2014-05-29 18:59

Here are the steps I used to upgrade the BIOS of my Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 2.
You have to download the bootable ISO file from Lenovo support site, convert it and copy it to a usb flash drive.

You will need a USB key you can erase.

First Get the bootable ISO file from Lenovo support website. To get your product number:

sudo dmidecode -t system | grep Product

To check your BIOS version: sudo dmidecode -t bios

Get the geteltorito program from your packages or download it:

cd /tmp/
wget http://userpages.uni-koblenz.de/~krienke/ftp/noarch/geteltorito/geteltorito
chmod +x geteltorito

Extract the img from the ISO:

./geteltorito -o bios.img gruj09us.iso

Copy the img to the USB key (make sure sdb is you USB key!!):

sudo fdisk -l /dev/sdb #at least check that device size is right
sudo dd if=bios.img of=/dev/sdb

That’s it. Boot on USB stick and follow the instructions to update your BIOS.

2014-05-29 18:59 · Tags: , , , , ,

23 Comments

  1. In my case, X1 Carbon Gen 1, and not Gen 2….
    I’d like to have feedback before if any one tried? ;) What’s Geteltorito repository?
    Thank’s for the tip ;)

    Pad

    Actually I have :

    ~ sudo dmidecode -t bios
    # dmidecode 2.12
    SMBIOS 2.7 present.

    Handle 0x000E, DMI type 0, 24 bytes
    BIOS Information
    Vendor: LENOVO
    Version: G6ET93WW (2.53 )
    Release Date: 02/04/2013
    Address: 0xE0000
    Runtime Size: 128 kB
    ROM Size: 12288 kB
    Characteristics:
    PCI is supported
    PNP is supported
    BIOS is upgradeable
    BIOS shadowing is allowed
    Boot from CD is supported
    Selectable boot is supported
    EDD is supported
    3.5″/720 kB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
    Print screen service is supported (int 5h)
    8042 keyboard services are supported (int 9h)
    Serial services are supported (int 14h)
    Printer services are supported (int 17h)
    CGA/mono video services are supported (int 10h)
    ACPI is supported
    USB legacy is supported
    BIOS boot specification is supported
    Targeted content distribution is supported
    UEFI is supported
    BIOS Revision: 2.53
    Firmware Revision: 1.2

    Handle 0x002D, DMI type 13, 22 bytes
    BIOS Language Information
    Language Description Format: Abbreviated
    Installable Languages: 1
    en-US
    Currently Installed Language: en-US

    ~

    Reply

  2. Hi Pad,
    geteltorito is just a perl script to extract the iso.
    http://freecode.com/projects/geteltorito

    you should get the iso file from lenovo download website.
    Marc

    Reply

  3. I Left it aside… And just did it now ;-)
    Works like a charm… ThX a Lot !

    Reply

  4. I works … But just one question: Why did I have to make an img with iso file, with geteltorito?
    img should works also no?

    Reply

    • I’m not an expert on the matter : I think some special iso files can be used either on USB or CD, but this one from Lenovo has to be transformed.

      Reply

  5. Kaloyan Petrov

    I used the USB method on T520i with BIOS 1.29/EC 1.22
    And some point of BIOS update, i received and error screen.
    After that computer booted with new 1.45 BIOS, but the EC was at version 1.22
    Using an update with a CD fixed things.

    Reply

  6. Tobias Hommel

    Works fine on “X1 Carbon 3rd Generation” with current n14ur07w.iso.

    Reply

  7. @Tobias Hommel
    I am still with BIOS v1.06 on my “X1 3rd gen” and I wonder if it makes sense updating to v1.09(n14ur07w.iso). Have you noticed any improvements?

    Reply

  8. Perfect.
    This does work great on X1 Carbon 3rd generation with n14ur09w.iso.

    Reply

  9. You safe my day :)

    Works great on X1 Carbon 3rd generation with n14ur10w.iso.

    Reply

  10. shaneonabike

    I tried this but was not able to get it to boot for Lenovo T510. I definitely snagged the bootable BIOS but when it burnt out to the USB there was nothing there (is that normal?). When I tried to boot the error message was that there was no OS? Any ideas??

    Reply

  11. How do you do this in Windows? I download a geteltoritor utility for Windows and it’s creates an image of only 512 bytes.

    BTW, Lenovo bios util does NOT run any Windows 7/8/10 64 bit versions. I rather not burn a CD…since my Lenovo has no CD drive

    Reply

  12. It works on Thinkpad E470 and r0duj12wd.iso. Thanks!

    Reply

  13. Where do we save the ISO file as i cannot run the ./geteltorito -o bios.img gruj09us.iso command properly. It throws up an error. Also if the file is nor there in the tmp folder how will it run the file. Please help and give more details.

    Reply

    • I was able to get the file and everything setup but now i am receiving an error saying persmission denied

      Reply

      • Now i am stuck at a point where i receive a syntax error. please Help i am trying to update my Lenovo thinkpad x260 bios because of the sleep problem that most lenovo thinkpads are facing

        Reply

      • start with “sudo ” give space and then type the command.
        it will ask for password, type in you password carefully and press return or enter

        Make sure you select the usb drive or your HDD will be damaged.

        All the best

        Reply

  14. Heimen Stoffels

    I’m trying to run geteltorito but it throws up an error:
    The file ‘./geteltorito’ is marked as an executable but could not be run by the operating system.

    How to proceed?

    Reply

  15. you saved my day! lenovo should send you money! :)

    Reply

  16. Thanks! Worked perfectly on a Gen1 :)

    Reply

  17. This update does not work on old Lenovo Thinkpads. The update can be carried out only on the new version of laptops.

    Reply

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