update my Thinkpad T420 BIOS to the latest version :: any ideas were greatly appreciated

[thedighubs]

Dear Community, 🙂


I want to update my T420 BIOS to the latest version. How would you go about it?

BTW: .i am loving the Thinkpad Notebook for its robustness and awesome mechanic. The keyboard is just outstainding. Well - to be frank; I think the T 420 is one of the most robust notebooks ever. It's virtually indestructible!


So, can you give some hints how to update the bios. A friend recommended me to go like so:

fwupdmgr refresh --force

fwupdmgr get-updates

fwupdmgr update

any ideas !?

I look forward to hear from you🙂

 

[pcgeek11]

Are you running Linux?

If so just go here: https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/thinkpad-t-series-laptops/thinkpad-t420/downloads/driver-list/component?name=BIOS/UEFI&id=5AC6A815-321D-440E-8833-B07A93E0428C

and download the "BIOS Update (Bootable CD) and README for BIOS Update (Bootable CD)"

Create a bootable CD or a bootable USB Stick and use it. I did my Thinkpad T480 yesterday running Linux.

 

[thedighubs]

good day dar pcgeek11 many thanks for the quick reply
this is just outstanding and i am very glad to see you sharing your experience--


so great - so helpful,, 🙂




update: did some research: for example regarding Fwupd

https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Fwupd

some musings:

cit: fwupd is a simple daemon to allow session software to update device firmware on the local machine. It's designed for desktops, but also usable on phones and headless servers. Supported devices are listed here and more are to come.

see a list of supported devices: https://fwupd.org/lvfs/devicelist

conclusio: Well we can download the bios for the device from the lenovo website and follow the instructions. we ll probably have to boot into windows. https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/thinkpad-t-420-s-update-the-bios-how-to-do-that/70862

I keep some kind of DOS (FreeDOS I believe) on a bootable USB stick. Most manufacturers still offer DOS-based BIOS upgrades, so it’s mainly downloading, copying to stick, booting stick, executing the .exe, and all is well.

By the way: Some experience: there are not too many that offer fwupd-compatible BIOS upgrades. Then again, some others are more concerned about bringing older hardware back to life. Thats a good thing i think! Well i have to be careful to download the correct BIOS update for the according machine (the T 420S) or motherboard, though! Not all updaters have checking built in, and you can brick your machine using a wrong BIOS!

to sume up: I hope that my model is supported by fwupd then it should work.

i check back the list of supported devices: https://fwupd.org/lvfs/devicelist

dear pcgeek11 - many thanks for your ideas , for sharing your thoughts.
have a great day!! 🙂