Take a look at our
ThinkPads.com HOME PAGE
For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message

On the edge with bios

Older ThinkPads from the 300, 500, 600, 700 Series, iSeries, Transnote etc.
Post Reply
Message
Author
skoville
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Mar 29, 2015 8:11 pm
Location: Silver Springs, Nevada

On the edge with bios

#1 Post by skoville » Tue Mar 31, 2015 11:29 am

Well, I can't boot with usb to update BIOS, I've got a pile of cd/dvd's that didn't work. I guess everyone still has floppies but me. Apparently I have to order a floppy drive for the 600e and my desk pc to use once.
No way to get it on a CD?

TrowaBarton
Posts: 44
Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2014 10:36 am
Location: Boston, Mass

Re: On the edge with bios

#2 Post by TrowaBarton » Tue Mar 31, 2015 12:14 pm

The only download appears to make a floppy disk. Can the model boot from CDs at all? It is possible to make a cd boot a floppy image but if the update process needs to write anything to the floppy that won't work.

In reality, when the ultrabay floppy option costs $15 on ebay, you should just buy it:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-IBM-THINKPA ... 4d2d422b53

axur-delmeria
Senior ThinkPadder
Senior ThinkPadder
Posts: 3832
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 5:49 am
Location: Metro Manila, Philippines

Re: On the edge with bios

#3 Post by axur-delmeria » Tue Mar 31, 2015 12:27 pm

It's possible that the 600E's CD drive is not working.
I don't know how difficult finding replacement drives can be.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

MrMaguire
Sophomore Member
Posts: 229
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2011 3:20 pm
Location: Merry Olde England
Contact:

Re: On the edge with bios

#4 Post by MrMaguire » Tue Mar 31, 2015 12:59 pm

With an old computer like that, you'll probably find yourself using floppy disks from time to time. I'd invest in a floppy drive.

skoville
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Mar 29, 2015 8:11 pm
Location: Silver Springs, Nevada

Re: On the edge with bios

#5 Post by skoville » Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:34 pm

In reality, when the ultrabay floppy option costs $15 on ebay, you should just buy it:
Getting one Amazon for $21(case and cable), and another one for the desk top. O yeah, some floppy's. That's $45 all together; to use once. Now that's reality. LOL
It's possible that the 600E's CD drive is not working.
Have used it to install stuff, it works.
With an old computer like that, you'll probably find yourself using floppy disks from time to time. I'd invest in a floppy drive.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.





Thanks guys.

Kasm279
Junior Member
Junior Member
Posts: 260
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2011 6:07 am
Location: Ririe, Idaho

Re: On the edge with bios

#6 Post by Kasm279 » Wed Apr 01, 2015 2:08 am

TrowaBarton wrote:The only download appears to make a floppy disk. Can the model boot from CDs at all?
Yes, the 600E can definitely boot from CD. It cannot, however, boot from USB.
Main: Latitude E6430
Working ThinkPads: IBM 5155, 755C, 755CX, 760ED, 380Z, 600E (x3), i1420, 570E, X20, T23, T30 x3, T43, Z61t, T60p
WIP: 701c (Broken OS), 600 (LCD), PS/2 L40SX (HDD), 570 (No lid), X31 (HDD, LCD), R51 (HDD), Z60t (HDD), X60 (HDD), T400 (LCD), T43p (?)
Dead: i1420 (Mobo, Keyboard)

MrMaguire
Sophomore Member
Posts: 229
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2011 3:20 pm
Location: Merry Olde England
Contact:

Re: On the edge with bios

#7 Post by MrMaguire » Wed Apr 01, 2015 8:39 am

Buying a couple of floppy drives and some disks may not be much of a waste of money. I use floppy disks to run programmes such as Memtest86+, HDAT2, Symantec Ghost and Darik's Boot And Nuke, even on newer computers, using a USB floppy drive. Plus if you come into another older computer, you'll be able to update the BIOS the way the OEM intended. Using CD-Rs or USB flash drives for such small programmes is a waste, and I find that I always need at least one USB flash drive for transferring drivers and what not between computers. By using floppy disks you have a disk dedicated to each programme, so everything is easier to track.

skoville
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Mar 29, 2015 8:11 pm
Location: Silver Springs, Nevada

Re: On the edge with bios

#8 Post by skoville » Wed Apr 01, 2015 9:29 am

Well, whether I like it or not I'm getting the order in. You are right. I've got memtest on my smallest thumb drive, 4G.
I don't think my MOBO even has a regular hook up. So I'm ordering a external with USB.

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “ThinkPad Legacy Hardware”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 21 guests