New BIOS Available For R61, T61 & T61P

Just thought I'd make everyone aware a new BIOS has become available for the R61, T61 & T61P.

I especially like the "fix" that increases HD transfer rate.

It looks to be a must have update. Here is the changelog taken from the available readme:

==========

CHANGES IN THIS RELEASE
Version 1.26-1.06

[Important updates]
Nothing.

[New functions or enhancements]
- (Intel video models only) A design change that the screen is set to
extended desktop mode with an external display and "When I close the
lid of my portable computer" option in the power option is set to
"Do nothing", and when the lid is closed;
(Old) The extended display mode is canceled and video output is
switched to the external display only, so icons on the desktop
will be moved.
(New) The extended display mode is kept and video output is not
switched, so icons on the desktop are not moved.
- Function enhancement of capturing the BIOS configuration information
on the computer by BIOS Settings Capture/Playback Utility.

[Problem fixes]
- The data transfer rate of hard drive is slow in SATA AHCI mode.
- The computer may hang at the power-on if device configuration is
changed in the BIOS Setup immediately after resuming normal
operation from hibernation mode.
- An error may occur at the power-on after ThinkPad BIOS Settings
for Windows runs and then the computer goes into hibernation mode.
- WMIMGMT.MSC fails to read properties on Windows 2000.
- (ThinkPad T61/T61p only) Volume and mute buttons on the keyboard do
not work on Linux.
- (ThinkPad R61 only) Removed Intel AMT menu from the BIOS Setup : The
Intel AMT menu is shown in the BIOS Setup on some models although
the Intel AMT feature is not supported.

 

Anychance of a link

 

I think this is the link.

 

Thanks for that

 

No problem. It's really easy to find stuff for your T61. Go here and select your model.

 

I know I was just being a bit lazy! Installed, seems to be working a treat

 

Looking forward to try this when I go home tonight.

 

Anyone notice a speed up on hd access??

 

i currently do not have any problems; is it even worth upgrading..or to maybe risk new problems? any one have any opinions on this? thanks

 

You don't usually risk having more problems.

 

i've had many bsod's and freezes due to turbo mem when i first got my comp; now i finally managed to get it stabilized and didn't want to risk any more problems...im def a bit more wary now with any new update

 

BIOS shouldn't interfere with your Turbo Memory whatsoever and if it does you can always just downgrade back to the previous safely.

As far as a BIOS upgrade being risky, just ensure your battery is at 100% and that your computer is plugged into the wall.

Finally once it starts, just let it do it. Don't interfere, don't do anything until it finishes!

P.S. I'm not positive how big of an improvement the HD Transfer Speeds are with the new BIOS, I don't get my T61P until this Friday...

 

^^^^ i just ended up disabling my turbo mem driver so I don't even use it; also disabled APS; system has been stable since

i have no complaints regarding hd transfer speeds; So i think i will pass on this update. this is the 3rd time they have updated it in 4 mo...so ill just wait for a significant release

 

eyecon82: Have you tried disabling the Windows Hybrid Hard Disk Power Saving option? That solved my Turbo Memory problems (computer freezing while on battery). See the following link: http://forum.tabletpcreview.com/showthread.php?t=8359&page=15

 

thank you!

Let me ask you this please: so you had turbo memory and had constant freezes? and by disabling this hybrid hard disk power saving, are you able to keep your Active protection system and turbo mmemory enabled and not have any freezes or bsod's? Thank you!

 

Yes. Before, when running on battery & resuming from sleep or hibernation, the computer would freeze within a minute. After making this change, I have not had a single freeze. Make sure you change the setting in all the power management profiles you use.

 

would you be able to comment on how power saving in hybrid discs is related to APS? and just wanted to confirm that you still have readyboost and readydrive enabled along with APS?

I'm so happy...i may actually be able to use the turbo mem i paid $50 extra for and use APS and not worry about ruining my hd when moving it while running WITHOUT HAVING FREEZES AND BSODS!

 

I don't think the problem is really related to APS. I have readyboost, readydrive and APS enabled on my T61. It's been working fine for several weeks. I hope this fixes the problem for everyone else too. I think it will.

 

well before disabling the hybrid drive; the problem was with aps and turbo memory interacting when hard disc was stopped; therefore, writing to something that didn't exist since hd was stopped--which i am assuming at this point is caused by a failure in the hybrid disc software

my fix to all these problems was just to disable turbo memory and aps. i had to disable both to get my system stable

but i was kind of pissed because im not using hardware i paid $50 extra for and my HD was prone to damage since APS had to be disabled

so hopefully i can activate these 2 again and just disable the hybrid thing and not have any freezes or bsod's