machinetype UNKNOWN-EEPROM write protected

[marcelr]

I think I read all the threads regarding the problem of the UNKNOWN machinetype when using Software Update. I use the HMD tool 1.74 but cannot bypass the EEPROM write protected message. No passwords are set in the BIOS. ESC at the IBM startup screen doesn't work. Can someone help?

[rssb]

How are you using the program ? use a usb floppy drive it should work if nothing else is set

[GomJabbar]

There is a setting in the BIOS to Enable or Disable flashing of the BIOS. This is in the Security menu.

If you select "Enabled," all users can update the Flash BIOS. If you select "Disabled," only the person who knows supervisor password can update the Flash BIOS.

[marcelr]

- The setting is ENABLED > doesn't help
- all passwords which can be set in BIOS are disabled
- I use HMD 1.74, download it, made a bootable floppy on my desktop, made with Nero from the floppy a bootable CD
- My T42 boots from CD, opens HMD but then gives the EEPROM write protected message.
- ESC when IBM logo is on screen won't work. Has this something to do with BIOS settings, or is the timing of hitting ESC important?

[GomJabbar]

Christian reports how he did it in this thread. If the program normally writes something back to the floppy that might be a problem, as it couldn't write to the CD.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?p=84592#84592

[marcelr]

Fixed! I bought a usb floppy drive and used the floppy. Now ESC to pass EEPROM write protection worked and I could add the S/N.
Thanks for the help. So it was the bootable CD which didn't work.

[GomJabbar]

I have read of others flashing their BIOS (doing a BIOS upgrade) by using the floppy version and creating a bootable CD from it. You are the first I have read that tried to do this with the Hardware Maintenance Disk.

I'm glad you got your problem solved. Thanks for reporting back your experience. I will file this away for a future day.