Having some problems with my X41t with Vista

[lakersgo]

I can't update the embedded controller with the 1.02 this page suggests: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... E-3VAM8Y#x

my system is currently using Bios 2.06 (the latest according the that same page) but I keep getting "DeviceIoControl returns 24" error message. Sometimes it's "returns 4: or "returns 2"....either way, I can't understand why it doesn't update.

I've updated vista to SP2 and all the updates available from windows updates. I am having some trouble with the optical drive on the docking station not reading disc and speaker (on X41t, not docking station) making very high, unpleasant screeching noise.

I've done a lot of reading before posting this questions. Please guide me to the right direction. Thank you.

Oh btw, there is an unknown device in the device manager.

[Temetka]

I wish I could help you with the integrated controller issue, but mine updated just fine.

However I bet you unidentified device is the Atmel TPM controller. If you check the device id's for it, it should list a chip / vendor name.

[lakersgo]

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x34/ ... TM1100.jpg

Yes, u r right, it's the ATM whatever controller it is.

I've successfully installed the driver from lenovo, http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 58054.html. No more unknown device, thank you.

Now, can anyone help me update the embedded controller to 1.02? It's currently at 1.0

[Temetka]

Here is a thread on the forums here where another user had roughly the same problem:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=86306

If you have access to a USB floppy drive I would go ahead and try that.

[lakersgo]

I am not sure if this old machine is still worth the hussle, I tried everything in my power, still can't get the EC to update to 1.02. And no, I don't have a usb floppy drive.

The tablet screen buttons didn't work until ThinkAdvantage was installed. Hate to have to install this as it duplicates a lot of Vista functions.

I am getting very noisy screeeeeeeeeeching sound from tablet speaker! I had to mute to get rid of the noise.

The optical drive in docking station seems to be very weak. It refuses to read most of my discs, including genuine, authentic microsoft windows and office discs.

I've always held Thinkpad in very high regard but the screeching noise and semi-malfuctioned optical drive really have me baffled. What a bummer.


Btw, Temetka, it looks like we both have the 1867 Model, mine is J11, how about urs?

[Temetka]

My X41T is a CTO option, meaning it was a customised build and not a pre-configured one. I got it used so I have no idea what was customised on it.

As far as your optical drive is concerned have you tried blowing out with some compressed air? Alternatively you can get a cue tip and very gently rub it over the lens to clean is from dirt and smudges. It might help to improve how it reads discs. Other than that I would suggest replacing it with an ultrabay dvs burner.

Is vista the only operating system installed on your laptop? I ask because the update software doesn't work under Vista or 7, as you've discovered. You could also try a very roundabout method of creating a WinPE or BartPE disc, then running the update software from there.

[lakersgo]

If I may make a contribution to this board, here is how I solved the audio problem.

The driver Windows Update or System Update installed didn't work very well in Vista. I had to install the XP driver via Device Manager to solve the problem. I guess part of the problem is that I can't get the embedded controller to update so the newer driver didn't work. I thought this could have been a hardware issue, glad I was wrong.

[Temetka]

Glad to hear you got that working.

[lakersgo]

Update:

I finally got everything to work now. I no longer rely on XP audio driver, the Vista driver works just as well. Weird, I guess it wasn't installed correctly the first time up.

The company sent me another X4 dock and the optical drive in it works this time. Out of curiosity, I took both drives out, the new one has FRU P/N: 13N6769 ASM P/N: 13N6768, the old one has FRU P/N: 13N6771 ASM P/N: 13N6770. Does anyone knows the difference between these two? Both fit the dock but only the new drive works, I guess that's probably the biggest difference.