Urgent: BIOS update too slow or stopped?

At this moment, I am updating my T61 BIOS via ThinkVantage->System Update.

It is installing BIOS update now. However, the Overall Progress has been in 93% for over 40 minutes.

The system is on AC power and I have perfect fast internet connection.

Is this normal? Is this something that happened to you? Should I wait?

Can I do a system hibernation since I am not at home and need to leave my place soon? Any danger?

This is my first Thinkpad. Any input is really appreciated.

Thanks!!!

 

that stinks, even if you are leavning, I would just leave it plugged in

 

I am working in a public place and it will soon close.

 

Any ideas? Folks?

 

It shouldn't be taking that long. If there is no way to cancel it, just leave it on as long as you can under AC Power. I'd suggest immediately calling Lenovo though as well.

 

If you put the system on hibernate, you will still need a bios to start the computer back up. I hope it works out well. Does anyone know if the thinkpad has a dual bios?

 

So what happened? Hopefully your laptop is OK.

This advice might be a little late but...

This is one of several reasons I have that it is not a good idea to rely on ThinkVantage System Update for driver and BIOS installs and updates. ESPECIALLY BIOS updates. It's so much safer to make a bootable disk and do it that way.

While ThinkVantage System Update might be a convenience, it just increases the chances of driver or BIOS corruption (which will lead to a big inconvenience). Seriously, just check the driver matrix page for the most recent drivers, download and install them as needed.

Again, I hope your laptop's BIOS isn't permanently damaged. Good Luck!

 

If it is damaged you are going to have to reformat your thinkpad dude.... This has happened to me before just 3 months after I got mine(happened with another critical driver installation). I was able to open it up in safe mode and transfer vital files to an external HD and then reformat(access it by hitting thinkvantage button upon startup). You may need to fix it that way.

 

I think if the update does fail you should try it again until you do get it updated. As long as it doesn't power down you should be fine but if you are forced to power down then you would need to get a new bios chip from Lenovo or send it in to them.

I'm not sure how accessible the bios is on a Thinkpad but if the update does fail then you should be able to get a new bios chip and install it without any damage. You shouldn't need to format or anything since the bios is just the chip on your motherboard that boots up your computer to your OS.

 

Whatever you do, do not power down. Same thing happened to me on my X61T, except it somehow randomly restarted and it corrupted the bios. Its a HUGE PAIN!

 

Hello folks, the BIOS updated was finally finishyed without any errors about an hour after my second post. I took your advice, did not not power it down or hibernated it. Not sure why this happened. I was using the network in a university library. I believe it is super fast.

After reading all the posts made by you kind posts, I feel I need to do something just in case. Such as more backup of work, creating a bootable disk, etc.

Thank you guys for pitching in. Have a GREAT weekend.

Again, THANKS!

 

Just to clear this up, the result of bricking your laptop (ie. screw up the BIOS) is a lot worse than just simply reformatting the hard drive. You can't even turn on the computer as it won't boot up. You have to send it in to get the BIOS reprogrammed. That's why they say to not do BIOS updates unless you really think it can fix something b/c they're very risky.

 

Surely network speed would not make any difference, as you download the program first before running and flashing the bios.

 

Next time either you download the program onto the computer and run it from there OR download the ISO and burn it to a CD to upgrade the BIOS. Replacement of the BIOS chip will cost you a few hundred bucks.

 

Thanks for the tip!

 

Can you run Bios update direct from the net? And it downloads and flashes as it goes?

 

not exactly, you have to download it first as mentioned previously. But you can install it without restarting first

 

I just got confused as in your comment it sounded like you could, but Im sure you couldnt.

 

Today I tried to update the BIOS on a T61 (purchased in mid July). It also took what seemed a long time (not as long as reported here) but then restarted the computer -- and the computer would not boot. I'd get the little Microsoft animation at the bottom of the screen then the screen would go blank and the hard drive would stop working.

I called tech support (good support person in Atlanta) and we tried a few things, including booting in safe mode (didn't help). He finally advised a reinstall of the O/S from the ThinkVantage startup recovery area. He also said it's best never to do an update. So the software folk are telling us updats are available and the tech folk are saying stay away. Hmmmm.

Right now I'm trying a repair using a Vista upgrade DVD.

But today I've heard from a colleague who is having BSOD problems, often at bootup -- or the system says it can't boot because it can't find a system disc. Her most recent activity before that? Upgrading the BIOS. Ouch!