This ThinkPad System Program Service Diskette updates the BIOS program stored in the ThinkPad system to fix problems, add new functions, or expand functions as noted below.
Important notice: Previously released BIOS versions and EC version 1.05 combination may cause a variety of keyboard issues as noted below. To fix, update the EC - 1.06(1YHT29WW). Notes: - This version of the BIOS will only work with Embedded Controller Program Version 1.06 (or higher). The Embedded Controller Program (H8 controller firmware) is available in an additional package, a link is provided below. - If you need to update the Embedded Controller Program as well as the update BIOS first.
Version 1YET65WW (1.29) Note: This BIOS version will only work with Embedded Controller Program Version 1.06 (or higher).
(New) When a system boots with a USB memory key installed, even if the system does not boot to the USB memory key, a DOS drive letter is assigned to a FAT partition. On the previous version of BIOS, the DOS drive letter was assigned only when the system booted from a USB memory key.
Remove the Power-on password prior to updating the system program (BIOS) in RDM (Remote Deployment Manager) environment or similar environment.
You need an AC adapter and a charged battery pack to update the system program (BIOS).
If your system is attached to any kind of docking station or port replicator, turn off the system and detach it before proceeding.
Make sure the System Program Service Diskette is write-protected.
Print these instructions or display on another system.
Firmly connect the AC adapter to the system.
Insert the System Program Service Diskette into the diskette drive and turn on the system.
Select Read this first... from the menu and carefully read the information that appears.
Press the Esc key to return to the menu.
Select Update system program and follow the instruction on the screen. Note: If you are updating the system program through the external diskette drive (USB type), it will take quite a long time to complete reading the system program file, but it is normal. Continue the update.
Attention: Do not turn off or suspend the system until the update has been completed. If you turn off or suspend the system while the update is still in progress, the system board may have to be replaced.
After the update has been completed, the system is automatically turned off.
Do the following to make sure the BIOS is updated correctly.
Make sure there is no diskette in the diskette drive, then turn off the system.
While the "To interrupt normal startup, press the blue Access IBM button" message is displayed at the lower-left of the screen, press the Access IBM button.
Select Start setup utility. If you have set a supervisor password, the BIOS Setup Utility menu appears after you type in the password. The BIOS version and date are displayed on the first screen of the BIOS Setup Utility.
Verify the BIOS version.
Turn off the system.
Initializing the BIOS
BIOS Initialization is suggested for some problems. To initialize the BIOS settings:
Turn off the system.
Make sure there is no diskette in the diskette drive.
Turn on the system.
While the To interrupt normal startup, press the blue Access IBM button message is displayed at the lower-left area of the screen, press the Access IBM button.
Double-click Start setup utility. The BIOS Setup Utility menu will be displayed. If you have set a supervisor password, the BIOS Setup Utility menu appears after you enters the password.
Press the F9 key to load default configuration.
Select Yes.
Press the F10 key to save default configuration and exit.
Select Yes.
Notes:
After initialization you may need to re-apply some settings that you had changed previously.
After the initialization has been completed, the system restarts automatically.
BIOS information
Each version of the System Program Service Diskette contains the following system program (BIOS). The BIOS Version and the date as well as the Embedded controller version number can be viewed by running ThinkPad Configurator from your operating system and selecting the System Information button or by invoking the BIOS Setup Utility.
Make sure there is no diskette in the diskette drive, then turn off the system.
Turn on the system.
While the To interrupt normal startup, press the blue Access IBM button message is displayed at the lower-left of the screen, press the Access IBM button.
Select Start setup utility. If you have set a supervisor password, the BIOS Setup Utility menu appears after you type in the password. The BIOS version and date are displayed on the first screen of the BIOS Setup Utility.
Check the BIOS Version and Embedded Controller Version.
The following information shows memory areas that are either unavailable or that can be included with a memory manager such as EMM386.
Reserved BIOS area
C0000-CFFFF reserved for Video BIOS
D0000-D3FFF reserved for Option ROM of Ethernet (*1)
DC000-DFFFF reserved for USB BIOS (*2)
E0000-FFFFF reserved for BIOS
Notes:
(*1) This area becomes free by disabling the Internal Network Option ROM option under Config and Network in the BIOS Setup Utility. This choice will disable PXE and WOL features.
(*2) This area becomes free by disabling the USB BIOS Support option under Config and USB in the BIOS Setup Utility. This choice does not affect using USB devices in Windows operating systems.
Usable Area
The following memory address can be used by the memory manager such as EMM386.
D4000-DBFFF
Note: Certain addresses in this area will be reserved for CardBus Controllers or others by Operating Systems. The addresses vary and depend on the design of each Operating System.
Restrictions
For ThinkPad T43/p
Passwords can be set with passphrase feature but this is only supported in Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows XP only. Windows NT 4.0 and OS/2 are not supported.
