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    need help: how to downgrade T420 bios to 1.15

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by mangos47, Sep 12, 2011.

  1. mangos47

    mangos47 Notebook Consultant

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    Hi all,

    I just purchased a thinkpad T420 from JR.com. I was trying to get eGPU running on this laptop since it has intel HD3000 graphics so it shall support optimus technology for Nvidia cards. I understand from Nando's post that this laptop only supports 4GB+ eGPU setup with 1.15 bios. The current bios that come with the laptop is 1.31.

    However, when I tried to upgrade the 1.15 bios with a bootable cd created from the 1.1.5 bios iso image, it says:
    ---------------------------------------
    Error
    The system program file is not correct for this systems.
    ---------------------------------------
    My laptop model is 4177-QKU. Anyone know why is it so or how to solve this problem?

    Thanks in advance!
     
    mangos47, Sep 12, 2011
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  2. erik

    erik modifier

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    if your T420 has an 8WHT embedded controller chipset then the oldest BIOS package you can downgrade to is 1.27/1.08.   you can find out by booting into the BIOS and checking the ECP revision.   it'll either be 8WHTxxxx or 83HTxxxx, and most likely 8WHT by the sound of it.

    see my response here to an X220T owner with the same dilemma: Problem downgrading BIOS to 1.11 with x220 tablet - Lenovo Community

    while neither tested nor endorsed, it might be possible to combine the older BIOS with newer ECP (embedded controller program), thus creating a 1.15+1.10 BIOS+ECP package.   while seemingly feasible, i've not personally tested this to know if it would reliably work.   you risk bricking your system with a bad flash along with voiding your system planar warranty, and subsequently have to take full responsibility in such an event.

    in other words, it'll probably work but i don't recommend trying it. ;)
     
    erik, Sep 13, 2011
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  3. mangos47

    mangos47 Notebook Consultant

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    just read that link. Lol, never thought the damn tsunami is gonna affect me in this way. Guess I'm done with this eGPU on this one. Thanks for the information.
     
    mangos47, Sep 13, 2011
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  4. ThinkRob

    ThinkRob Notebook Deity

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    You can flash the ECP independently of the BIOS. Sorta.

    You don't want to try this on your own unless you're good at soldering.
     
    ThinkRob, Sep 16, 2011
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  5. erik

    erik modifier

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    you can flash the ECP independently without soldering.   it's dead simple to combine mismatched BIOS + ECP packages and flash via software or ISO.

    my point isn't in the academics of how to accomplish it.   it's in the fact that no one has tested the older BIOS with new ECP to know with 100% certainty that the actual combination would be reliable or that it won't land a brick on someone's desk. ;)
     
    erik, Sep 16, 2011
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  6. sklsy

    sklsy Notebook Guru

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    that's really sad!! Can anybody else confirm this? How about x220 then, does it have the same problem? I'm going to buy t420 and want to use my egpu...thanks
     
    sklsy, Sep 17, 2011
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  7. PatchySan

    PatchySan Om Noms Kit Kat

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    Well user "sprtnbsblplya" was able to use eGPU on his T420 but its only possible when he downgraded to BIOS 1.15. I guess i'm fortunate as my T420 was one of the earlier batches with 8WHT Embedded Controller, i'm using BIOS 1.23 at the moment as i'm waiting for a BIOS that fixes the Intel 510 issue (not really that interested in eGPU myself)! But i'm curious to see what Lenovo did to cease function of the eGPU with their recent BIOS updates.
     
    PatchySan, Sep 17, 2011
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  8. sklsy

    sklsy Notebook Guru

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    Well...I somehow remember that the egpu will work under any bios with only 2G ram ,Can anyone confirm ? That's the last hope....
     
    sklsy, Sep 17, 2011
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  9. ThinkRob

    ThinkRob Notebook Deity

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    The "soldering" crack was a reference to what you need to do if you brick your ThinkPad with a bad flash, not what you need to do to flash the ECP. :D
     
    ThinkRob, Sep 17, 2011
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  10. erik

    erik modifier

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    ohhhh...   *smacks forehead*   now i get ya :D

    yeah, that would be a necessary skill to have in such an event.   no arguments there.
     
    erik, Sep 17, 2011
    #10