Updating BIOS on IBM 390E w/o Windoze

jheis · 08-13-2008, 06:10 PM

I'm running Oracle's version of RHEL4 on an old IBM 390E Thinkpad. No windoze installed.
I'd like to update the (out of date) Bios, but the download from Lenovo is a .exe file & all the instructions are geared to MS crap.
Will I run into problems if I download the update file & try to install it without windoze?
The instructions give the warning "If you turn off the computer while the update is still in progress, the system board may have to be replaced"!
This is my only access to the internet since my T42 died, so I don't want to risk screwing it up. Am I asking for trouble? TIA.

James

michaelk · 08-13-2008, 09:40 PM

The instructions on the website indicate several possibilities. The executable could be a self extracting zip file where you run some other application to create a floppy bootable disk, The application runs asking to insert a floppy disk or a licensing agreement popup window appears. The BIOS upgrade is via a floppy disk and not with windows. I would say that you probably need a windows/DOS computer to create the bootable floppy disk.

H_TeXMeX_H · 08-14-2008, 04:07 AM

you might be able to run it through wine, but it may not be safe, still it's safer than say a program that updates the BIOS while Window$ is running

jheis · 08-14-2008, 06:03 PM

Thanks.
I've got an old Fujitsu Lifebook 770 with (I think) Windoze 98 loaded that I can use to make the disk.
I've never tried to muck around with BIOS & I'm concerned about how (or if) the Thinkpad 390E (which is Linux only - no Dos/Windoze installed) deals with a .exe file.
I suppose the "firmware" is not dependent on what operating system is installed, so I guess the question is will the IBM firmware be able to recognize & deal with the .exe format?
I don't want to take the chance of screwing up my "daily driver."

James

michaelk · 08-14-2008, 07:01 PM

As long as you follow the instructions on the website for upgrading you will be fine. The exe file you download is only an application to create a boot floppy. The floppy disk will be DOS and it does not care what OS is installed on the hard drive. The floppy disk you create contains the BIOS image and the program that does the flashing. Make sure the BIOS is configured to boot from floppy first.

jheis · 08-15-2008, 06:16 PM

THAT went well...
Updated the BIOS, but now my external drive is not recognized by the system.

The kernel Startup log "sees" it as a Maxtor One Touch, but then says:

Current sda: sense key No Sense
unknown partition table.

What now? Seems like no good deed goes unpunished.

James