This ThinkPad BIOS Update Utility updates the BIOS (system program) stored in the ThinkPad system to fix problems, add new functions, or expand functions as noted below.
This release supports the following system: - ThinkPad G41
The supported operating systems are as follows: - Microsoft Windows 2000 - Microsoft Windows XP (Home Edition and Professional)
Use the links below to obtain BIOS files in other file formats:
Remove the Power-on password prior to updating the 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.
If a USB Diskette Drive is attached to your system, turn off the system and detach it before proceeding.
If your system is attached to any kind of expansion device, turn off the system and detach it before proceeding.
Print these instructions or display on another system.
Firmly connect the AC adapter to the system.
Start Microsoft Windows 2000/XP and 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 Start and then click Run.
In the Open dialog box, specify the utility filename with the full path name where you stored ThinkPad BIOS Update Utility. (For example: C:\Temp\1xuj15us.exe) Then click OK.
Follow the instructions. Depending on the operating system configuration, restarting 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 instructions 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.
Unattended install
Do the same instructions above from step 1 to step 6.
Specify filename with the full path name where you stored ThinkPad BIOS Update Utility with options -s -a -s. (E.g. C:\Temp\1xuj15us.EXE -s -a -s) Then press the Enter key. Windows will shutdown automatically and the system BIOS program will be updated without any user interaction.
Initializing BIOS
In some cases, it may be a good idea to try BIOS initialization when you have some troubles. To initialize the BIOS settings:
Make sure there is no diskette in the diskette drive, 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 F1 key. The BIOS Setup Utility menu will be displayed. If a password prompt appears, type the correct password.
Press the F9 key to load default configuration.
Select Yes.
Press the F10 key to save default configuration and exit.
Select Yes. After the initialization has been completed, the system restarts automatically.
BIOS information
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 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 F1 key. The BIOS Setup Utility menu will be displayed. If a password prompt appears, type the correct password.
Check BIOS Version.
Turn off the system.
Note: The BIOS version and date are displayed on the first screen of the BIOS Setup Utility.
The following conventional memory addresses are reserved by the system program (BIOS) and others
Reserved BIOS Area
nVidia Graphic models
C0000-CFFFF (reserved for Video BIOS)
D0000-D27FF (reserved for Option ROM of Ethernet) Note: This area is free when the Internal Network Option ROM is disabled in the BIOS Setup Utility
DC000-DFFFF (reserved for USB BIOS) Note: This area is free when USB BIOS is disabled in the BIOS Setup Utility
E0000-FFFFF (reserved for BIOS).
Other models
C0000-CC7FF (reserved for Video BIOS)
CC800-CEFFF (reserved for Option ROM of Ethernet) Note: This area is free when the Internal Network Option ROM is disabled in the BIOS Setup Utility
DC000-DFFFF (reserved for USB BIOS) Note: This area is free when USB BIOS is disabled in the BIOS Setup Utility
E0000-FFFFF (reserved for BIOS).
Usable Area
The following memory address can be used by the memory manager such as EMM386.
D2800-DBFFF (nVidia Graphic Model)
CF000-DBFFF (Other Model)
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
Passwords can be set with the passphrase feature, however, that feature is supported by Windows 2000 and Windows XP only.