2010 BIOS beep revisited

[tim S]

When I started using a CF card and adapter in my X41, I thought I could live with the really annoying beep
and delay while the BIOS made it's mind up as to whether my drive setup was acceptable or not!
Now I definately can't, especially since the beep can be very loud, sometimes loud enough to give me a start.
Luckily the BIOS page in IBM's 'Device Drivers' shows the different BIOS's from the first to the latest and
it turns out that the original BIOS, is the only one without the HD check. I flashed my newest BIOS back to
version 1.00 and now no beep or delay.
However I did feel the OS, in this case Kubuntu 9.04, became a little 'shakey', for want of a better word, so I
formatted the card and reinstalled the OS and now it's fine. Windows XP on another card, didn't seem to care
about the BIOS change and it's fine as is.
Short of somebody recompiling the newer BIOS's, this method seems to be the only work around.
Of course retro-flashing might not be OK for everyone but it worked well for me, so far.
Tim S

[Investinwaffles]

Is there a negative to running an early version of the bios? Re-formatting windows after of course...

[davidspalding]

On my T43, the hardware beep is related to the hardware volume setting. I usually set it at 3-4, as occasionally TPFANCTRL will beep, and I like those to be quiet.

[tim S]

I haven't found any major problems after regressing my BIOS to version 1.
As I said Windows shows no difference and Kubuntu Hardy and Jaunty on hard
drives are fine as well. Kubuntu on an Extereme III CF card exhibits a slight frame loss
(skips) when I play a DVD, otherwise it's fine.
Luckily there is a full explanation of the newer BIOSes on the Lenovo site, so
if there is some feature on the newer versions you need, then this method is
a no go.
As to the beep volume, it is possible to lower the overall system volume but it's
just another thing to remember to do. Nine time out or ten I'd forget and wham
loud beeps. I don't miss the delay while all this goes on either!
Tim S