X220 - Unable to update BIOS [ Edited ]

[richardrockers]

Greetings

I am unable to update the BIOS on the Thinkpad listed below.

I have tried to run Boot CD version of the update program (using CD player in dock) and it reports the error:

"The system program file is not correct for this system"

The Windows based BIOS update program reports the error (in or out of dock):

"The process does not recognize this system. The process has been cancelled"

The Lenovo support page lists the new BIOS as being appropriate for this model. The BIOS reports the correct model and serial number.

I desire to update the BIOS only as part of a software reload / refresh of the laptop. No actual problem with current BIOS to my knowledge.

Does anyone have a suggestion?

Thinkpad X220

Model 4287 2VU

Current BIOS 1.11 (8DET41WW) 2011-03-28

Attempting to apply BIOS 1.37.1.24 (2013-02-06)

[goretsky Community Moderator]

Hello,

Have you tried updating to a BIOS version somewhere inbetween the two versions?  Maybe there is an issue with the BIOS firmware being updated from such an old version to such a new version because some sort of interim version has to be loaded.

The other suggestion I have is to verify the model number on internal system board matches the model number on the external casing.

Try opening an elevated Command Prompt (filename: CMD.EXE) and issuing the following commands:

wmic.exe baseboard get product
wmic.exe bios get name,serialnumber,version
wmic.exe csproduct get vendor,name,identifyingnumber

The first command should return the motherboard brand and model.

The second command should return the BIOS version information, serial and version number.

The last command should return the system serial number, product name and manufacturer.

Hopefully, everything matches up with what appears to be present.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

[richardrockers]

Thanks for the feedback.

Performed the checks you suggested and everything matched the expected answers.

Can someone provide a link to an older (intermediate) version of the BIOS for this machine?

X220

Model 4287 2VU

Current BIOS 1.11 (8DET41WW)

[x220forme Community Moderator · Accepted solution]

richardrockers,

it's very simply to find an old version you need as well as .txt description file. In the link below for the current version (UEFI: 1.37/ ECP: 1.24) -
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/8duj23us.exe
...replace .exe or .txt file name with the old one:

1.36: 8duj21us.exe / 8duj21us.txt (2.11.2012)
1.35: 8duj20us.exe / 8duj20us.txt (18.10.2012)
1.34: 8duj19us.exe / 8duj19us.txt (11.09.2012)
1.33: 8duj18us.exe / 8duj18us.txt (26.07.2012)
1.31: 8duj17us.exe / 8duj17us.txt (13.06.2012)
1.29: 8duj16us.exe / 8duj16us.txt (25.04.2012)
1.28: 8duj15us.exe / 8duj15us.txt (27.02.2012)
1.26: 8duj14us.exe / 8duj14us.txt (26.12.2011)
1.25: 8duj13us.exe / 8duj13us.txt (22.11.2011)
1.24: 8duj12us.exe / 8duj12us.txt (28.10.2011)
1.22: 8duj11us.exe / 8duj11us.txt (7.10.2011)
1.21: 8duj10us.exe / 8duj10us.txt (7.09.2011)
...

[richardrockers]

Thanks for the support.

Unfortunately the old BIOS reports the same error.

Guess I will just keep the old BIOS.

Thanks everyone.

[SMG47]

Perhaps u didn't go back far enough.

Before u give up try this bios:

http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/8duj09uc.iso

[trigger8man]

Hi all,  I updated latest X220 Bio 1.39 and now my Trackpoint won't work.  Does anyone know which back dated Bios I could try to get it working ?  Only reason why I got Lenovo is the trackpoint are suppose to be the best, otherwise, Dell here I come !

T

[goretsky Community Moderator]

Hello,

Check in the BIOS firmare settings to verify that the TrackPoint did not accidentally get disabled.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky