical drive, etc).

Good luck with your new machine - with a little luck, it'll be as solid a performer for you as mine is for me.

Rob

#3 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 9:09 am

malahal wrote:I recently bought a PII-300MHz 2645-45U ibm thinkpad. The latest BIOS seems to be (1.22 version, IBET54WW). When I went to "Easy-Setup, Config, SystemBoard" indicates BIOS version as 1.31, but the latest is supposed to be 1.22!

The following IBM page says I need to wait until it says 'press F1' to enter BIOS utilities, but I never get that message. I was holding F1 from the start and it goes to 'Easy-Setup'.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... SHY-3VRJPK

I have a feeling that I have very old BIOS.

Just make sure that you are reading the proper number. Note that BIOS diskette version 1.02 is BIOS version ibet31ww. The BIOS Easy Setup menu will list the BIOS version, not the diskette version. If this is the version that you have, it is indeed a very old version.

When you upgrade, make sure you have the latest slave controller update as well.

With Windows XP at least, you can go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Information to get the BIOS version number.

Laptop_wizard · #4 Post by **Laptop_wizard** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 11:07 am

No thinkpad version post "Press F1" Other brands do but not thinkpad.

malahal · #5 Post by **malahal** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 11:45 am

Thanks for the replies. I have Linux Fedora Core4 on it. No windows XP! From the 'Easy-Setup' menu how do I find what I have is the latest BIOS or not.

I am planning to upgrade my hard disk. Also, it has 128MB (PC66) and 64MB (PC100) memory modules, but it shows instaled memory of (32+128+64) MB but usable only 196MB. Looks like it is taking only HALF of the last 64MB module. Can this be 'cause of old BIOS or 'cause PC100 type memory? Somewhere I heard that some old laptops only use HALF from the second module.

Thanks in advance for all the replies.

Rob Mayercik · #6 Post by **Rob Mayercik** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 8:00 am

As I mentioned, the BIOS version should show up on one of the first screens you see when entering Easy-Setup. Offhand, I don't know which, and I don't have my laptop handy to check.

As to the memory, this "half of the second module" does seem to be occurring lately, but I haven't had this issue. I got lucky - I bought a pair of 128mb PC133 modules, and I have the entire 288mb (including the built-in 32mb) available. Part of that luck was the guy allowing me to install it in the machine in front of him and boot up before I committed to buying - guess that's a possible benefit of going through one of those computer show memory dealers.

I've also heard that on systems that need PC66, PC100 isn't always too cooperative. Try to stay with PC66, or see if you can test-drive some PC133 (since 133 is about 2x66).

Is there any chance of your getting your hands on another of the 128mb PC66 modules and trying it to see if you can get to 288?

Rob

Laptop_wizard · #7 Post by **Laptop_wizard** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:44 am

As to the memory, this "half of the second module" does seem to be occurring lately, but I haven't had this issue. I got lucky - I bought a pair of 128mb PC133 modules, and I have the entire 288mb (including the built-in 32mb) available.

Really? do you have PC133 modual's in your thinkpad 600?
I thought it only took up to PC100 (low density)

When you boot up and hold F1 look at the bottom of that screen, it will display the CPU type and speed, and the BIOS version.

Your current BUS speed is 66MHz if you had a 600E the Motherboard will bring the PC100 memory down to 66MHz the 600 is not really advanced enough to do that. You kneed A BIOS update with PC66 memory.
The BUS is what writes to the RAM.

Hope that helps.

Regards.

malahal · #8 Post by **malahal** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 12:48 pm

Well, I have IBM 600 (NO E or X) model 2645-45U.
The first screen I get is "Easy Setup", and it has the following information apart from 'Config', 'Date/Time', 'Password', etc. subsections:

BIOS part number, Date 97H4147, 09/25/98
System-unit serial number xxxxxxxx
System board serial number xxxxxxxx
Microprocessor Pentium II Processor 300MHz
UUID xxxxxxxx

Anyway, I don't see any BIOS [diskette] version anywhere on the sceen.

Anyone else has this exact model and can get the BIOS information from the 'Easy-Setup'?

whizkid · #9 Post by **whizkid** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:07 pm

According to this page: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... SHY-3VRJPK, your BIOS version is 1.05 or ibet35ww, and the current version is 1.22 or ibet54WW.

Your BIOS is badly out of date. The second-to-last version also seems to have a fix for hangs during memory detection in Linux.

#10 Post by **GomJabbar** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 11:33 pm

whizkid wrote:According to this page: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... SHY-3VRJPK, your BIOS version is 1.05 or ibet35ww, and the current version is 1.22 or ibet54WW.

Your BIOS is badly out of date. The second-to-last version also seems to have a fix for hangs during memory detection in Linux.

Slick!

I see you got the BIOS version from the date. I didn't really think about that.

Rob Mayercik · #11 Post by **Rob Mayercik** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 7:21 am

Laptop_wizard wrote:Really? do you have PC133 modual's in your thinkpad 600?
I thought it only took up to PC100 (low density)

Yes - been running them for about a year now. They work like a charm.

However, since PC133 isn't exactly a match for the factory specs for a 600, I maintain that individual results are likely to vary. I have a feeling, though, that the right PC133 (accounting for density, for example) just might be more palatable to a 600 than PC100.

Rob

Rob Mayercik · #12 Post by **Rob Mayercik** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 6:53 am

Ok, I popped the cover last night and took a look at my memory modules.

Of course, I forgot to bring the paper I wrote the information down on (*sigh*), but I do remember a couple of things that I'll pass on now (I'll get the rest tonight):

It IS PC133, and the modules have 4 chips on each side. (Does this mean it's low density?)

There was no manufacturer name that I could find, either on the sticker where most of the information was, or the module itself (I pulled out one and checked both sides).

Once I get home, I'll get the rest of the information up here - maybe someone will be able to put a name to this mystery memory.

Rob

how do I find BIOS version on 600 (2645-45U)

how do I find BIOS version on 600 (2645-45U)

Re: how do I find BIOS version on 600 (2645-45U)

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