Thinkpad R40 type 2682 - 6GU Bios flash problems

[LeeCravens]

Hello all!  I made sure to check all of the R40 threads for information on this, and have been unable to find anything, I was hoping you could help me!

I recently purchased a Thinkpad R40 type 2682 - 6GU, and absolutely love it!  I maxed out the RAM (1 gig), and it came equipped with Windows XP professional.  It has the internal 802.11a/b wireless pci card.

I just purchased the IBM Thinkpad MiniPCI Atheros 802.11g card, and saw that I will need the latest BIOS

Version: 1.27

Release Date: 2006/06/30

1ouj24us.exe

 installed for the card to work.  I checked, and I currently have 1.14 . 

I downloaded the file straight from the Lenova Support & Downloads site.  I read the readme file, and followed all of the instructions, and it isn't doing anything.  I will give a detailed description of what I am doing, to see if you can pinpoint something I am doing wrong, or a setting somewhere I need to change.

1.   saved file as C:\bios\1ouj24us.exe

2.   opened start menu --> run

3.   typed in c:\bios\1ouj24us.exe --> enter

4.   clicked "run"

5.   accepted EULA

6.   chose "next" through the first 4 messages

7.   chose "next" on the next 1 of 4 messages

At this point, the computer restarts, logs into windows (no user accounts or passwords setup yet to avoid the mess of that during BIOS flash), loads like normal, and no further process on the BIOS flash.  I have done this at least 20 times on the same machine, and it still has BIOS ver 1.14 .

Can you please help?!?

Thanks in advance,

Lee

[ajkula66 Guru]

Welcome to the forum!

You don't need the latest BIOS for your wireless card to work if it's a genuine IBM card, just swap it out with the current a/b one that the machine has, even driver is the same.

Hope this helps.

[LeeCravens]

Thank you sir!  I have yet to receive the card, but will try an install as soon as I get it.  It is the same brand (Atheros I believe) as came from the factory, so I hope you're right.  I will update with the results.

If the bios upgrade ends up being needed, do you have any idea why my previous attempts were unsuccessful?

[LeeCravens]

No dice... recieved the "Ambit Microsystems" card today and it throws an error "Unauthorized minipci card detected, turn off computer and remove card"

Does anyone have any idea why the BIOS flash is not working?!?

[ajkula66 Guru]

What's the FRU number on that card?

How's the battery condition of your R40?

[LeeCravens]

There are a million numbers on it, what would I be looking for?

I thought the battery that came with it had problems because it would only recharge when completely powered off, but once charged, it would last a decent amount of time.  I bought a brand new battery, but it has the same thing, it doesn't charge when the computer is on, or in standby for that matter.  I was hoping the BIOS upgrade would also fix that issue.

[LeeCravens]

One number that I notice recurring several times on the card is "T60H786.01" if that helps answer your question.

[ajkula66 Guru]

If it's a genuine IBM card, there should be a sticker on it saying FRU P/N 39T0081 or something like that, but would include a FRU P/N part regardless of the actual number.

A generic card will throw a "1802 error" in a R40, where the original one won't.

You can't update BIOS on a machine that has a bad battery or charging issues, BTW.

[LeeCravens]

Argh!  I know the battery is good, both of them in fact, any idea what the charging issue could be?

[DAWIZARDDCC]

Greetings! I need the bios update for r40 thinkpad. I want to use intel wireless and fix battery charge issues. Please send me the file as update no longer works. davidcasper123@outlook.com. Thanks much, Dave wa0dc