Tecra S5 - Is it worth to update the BIOS?

I bought a Tecra S5 notebook recently and yesterday I noticed an update of the BIOS in the Toshiba website.
I googled alot and also searched this forum and found a lot of threads about people having problems after updating (flashing) their BIOS. So I want to ask if the update is worth it, and if somebody owning a S5 has done it. Also could somebody tell me if there is a way to ensure you can roll back previous BIOS version after an update goes wrong?
The notebook is precious to me and since living in this financial crisis time means I won't be able to buy a new one if I screw this up I want to be sure. Thanks in advance.
EDIT: Forgot to mention that I installed Vista 64 due to having 4 GB of RAM.

Hello
First of all a BIOS update is not necessary if your notebooks runs smoothly. Never touch a running system ;)
A BIOS update is only advisable if you have problem with it, for example not properly recognized RAM modules or so.
I only update the BIOS of my notebook if I have problems with it and that means I updated the BIOS on my Toshiba notebooks 3 times as yet. Im not a Tecra S5 owner but I never had a problem with the BIOS updates. Some people who reported that the BIOS update failed did forget to read some instructions how to do that:
Before you start a BIOS update you should close all running programs and close all background processes that you dont need. Also your antivirus and firewall should be disabled and must be logged in as administrator. Dont forget to connect the AC/DC adaptor before you start it.
If you follow these tips normally the BIOS update should be done successfully.
A BIOS downgrade to an older version can only be done from anuthroized service provider. That means you can downgrade it yourself.
But newer versions are pretested from Toshiba and should not cause more problems as before. Newer BIOS versions fix problems.
I hope I could help you a little bit! :)
Greets

Similar Messages

Tecra M3 - Can't update the BIOS

Hi,
I have a Tecra M3 (PTM30E) and TEMPRO is telling they're 2 bios updates for the machine.
I have downloaded them, but when I run them I am told the computer is not supported. How do I update the BIOS?
Best wishes
Michael

Why to hell do you need a BIOS update?
Only because the Tempro said that there is a new update?
Tempro sends only a notification that a new file has been uploaded
Its not a recommendation that you have to update this!
So if your notebook runs trouble free dont update anything!!
I always follow this advice; never change a running system! And its really wise advice
Greets

Updating the BIOS: is it worth? And how to?

Hello everyone.
I have an Hp Envy dv-6 -7280sl
I formatted it, and installed Windows 7 64bit and Ubuntu 13.10 in dual boot.
Some days ago the notebook didn't let me enter in Windows 7 partition, giving me a 0xc00000e9 error. When I ran the Long DST test, it failed.
I managed to format the Windows 7 partition, and installed it once again. Now it's properly working, and the Long DST test is passing. But If I insert a Windows 7 64bit repair disk, it still gives me the 0xc00000e9 error.
What can I do? Do I need to update the bios? Is it worth?
And how can I do it, since the HP page want me to select "Windows 8"?

Askaron wrote:
Hello everyone.
I have an Hp Envy dv-6 -7280sl
I formatted it, and installed Windows 7 64bit and Ubuntu 13.10 in dual boot.
Some days ago the notebook didn't let me enter in Windows 7 partition, giving me a 0xc00000e9 error. When I ran the Long DST test, it failed.
I managed to format the Windows 7 partition, and installed it once again. Now it's properly working, and the Long DST test is passing. But If I insert a Windows 7 64bit repair disk, it still gives me the 0xc00000e9 error.
What can I do? Do I need to update the bios? Is it worth?
And how can I do it, since the HP page want me to select "Windows 8"?
BIOS update is always a good thing to do if needed but in your case first needs to solve the error problem your having when you use the repair disk. And then if you want to check on the HP driver support with your product number and see if there was BIOS update to your system. But when doing BIOS update make sure your batter is working order and power is good causing having a filed BIOS update is not a good thing to have. But in my experiences of flashing the BIOS unless something forbids happens updating a bios is something you should read the instructions and do it when your not using the computer for anything else. But generally if you do it carefully and not rush BIOS updating is should work fine just make sure to get the right BIOS that matching our product number. Also to your two paritions is there a reason why you need Ubuntu? I would think Windows would more then suffice and the problem might coming from the Unbuntu partitions when the repair disk does a scan. Put this way wipe the total hard drive clean partitions and make just one system Windows 7 and if any errors appears then you can tell if it is software based or hard drive based problems.
I am a Volunteer to help others on here-not a HP employee.
Replies aren't online 24/7 because of Time Zone differences.
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How can I update the BIOS without using a CD?

Hello!
I have recently decided to upgrade my RAM from 2GB to 4GB. After installing, I booted up my computer to find that it would not recognize the new memory. After doing a bit of troubleshooting, I decided to try and update the BIOS, as the version was from 2010. I downloaded the BIOS update boot CD application from lenovo, burned a disc, and on reboot I found that the boot order did not have CD listed on it. Here's the catch: I don't have the supervisor password. This is a hand-me-down laptop, and I have tried to find the password to no avail. This is the current boot order: USB drive, Hard drive.
My question is, can I either create a BIOS update disc using a USB, or update the BIOS some other way?
I understand that it is impossible to recover the supervisor password without having it serviced (which I would rather not do, even if I have to send my RAM back to Crucial)
My system specs:
Thinkpad L512
Bios version: 1.04
Bios date: 2010-3-26
Embeded Controller Version: 1.01
Windows 7 32 bit
Thanks for your help.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Welcome to the forum!
Two things here:
a) If you run System Update, it should offer the latest BIOS for your machine as well. I've never done it on a passworded unit, so it might or might not work but might be worth a shot.
b) I doubt that the ability of the system to recognize new RAM has anything to do with the BIOS. ThinkPads much older than yours will run 4-8GB RAM with an old BIOS, older than your machine to begin with.
Good luck.
Cheers,
George
In daily use: R60F, R500F, T61, T410
Collecting dust: T60
Enjoying retirement: A31p, T42p,
Non-ThinkPads: Panasonic CF-31 & CF-52, HP 8760W
Starting Thursday, 08/14/2014 I'll be away from the forums until further notice. Please do NOT send private messages since I won't be able to read them. Thank you.

Win XP and updating the bios

Wich is the correct procedure to update the bios of my mb (K8N diamond)?
I have read the MSI information, but using Win Xp is not possibile to start the update from a boot floppy of win98. it can read the NTFS file system.
Pad

Quote from: tcsenter on 13-February-06, 14:19:49
It is truly a mystery where this procedure originated from that uses a RAM drive for flashing a BIOS, given that DOS-based flash executables from AMI and Award have always required a pure DOS environment with NO MEMORY MANAGERS or other non-essential memory resident programs (and both BIOS companies continue to recommend this). It seems to be a method advocated only here, for reasons I cannot explain, perhaps originating from someone's own personal preference.
Physical RAM is much more vulnerable to power fluctuations and uncorrectable errors than modern fixed hard disks. Only high-end servers running registered ECC modules can detect and track defective RAM right down to the individual RAM chip, marking it as unsafe for use to prevent access to the defective chip (ChipKill). Hard disks can do this internally right down to the sector or block and have for years. Of course, if the power is interrupted, neither is safe.
Using a RAM drive is more complexity with absolutely zero advantage or benefit, and possibly will interfere with the flash process. Flash utilities typically balk at the presence of memory managers and other non-approved memory resident code.
Excellent fact/points. Up until several years ago, I only flashed from a floppy or directly from the drive. I've had a couple flashes go bad using a floppy, and whenever possible I would do it from the HD. When I'm faced with an NTFS formatted drive, then I'm forced to flash via floppy, until I had a disk go bad at some point after I had copied the files to the disk and possibly during the flash. I then saw this method using the RAM Drive here, and I've seen it on other forums such as PC perspective (formerly AMDMB) and a couple others I cannot recall. I don't know where it originated from either. I have several drives laying around, and I may consider abandoning that method, or at least using a CD, but I am not sure of that method, I would think it safer than a floppy in any case. I've been using the RAM Drive method ever since when I don't have a FAT partition available and haven't had a problem, but that only means I haven't done it enough times to experience the failure you speak of. I guess it's only a matter of time.

Nvidia monitor couldn be load after updates the bios 1.9...

Halo....Have anyone used NVIDIA monitor? I'm having a problem using that applications and prompt an error message after updating the BIOS V1.9.. Anyone has any opinion on it?
Btw using Norton Ghost 9 and Raid0 which is better? Cos I wanted to knoe as I want to installed my other's PC which!!

K8N Neo2 isn't supposed to be supported by ntune (only nvfirewall and nvraid through ntune-lite) , so I would say it a good thing it blocks access
considering the mishaps people have had in using it for tweaks .
http://www.nvidia.com/object/motherboards.html

MSI H61M-P21 (B3) - Won't start, how can I update the BIOS?

Hello Everyone!
I just bought an MSI H61M-P21 (B3) Motherboard along with Intel Celeron G530 Sandy Bridge (2.4 GHz) and 1 DIMM of 4GB DDR3 1600 KingMax. I use NJOY 500W true power as power supply. The system starts but no image, no beep code, nothing... Testet with another DIMM of RAM (4GB DDR3 1333 KingMax), but no luck. Tested with another power supply (450w true power), no luck again. I have tested the motherboard out of case, put on an antistatic surface, no luck... Reset CMOS, same situation: no image, no beepcodes... On the Main BIOS Chip of the motherboard is a little sticker on which is written "E7680IMSH30" - i guess that the motherboard comes 'shipped' with 7680vH3 BIOS.
Is there a possibility to update the bios without replacing the CPU or send the board to RMA? I'm almost sure that the problem is around here...
Thanks in advance! Any answer is welcome!
P.S.: I appologise for my bad english.

Good morning.
I've tested the motherboard this weekend with another DIMM of 4GB DDR3 1333, ThermalTake PSU (500W, i don't remember the model) and Core i3-2120 CPU - those components were taken from another IDENTICAL motherboard H61M-P21 (B3) with same version of BIOS. Didn't worked... I have tested my Celeron CPU G530 on the functional H61M-P21 (B3) and it's working...
So, there is a problem with my mainboard, i will send it to warranty.
Thanks a lot. Have a nice day!

CAN'T UPDATE THE BIOS!!

I have a Z60m and i would like to update my bios from version 1.12 to the latest. I downloaded the utility on the website, it says that my laptop should shut down and the restart in update mode but all i see is a regular restart of my laptop and no bios update.
Did anyone had this problem?

You probably need to update the embedded controller to a version that the new BIOS can work with, check the information offered on the download site.
Now, before you ask; I know it says that if you need to update both BIOS and embedded controller you should update the BIOS first, it says the exact opposite on the embedded controller download site - confusing
Just choose your updates and versions carefully.
Andy ______________________________________
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GE60 0ND-412XTR - I can't update the BIOS

Hi guys.
I'am living Istanbul, Turkey. And I know very little English.
If the My problem is not being able to update the BIOS on my laptop.
I did the following steps one by one.
m-s-i-.-c-o-m-/files/pdf/Win8_UEFI_BIOS_Update_auto_en.pdf
Therefore, I can not update the BIOS.
What to do?
Thank you.
SYSTEM FEATURES
MSI GE60 0ND-412TR
Core i7-3630QM
8GB 750GB
GTX660M 2GB
15.6" Full HD
FreeDos
MY UPGRADES
120GB Kingston mSATA
Installed: Windows 8 Prox64
IN ADDITION TO
Although SSD drive installed takes about 40 seconds to see the Windows logo.
AND THE BIOS SCREEN
i-.-i-m-g-u-r-.-c-o-m-/6TN2bLF.jpg

Quote from: Essometer on 01-July-13, 05:05:50
So you can´t update an GE60 with freedos to UEFI, is that right?
I have Windows 8 on my GE60 freedos und the problem that my GPU won´t boost.
Will this bug be fixed anytime soon?
You cannot update the GE60 that came with FreeDOS to UEFI, correct.
The GE60 does not have a GPU boost function like other models do. It does have a built in GPU boost that is regulated by the GPU, and this was fixed with a recent firmware update (roughly 3 or 4 months ago). You should update to the latest FreeDOS/Win7 bios if you have not yet.

How do you update the Bios safely when using onboard RAID mirror? Z87-G45

How do you update the Bios safely when using onboard RAID with Z87-G45? I'm using a simple two drive, RAID 1 mirror setup.
I'm currently at bios 1.4, and want to move up. However, last time I upgraded the BIOS, the machine rebooted with improper settings for the RAID (they get hosed during BIOS flash) and Windows decided to auto-repair the only boot drive it could see, one half of the mirror, because it couldn't see the RAID array correctly and *POOF* bare-metal reinstall required.
My PC will not let me press the DEL key on bootup to access the bios, even with MSI Fast Boot not installed. It just ignores the DEL key and tries to load windows which, if that happens, will flame-out my RAID array after a bios flash if I can't catch it to enable the RAID first before windows loads.
I do not want to rebuild my PC again simply because I do a BIOS update.

FYI: BIOS 1.4 & 1.8 are using the same RAID version: 12.7.0.1936
based on this RAID surprise should not hapends.
But as pandaz says if you have no issues, leave bios update alone.
there are still risks something to messed up,
best do a backup of your data just in case if you want to try latest version

Problem updating the BIOS on Satellite A300

You update the BIOS in the laptop model A300-psagce after the update, the device to be subjected something.
Please help very necessary

Hey buddy,
Does this mean that now after the BIOS update you see only a black screen? Or can you access the BIOS or boot into safe mode?
If your notebook doesnt start anymore you should try this workaround: Remove the battery and AC/DC adaptor. Then wait one hour and connect both devices again. Now you can try to start the notebook again.
If it doesnt work you should go to an authorized service provider. Maybe the ROM module must be reflashed but this can only be done from an ASP.
Good luck!

Updating the BIOS on Satellite A30

Hi,
I'm about to update the BIOS on my Toshiba Satellite A30 Laptop (Service Pack 3).
I have downloaded the updated BIOS and have decided to update the BIOS from within Windows as recommended on the Toshiba website.
On the website it mentions prior to upgrading the BIOS please ensure the following:
Notebook PC BIOS update:
Prior to upgrading the BIOS please ensure the following:
- Notebook is undocked.
- Notebook is connected to the mains.
- Notebook must be in boot mode and not resume mode.
- Remove any PC Cards.
1. Windows based BIOS update:
1. Extract the zip file containing the BIOS upgrade to a temporary folder.
2. Make sure that all open files are saved and all applications are closed.
3. Execute the extracted *.exe file in the temporary folder. Follow the instructions on the screen.
4. The BIOS update will be done automatically.
5. After a few minutes the Notebook will restart automatically.
I'm not sure by what it means by Notebook must be in boot mode and not resume mode
What is boot mode and how do I get my laptop in this mode?
Can I not just run the downloaded file from my desktop?
Thanks;

Hi
Boot mode means the notebooks should be powered off ;)
Its simply off and ready to boot the OS when pressing the power button ;)
But listen dude;
This decryption belongs to the traditional BIOS update.
You can find ONLY the win-based BIOS update on the Toshiba page.
This BIOS can be updated only from running Windows OS.
PS: BIOS update is not necessary if the notebook is running trouble free

Satellite A40: How to update the BIOS because I only have half of the Bios

Hi guys
i went to the local computer shop with my satellite A40 because i only have half of the bios !!!
I sent an email to the german toshiba technical support and they said try a bios update (which baring in mind i still dont know how to do)then we sent my laptop to a local computer shop and told them the problem they told me not to update bios on a cempron processor.
Why not? What are the risks in need to know.
please help me because i want to in the future possibly upgrade to vista??

Hello Daniel,
Im a little bit confused about your message.
What do you mean with only have half of the bios?
Whats wrong with the BIOS?
The Toshiba support said -> try a BIOS update.
On the Toshiba page you can download the BIOS for the Satellite A40.
It seems you didnt check the download page detailed because on this page you would find this instruction:
http://eu.computers.toshiba-europe.com/cgi-bin/ToshibaCSG/faq.jsp?z=234&service=EU&from=faq_selection&CFID=B IOS&FID=TRO0000000b07
The BIOS update was detailed described in this document and you should follow these guide lines to update the BIOS.
bye

Is it possible to update the BIOS in my C200 3000

So basically my laptop says on it "3000 C200" I don't find much about it on the net.
I went into the bios and it says it's 63ET63WW V1.09
I have sort of USB disconnect issues and I read that it's BIOS related. Except there seems to be nothing on the net and Lenovo's support etc doesn't even seem to have my laptop there.
I admit it was bought ages ago like in 2007.
But surely since then there is some form of update for it. Even if it's just one update.
Another weird thing is I was on a forum and a guy was talking about XXXXXXWW as if that pertains to XP models and the XXXXXXW is for Vista. But my BIOS has WW at the end and I swear it came with Windowns Vista on it. Not XP. I have never had XP.

Welcome to the Lenovo Community !
The latest BIOS version for your model is version 3.12. That version is for both Windows XP and Vista. The latest version will also contain all the fixes and improvements found in the earlier BIOS updates.
Click here for the BIOS Update README file.
Click here for the BIOS Update download.
For future reference, due to the age of your system it is now considered a "Legacy" model. Downloads for the C200 can now be found using this search of legacy systems......
http://download.lenovo.com/eol/index.html
Owner & Operator of the following:
● Lenovo Ideapad Z570 w/ Win 7 & Win 8.1 Dual Boot ● Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro w/ Windows 8.1 ● Toshiba A75-S206 w/ Win 7
● IBM Thinkpad T-23 w/ Win XP ● IBM Thinkpad T-22 w/ Win XP • As well as multiple desktops dual/triple booting XP, Vista and Win 7.
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★ Sorry, I don't answer questions via Private Messages. Posting in the appropriate forum is the best way to get assistance.

How do I update the BIOS?

OK, I finally got my Portege R100 salvaged, and it was a struggle!!! At this point it boots into XP, but I still have a BIOS problem. My current BIOS is 1.6 (the latest) but it does not behave properly so it does not give me the chance to change the boot sequence. This keeps me from running the recovery disk so I need to fix the BIOS.
I have the install packs for 1.6, 1.5, and some of the earlier ones. If I try to reflash 1.6, it tells me that I already have 1.6 (yeah, thanks for that info). If I try to "roll back" to version 1.5, it tells me I am not authorized to do that. So if my BIOS is corrupted and it won't let me reflash the current version, and it won't let me roll backwards, and there is no later version available, what I am supposed to do?
Normally I could burn an ISO image of the BIOS updater and fix it from the CD, but since I can't boot from the CD drive (because of the BIOS problem) . . . well, you get the idea! It also doesn't boot from CD even if I change the boot priority in Toshiba HW Setup (and it used to so I know this hardware is compatible).
Thoughts?

That uses an external USB cd drive doesn't it? The only thing I can think of is to make sure the external is plugged in and recognized while in WIndows, then rebooting the system with the bootable CD in the drive, then pray that it actually offers the option to boot to the external. IF it doesn't I don't know what to tell you as you can't reflash or revert back to a previous flash with a windows based bios flash utility, only one that is run from a self booting disk.
This is one of the many reasons why I consider a laptop that without an optical drive to be a fancy toy rather than a real computer.
If you don't post your COMPLETE model number it's very difficult to assist you. Please try to post in complete sentences with punctuation, capitals, and correct spelling. Toshiba does NOT provide any direct support in these forums. All support is User to User in their spare time.

Tecra S5 - Is it worth to update the BIOS?

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