This ThinkPad BIOS Update Utility updates the BIOS program stored in the ThinkPad system to fix problems, add new functions, or expand functions as noted below.
The supported operating systems are as follows: - Microsoft Windows 2000 - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 6a or later - Microsoft Windows XP (Home Edition and Professional)
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 BIOS, 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.
You need an AC adapter and a charged battery pack to update the system program.
If your system is attached to any kind of port replicator, turn off the system and detach it before proceeding.
If a USB Diskette Drive is attached to your system, turn off the system and detach it before proceeding.
Remove the Power-on password prior to updating the BIOS in RDM (Remote Deployment Manager) environment or similar environment.
Print these instructions or display on another system.
Firmly connect the AC adapter to the system.
Start a supported version of Windows on the target system. For Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP, logon with administrative privileges on the target system.
Make the temporary directory on the hard drive (for instance, C:\Temp)
Download the ThinkPad BIOS Update Utility from the web site and store the file into the temporary directory.
Click the Start button, then click Run.
In the Open dialog box, specify the utility filename with the full path name where you stored ThinkPad BIOS Update Utility (e.g. C:\Temp\1YUJ17US.EXE) and then press the Enter key. Note: For unattended update, specify the file name with options "-s -a -s". (e.g. C:\Temp\1YUJ17US.EXE -s -a -s) The BIOS is updated without any user interaction.
Follow the instructions on the screen.
Depending on the operating system configuration, restarting the operating system and rerunning this BIOS update utility may be required. In this case, the following message will appear on the screen. "DeviceIoControl() returns 2 Please restart your operating system and execute the BIOS or Embedded Controller update utility again."
Windows will shut down automatically and ThinkPad BIOS Update Utility screen appears.
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.
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.
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.
BIOS Initialization is suggested for some problems. To initialize the BIOS settings:
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 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 reapply some settings that you had changed previously.
After the initialization has been completed, the system restarts automatically.
Each version of the ThinkPad BIOS Update Utility contains the following system program (BIOS). The BIOS Version and the date can be viewed by running ThinkPad Configuration from your operating system and selecting the System Information button or by invoking the BIOS Setup Utility.
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 conventional memory addresses are reserved by BIOS and others.
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 System BIOS
Notes:
(*1) This area becomes free by disabling the Internal Network Option ROM option under Config and Network in BIOS Setup Utility
(*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
But 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.
