Will BIOS Update *before* Clean Install Invalidate Activation?

I was about to start Vista clean install on my Lenovo 3000 according to an excellent guide I found in this forum.

However, as I downloaded the latest BIOS update from Lenovo with the intention of applying it before the Vista clean install, I realized that the certificate and key backed up by Activation Backup & Restore utility might not work if the BIOS is updated...

Do you happen to know whether indeed this is the case?

Or will the certificate and key backed up by Activation Backup & Restore utility (as suggested by that guide) will work even with an updated BIOS?

Thanks,
Victor

 

The BIOS has nothing to do with the OS, and it should not interfere with any legalalities of the OS. Don't worry about it, just go ahead and do it, nothing bad will happen.

 

Hmmm... according the Microsoft, Windows Genuine Advantage will collect the following information about your PC:

* OEM product key
* PC Manufacturer
* OS version
* PID/SID
* BIOS info (make, version, date)
* BIOS MD5 Checksum
* User Locale (language setting for displaying Windows)
* System Local (language version of the operating system)

Notice the references above to the BIOS. Does this mean that it is part of the activation algorithm?

OTOH, the user locale is also part of that WGA collection, and it seems ridiculous that it will somehow affect activation. So perhaps the BIOS does not affect either?

I am confused, because it is common knowledge that any hardware changes require re-activation, but I don't know whether BIOS update is considered a hardware change or not.

Thanks,
Victor

 

Yes, but regardless of what you change in your BIOS, you still have the same OEM key, thus it's the same computer.

You're allowed to make changes to ur computer (BIOS, hardware, software) and this does not de-valuate your OEM key and the validation.

 

Save yourself the trouble and upgrade the bios before you do the clean installation. I got into trouble with the Lenovo 3000 N100 last week. Eventually I had to call in and ask for the key to activate it.
I believe when there is a major bios version change vista would ask for an activation. I upgraded that laptop from version 1.xx -> 1.08 w/o problem but then encountered activation problem w/ 1.08 -> 2.06.

 

^^^That's a good idea. Definitely upgrade your BIOS before the clean install. However, what adinu said is accurate. You have the same key and OEM cert file before and after BIOS upgrades. But, to make yourself feel better...
1 Update the BIOS
2 Back-up with the ABR utility
3 clean install Vista
4 Use the ABR utility to restore/activate.

BTW, if you are following the guide in my sig, feel free to post these questions there.

 

BIOS version 2.06 ???

Where did you find it? The latest BIOS version that I was able to find at the Lenovo web site (for my Lenovo 3000 N100) was 1.08. If there is a more advanced version I would like to apply it before performing the clean install.

Thanks,
Victor

 

OK - I think that I figured out the source of the confusion: There are two different BIOS version numbers, one for the Microsoft Windows Vista preloaded systems and one for the Microsoft Windows XP preloaded systems.

Mine came preloaded with Vista so the latest BIOS version for it is 1.08 (I just upgraded it from 1.04 and ABR created the same exact key and cert ).

BIOS version 2.06 is for systems preloaded with Windows XP.

Victor

 

<3.12>
- (New) Update for the 3000 N100 (Windows XP Preload Models)
BIOS Ver. 2.06 (61ET37WW) for the following updates.
- (Fix) Fix USB mouse fail after resuming

----------------
you better apply that one as well.

 

BIOS ver. 2.06 (Windows XP Preload Models) == BIOS ver. 1.08 (Vista Preload Models)

The BIOS update program knows which Windows it is running on and automagically extracts only the corresponding BIOS version. If you are running Vista but somehow forced BIOS ver. 2.06 on it, that could explain the problems that you had.

Victor

 

I see. But the later one has a fix for USB so what the hell, right??

 

Right, but it fixes the "USB mouse fail after resuming" only for Windows XP. I am actually using a USB mouse (running Vista Business) and have not incurred any such USB problem - even with the older version (1.04).

Victor

 

please


i download this bios update

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-67008


but i dont know how can i use it

please help