Force a BIOS update

[mixz1]

T61p 6459 CTO. After the second system board swap for the NVIDIA problem the new system board did not contain the model number and serial number. The repair technician was unable to use the latest Hardware Maintenance Disk to enter the information, so he took the machine away for a day and returned it the following day. The correct information was now in the BIOS. He said they had to reflash the BIOS to get the HMD to work.

It is now 2 months later and I tried to use the 1394 port on the machine and discovered that it not only doesn't work, it doesn't appear in the BIOS at all, yet the hardware is obviously there, at least as far as the connector is concerned.

I am trying to reflash my BIOS in an effort to wake up the 1394 port, but the utility informs me that I already have the latest BIOS image. Is there a way to force this, or do I have to file yet another warranty request? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[RealBlackStuff]

What is the 7-character T61 model/type number? If CTO, give more specs, like what CPU, GPU, BT, 1394 etc.
What is the part# or FRU of the motherboard?
What are the BIOS and ECP versions?
Maybe they flashed the wrong BIOS?

[richk]

You looked in the BIOS under security/i-o port access?

[mixz1]

You looked in the BIOS under security/i-o port access?

Indeed, I did. It's not there.