T61/X61 SATA II 1.5 Gb/s cap - willing to pay for a solution

ok thanks for answer.

 

Is there any way I can update the BIOS without having a battery? I was given a lenovo r61i which came with a measly t5450 cpu and without a laptop battery. I'm trying to upgrade to a T8300, which in hindsight I should have done more research about merom cpus. Unfortunately the update program will not run WITHOUT a battery. Is there a workaround for this?

 

I'd advise against such workarounds...you can pick up a barely working battery for $10 and it will do just fine.

Not to mention the fact that the CPU will not run at full speed - Middleton's BIOS or not - on these machines unless a working battery is present.

Good luck.

 

Found it, bios didn't flash because flashing of lan was disabled, dont know you i had to enable it. But it worked. 229MB/s Read and 222MB/s write.

 

for those who have had problems even if you have all the settings right in the bios some of the dvdrw just wouldn't work. I've done 10+ now All I did was swap a different dvdrw and it flashed fine.

 

I see. I do plan on getting a battery, I just wanted to know if I could just get this laptop running with the faster CPU prior to getting a battery.

Anyway, I'm not sure if this is still related to having NO battery, but when I use the bootable ISO to update the BIOS, it tells me that this already has the latest BIOS version and prevents me from flashing. While the bootable ISO does detect the lack of a battery, it still loads the BIOS update program and allows me to attempt a BIOS update.

Therefore, my next question is, how can I force the bootable ISO to update the BIOS? What is the command, since I am able to get a C:> prompt in the bootable ISO?


Thanks for the help ajkula66!

I've attempted to contact the ebay seller who sold me the T8300, but no reply yet. If this doesn't pan out, then I'll just have to try and sell this chip at a loss and buy a T7700 merom cpu.

 

I don't believe that there is one.

Well, try obtaining a battery first. I've never had an issue flashing Middleton's BIOS even if the matching Lenovo version was already installed.

I'd advise against a T7700, though...these run quite hot.

4GB of RAM and SSD are the best upgrades for these machines. CPUs are really far less important, not to mention the fact that you can pick up a T7300 for $5 or so...

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the advice once again.

I will return the T8300, get a battery and then upgrade the CPU. When I upgrade my Lenovo Y510P's SSD, which is currently a 240gig, to a 1TB with Christmas money, that SSD will go into the lenovo laptop.

 

HI!
Why i can't download ?

 

Hi Guys,
First of all many thanks for creating this Bios Version for T61, It would be a pitty if such a nice laptop would not work with SSD drives.

I have updates the bios to 2.29-1.08 but cannot find any improvment, unfortunately.
Computer works with the same read/write speed as previosly (about 100-110 mb/s). Am i doing something wrong?

What is more interesting HDD is being recognised as SATA3.


Many thanks for suport.

 

Hi, I got 'CPU hash data is not correct' error when WINUPTP.EXE flashing new bios, Cloud you give me some suggestions？thanks very much, please see details below.

T61
CPU: T9300
Current BIOS: 2.28 official
OS: Windows xp.
Error message:
CPU hash data is not correct.
The utility process has not completed.

 

^^^^^^^^

Welcome to the forum!

Try flashing the BIOS from a bootable CD instead.

Good luck.

 

Hi All,

Many thanks to middleton and everyone who has contributed to this wonderful product over these years.

A few questions still left after reading all 112 pages of the thread:

1) Related to the fan operation pattern:

> The newer BIOS images from Lenovo revises how the fan works, which makes it run more often when it doesn't need to.

Could anyone please provide more details on it applicable to X61s, i.e. starting from which (stock) X61s BIOS version the fan runs more often? I happened to find an older Middleton BIOS v2.21-103 w/o Dual-IDA in the name and am wondering if flashing it instead of v2.22-103 keeps fan behaviour intact (actually as per some other post here v2.22-103 is based on stock BIOS v2.21 anyway, so unsure if there's a real difference between the two despite different versions in their filenames) The fan sound is not particularly what I like most about my X61s especially multiplied by years and years of using it, so I'm unsure I'm that willing to have SATA II speeds at the expense of having any more of that sound, at least until I feel enough pain from my Intel X25-M SSD being capped at SATA I speed )

2) Do I get it right that it's better (if not critical) to copy Middleton BIOS files into a directory at the USB stick rather than into its root as one might think, particularly to avoid overwriting FreeDOS's command.com, and cd into it for flashing? I didn't notice it clearly mentioned in the howto, which just says "copy the files from .iso onto the USB stick".

3) Although this has little to do with the subject of this thread, creating bootable FreeDOS USB stick resulted in just 3 system files written into it virtually immediately (namely command.com 92KB, IO.SYS 218KB, MSDOS.SYS 0KB) despite there are a lot more files in win98boot.zip (about 670KB). I can still boot from it and get C:\>. How can I ensure that my FreeDOS installation is good enough for flashing once I add Middleton BIOS files onto the stick? It'd be great if someone who successfully flashed their X61s could upload a snapshot with the way their USB stick filesystem with FreeDOS and this BIOS looks: that'd eliminate any further similar queries from new members like me.

4) Could anyone still flashing various ThinkPad models from time to time please upload MD5 checksums of the files published on page 8?


Many thanks in advance,

Dmitriy

 

I always try to flash with a CD, I have done it with an x61s using an ultrabase, I think I've done others with a bootable usb drive using an HP utility, then I used a 1.44mb floppy usb drive and copied the formatted dos files from there to the usb drive, booted the usb drive and ran the program. It's been so long, and I remember it much easier to just buy an ultrabase so I could flash my tablets via CD instead of doing this.

 

Another question besides my 4 questions above: what's the difference between executing

flash2.exe /u

and

PHLASH16 /mode=2 /mb /vcpu /p /s /cs /x /exit /i /vbl $01B2000.FL1

?

 

Hi Everybody,

Many thanks to offer such new stuff for our old T61.

I have one question:
my T61 is having a BIOS password that I don't know - I get the computer from large corporation when I left.
What will be the consequences of flashing Middleton BIOS ?

Thanks for your feedback and advices.

Best regards

Docles

 

Welcome to the forum!

Presuming that flashing BIOS by an end user is enabled in the BIOS to begin with, there should be no consequences whatsoever.

However, any and every BIOS flash carries the risk of bricking the machine, so I'll just wish you good luck.

 

This is my first message on this forum so hello everyone .
I have a question regarding bios for X61s . Are there any differences between bios for X61s and bios for X61s SVGA+ ?
If yes how can I recognize with type of X61s I own?

 

Wow, the BIOS files are a complete disaster!

To make it more user friendly and halve the download sizes, the BIOS could be supplied as a ROM, and both 32-bit and 64-bit Winflash included so that you can easily flash the BIOS regardless of if you have 32 or 64-bit.

If I can figure out how to put the BIOS on my laptop, I will extract the ROM, and package it with 32-bit and 64-bit Winflash. Zero headaches for anyone that way.

Edit: Uh oh. I got everything on a bootable DOS USB stick. It seemed to start working. It then said it was continuing, before coming up with an error. "Invalid Opcode at: blah blah blah."

I am scared to turn off my computer now. Oh man, I am screwed I think. I bought this X61 a couple of days ago. Unfortunately I was having a few issues with Windows 8.1, and the BIOS had never been updated before, so I figured I would try. I never, ever had an issue with a BIOS update before, but I always did it within Windows. I guess I need to search for a new motherboard....

Edit 2: There was no damage to the motherboard. Computer booted right up just fine. I tried again using the stock Lenovo BIOS, and I had a similar failure. I tried a third time, this time not quick formatting the USB stick, and it worked. I went from BIOS 1.11 to 2.22 or something like that. I tried the middleton again and nada. I really need whitelist removal because the stock Intel 3XXX wireless card is on fire! I think maybe the USB stick is bad, so I will get another one. I don't feel like trying to put FAT on any of my USB sticks that are larger capacity.

 

Hi All,

- do I get it right that it's better (if not critical) to copy Middleton BIOS files into a directory at the USB stick rather than into its root as one might think, particularly to avoid overwriting FreeDOS's command.com, and cd into it before flashing? I didn't notice it clearly stated in the howto, which just says "copy the files from .iso onto the USB stick"

- what's the difference between executing flash2.exe /u and PHLASH16 /mode=2 /mb /vcpu /p /s /cs /x /exit /i /vbl $01B2000.FL1 when flashing X61s from under FreeDOS?


Many thanks in advance!

 

Works great. Had a little issue with the error on booting from cd but read through the thread and found disabling the security chip in the BIOS did the trick. T61 15.4 display with nvidia gpu. Just picked up off ebay for $28.00. Parts, not working. Easy cheap fix (power socket), runs perfect. Added ssd, linux... golden.

 

Hi I read a lot but at the moment Im very confused. I will add a ssd to my T61 with W7 64 Bit. is the Bios working with 64Bit W7?

 

Yes. Works with *any*OS.

 

Perfect but now when I try to update it says 'BIOS Image file is older than BIOS ROM' It seems I have 3.23. Does it mean for SATA II I do not Need to update?

 

I suggest re-checking the BIOS version. The last one for T61/p is 2.30, where Middleton's is 2.29

If you want the SATA II support, flashing Middleton's BIOS is the only way to get there.

Good luck.

 

Hello,

i have a x61 with the 1.08 bios.

i tried it a lot of time to update the bios and becaus i have a ssd used the bios update 2.22-1.03.from this forum.

i also made a downgrade too windows7 home premium 32 bit on the notebook. i read its only possible with the 32bit.

sooo.. but it still not working. "Bios Image file cannot be found. The utility process has not completed."
i tried it some days with a lot of possibilities and i think its a stupid mistake.
but what?

it would be nice if somebody can give me an hint or a link to an detailed discreption.

Thanks

 

Hi guys!

An owner of T61 15.4" and I must beg you for help! I have flashed the BIOS with bootable CD and it... Failed! Everything went fine, up to the information that the process was finished. I was left with blinking cursor over black screen. I did wait 2-3 minutes and than powered down laptop with power button. Now it does not boot, it only runs black screen, fan and power LED's. Is there any way to save my ThinkPad? I had it for shor time, but enjoyed it

Thanks,
eru3

 

Try unplugging the laptop, then remove the battery and once you do that hold down the power button for 10 seconds. After that plug it back in and let us know what happens.

 

Done that, sorry for not mentioning. Unplugged CMOS battery, battery and power cord. I allowed the CMOS to get a reset and nothing.

 

Have you tried switching the RAM?

 

Tried three different sticks of 1GB RAM(in all slots) and result is same for all: 8 beeps all together for them being in the top slot, nothing for the bottom. Seems the board to me. Question is if it is reversable.

I would guess I need to load new bios eventualy to the chip itsel - but how? I could try to desoldier it, but it is veeeery risky. And what than? Any other methods?

 

Not without proper skills/equipment, and even then it's not a 100% shot.

Do yourself a favour and just get a replacement board or a parts machine. You'll be glad that you did.

Good luck.

 

I do not like going easy way, and how would be a favour to myself not trying to repair something that is going to the waste anyway, independently of a result If anyone have any ideas please share.

I could try to use any ports to access motherboards and flash bios from other device or desoldier it and try to program like an Atmega. These are my ideas. Anything else? Maybe it is fixable more usual way?

 

Well...to each their own, but while I can't put a value on your time, I'd consider my own to be way too precious to be wasted on a non-starter project like one that you're looking at. Especially for the fact that an Intel board for a 15.4" T61 is under $100 nowadays...

Discussion of finagling with BIOS chips is beyond the scope of this forum. Just as FYI.

Good luck.

 

Hi! The .ISO image for modded BIOS for R61 with ieee1394 without ctrl/fn swap is now working and gives an error when booting the cd. I have tried with original BiOS from lenovo website and there are no erros there. Please help! Thank you!

 

I forgot to mention: it is 14.1 widescreen

 

Bad command or file name

I got that error when trying to update the bios with an iso burned CD. The problem appears to be that I booted with the CD in an external usb drive, and the update software expects to be booted from the internal drive. Everything went fine when booting from the internal drive.

I thought there would be a lesser chance of a read error using the drive it was burned on rather than the “who knows how broke” internal drive that wont burn a CD anymore, but no go. -Paul

 

Hi, just got an old x61 off ebay and happened upon this info, so where do I get this Bios update from? I can't seem to locate it on here

 

HI all, just discovered this forum too. Running R61i type 7650. I'm looking for the BIOS update as well, is it still around?

 

It seems that the page with Middleton's BIOS was misplaced during forum's transition to new software. The higher-ups have been notified and hopefully it will be back soon. Stay tuned.

 

Anyone find the BIOS yet? Whats the good word?

 

The whole web is linking to this site regarding this bios, but the download link is broken. Could anybody please please host it somewhere if this forum has managed to loose it?!?

 

I have uploaded them on http://www.thinkscopes.com/dl/bios-mods/
I will finish the rest later. They are on my web server.

I will also attempt to create a T61 BIOS mod for version 2.30 after my exams based on Middleton's work.

Cheers

 

Is this the longest running thread on this site? I am always surprised it continues to pop up!

 

Hello is my first post pls help me ...
Laptop Lenovo X61s

I installed the 2.22 BIOS but it does not work the left CTRL button and not running Win XP installed but after a few restarts is blue image with the inscription system damage.
I do not know how to restore or load a different bios.
I have no experience in this topic

 

Hi, I have an X61 (7673-4NG) running Win 7 Ultimate 32bit and I got myself a 6300 Intel card the other day. Wanted to install it running Mod BIOS and installed the version from the link above. Card shows up in device manager (i used the 8aw217ww driver from Lenovo) but it does not work proporly.

Are the bios files above from "jonashendrickx" really the ones from Middleton? If not, can someone please help me get the correct one.

Other errors i have:

Left CRTL key does not work anymore (very anoying)
FN-F5 does not work anymore.

Thankful for support

 

Worked before the change BIOS , I work winxp sp3 , laptop work very good


turned into buttons ctrl and FN

 

Please ignore the comment about CTRL and FN. I took the BIOS with the switch function -> That works (sorry for the confusion).

However, the issue with the card still remains. As I said the card is recognized
1. It is disabled from start. Enabling it does not change the issue under #2
2. The card is not shown in the list under "F5".
3. I have only two antennas which I connected to 1 and 2 on the card (Middle connector "3" unused).

And yes, i did have the switch on for WLAN.

Any ideas?

regards

 

1- After changing the BIOS changed places
CTRL and FN but that's a small problem
2- FN + F5 on / off WLAN in Linux OK but does not work in Windows 7

 

jonashendricks -
Many many thanks for uploading the BIOS update files & info. Links to this forum are broken all over the place. Very late to the "upgrade" game but thrilled to have found the necessary files. Kudos!