PLEASE HELP!!! CATCH 22 with Bios upgrade

[tzahi]

Hi, I have a X21 with XP.
my Bios is 2.12 and Embedded controller is 1.27.

I really need to update my bios version to fix some bugs, but
the problem is the recent versions demand a recent version
of the controller, and vice versa.

Therefore the only thing I can do is update them both on the same time, which is not possible for me since I don't have a floppy on this laptop.

I thought doing the update step by step to version 1.29 but it's not available....

Any ideas????

[jdhurst]

Embedded controller comes in a non-diskette version (at least does so for my T41). So download both files (BIOS and EC). Run EC first, let the machine reboot, then run the BIOS. The instructions say (somewhere, sometime) to do the EC first. And this order most assuredly works with the diskette files on my ThinkPad. ... JD Hurst

[domi]

Hi, I have a X21 with XP.
my Bios is 2.12 and Embedded controller is 1.27.
I really need to update my bios version to fix some bugs, but
the problem is the recent versions demand a recent version
of the controller, and vice versa.

Why don't you use the Software Installer? It should take care of everything.

[tzahi]

my problem...

This BIOS version will only work with Embedded Controller Program Version 1.36 (or higher). See links above to obtain the latest Embedded Controller file.

This version of the Embedded Controller program will only work with the BIOS 2.22 (or higher).

(remember my bios ver is 2.12 and controller ver is 1.27)

I cannot use non-diskette version because it updates the bios and the controller one by one, and they have to be updated TOGETHER (since one cannot be loaded without the new version of the other)

therefore I need some way to update them together, the only way I know of is by DOS boot, but I don't have a diskette drive.

still any ideas???

[domi]

my problem...
I cannot use non-diskette version because it updates the bios and the controller one by one, and they have to be updated TOGETHER (since one cannot be loaded without the new version of the other)

The Software Installer knows the dependencies and it will install things in the right order. If needed, it will perform incremental upgrades (ie. not go directly from your old BIOS/EC version to the latest one).

therefore I need some way to update them together, the only way I know of is by DOS boot, but I don't have a diskette drive.

Even with a diskette, you can't update them both together. You'll still have to install them one at a time (and reboot in-between).

still any ideas???

Yes, use the [censored] Software Installer!

[jdhurst]

There is no black magic here.

With diskettes, you install EC first, BIOS second (IBM documentation)
With non-diskettes, you do it the same way.
Software Installer does it in the above order using non-diskette versions.

You simply have to install one before the other. You do it in the right order (works) or wrong order (take your chances). There is no third way.
... JD Hurst