updating T480 bios without Windows (I use Linux)

[redglow]

I bought a set of three t480 laptops from an auction. They didn’t come with any hard drive. I have an SSD that runs Linux. How can I update the BIOS/firmware without Windows?


I’m on https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/prod ... 7A93E0428C

I click the blue Download button on the “BIOS Update (Bootable CD)” row. It downloads https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/n24ur36w.iso. In my Linux Mint, I run “USB Image Writer” and use that to put that iso onto a USB thumb drive. I restart the computer, then press f1, then choose to boot from a different media/device. I choose the 8GB thumb drive, but it doesn’t work. Can someone please help?

[RealBlackStuff]

Either use a CD/DVD-drive or use geteltorito to make a bootable USB stick.
And see this: https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&p=873556

[axur-delmeria]

There's Fwupd for updating firmware on Linux (needs UEFI mode): https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Fwupd

[redglow]

There's Fwupd for updating firmware on Linux (needs UEFI mode): https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Fwupd

hi axur-delmeria,
I ran a fwupd command on my linux, but i think it's just to update the Intel. this is the command i ran:

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 sudo fwupdmgr --allow-older --allow-reinstall install Lenovo-ThinkPad-T480-ConsumerMEFirmware-11.8.93.4323.cab

I'm guessing you're not talking about updating the intel device, right?

[redglow]

Either use a CD/DVD-drive or use geteltorito to make a bootable USB stick.
And see this: https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&p=873556

Is the method axur-delmeria suggested (fwupd) better than the geteltorito method?

[axur-delmeria]

Lenovo-ThinkPad-T480-ConsumerMEFirmware-11.8.93.4323.cab

That's the Intel Management Engine firmware update. If that's the only one that fwupd found, then you probably have the latest BIOS.

You can go to fwupd.org and check it yourself: https://fwupd.org/lvfs/search?value=thinkpad+t480

[RealBlackStuff]

I don't use Linux, so don't know which method is better.

[redglow]

Lenovo-ThinkPad-T480-ConsumerMEFirmware-11.8.93.4323.cab

That's the Intel Management Engine firmware update. If that's the only one that fwupd found, then you probably have the latest BIOS.

You can go to fwupd.org and check it yourself: https://fwupd.org/lvfs/search?value=thinkpad+t480

You wrote " If that's the only one that fwupd found, then you probably have the latest BIOS. "
I neglected to mention that I did not use fwupd to search for all possible updates. Rather, I manually downloadaed that cab (packaged in a zip) from the thinkpad website https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/prod ... river-list

I don't think I have the latest BIOS.

[TPFanatic]

If you go into BIOS setup you'll know for sure what version you have, then compare that to what's available on Lenovo.

Even then why not just use Windows or Hirens for the BIOS update? You can do it totally offline. Microsoft won't know anything or care.

[redglow]

If you go into BIOS setup you'll know for sure what version you have, then compare that to what's available on Lenovo.

Even then why not just use Windows or Hirens for the BIOS update? You can do it totally offline. Microsoft won't know anything or care.

Thank you for your reply. My three t480 laptops did not come with any storage device. In other words it did not come with windows.
This is the first time I've heard of hirens. I'm willing to use that if it's much easier than trying to update the BIOS with Linux.

[TPFanatic]

If the laptops were ever originally equipped with Windows then they are still licensed for Windows and you could have that, if you wanted (I understand you do not). But even unlicensed Windows is capable of running a BIOS flash. You could even install a modified Windows eg. Tiny10 by NTDEV. Sorry I can't be any help on the Linux front.

[redglow]

If the laptops were ever originally equipped with Windows then they are still licensed for Windows and you could have that, if you wanted (I understand you do not). But even unlicensed Windows is capable of running a BIOS flash. You could even install a modified Windows eg. Tiny10 by NTDEV. Sorry I can't be any help on the Linux front.

If I get Tiny10, does that mean it has to take over my Linux SSD (wiping all my files away)?

[TPFanatic]

I think you can install on a USB. Can you use another ssd to be safe? Or just do Hirens. I successfully use Hirens on Ventoy. I tend to spit out options since there's just so many good ones. I'm surprised if there's no way to update bios in Linux. I believe Ubuntu does pull down the Lenovo BIOS flash downloads. You can try asking on reddit.com/r/thinkpad about Linux help, they're all over themselves with Linux over there.

[RealBlackStuff]

What's wrong with the geteltorito method?
You only need to make 1 USB-stick under Linux and use that on all T480 machines.
Here's another version: How to update Lenovo BIOS from Linux without using Windows

[axur-delmeria]

I'm surprised if there's no way to update bios in Linux. I believe Ubuntu does pull down the Lenovo BIOS flash downloads.

I already mention fwupd in an earlier post. Ubuntu most likely uses Gnome's GUI which actually makes use of fwupd under the hood.

[TPFanatic]

I know but somehow OP is still asking for help

[axur-delmeria]

He ran a specific fwupd command, one that updates the IME firmware. I don't get why he doesn't use it to check for BIOS/UEFI updates, since the Arch wiki page I linked to in my earliest post has the proper commands.

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fwupdmgr refresh

Checks Linux Vendor firmware Service (LVFS) for updates

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fwupdmgr get-updates

Shows updates that are available for the system

And he still doesn't know whether he's on the latest BIOS version or not.

[TPFanatic]

Reminds me of that 90s-y2k infomercial about the woman who bought a personal computer and can't use it.

[redglow]

I think you can install on a USB. Can you use another ssd to be safe?

I only have one internal storage: an SSD. I have two other storage mediums: an 8GB thumb drive and a 2TB external USB hard drive.

Or just do Hirens. I successfully use Hirens on Ventoy.

okay, I'll look up "hirens on ventoy".

I'm surprised if there's no way to update bios in Linux.

the official thinkpad website does use the word "Linux". https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/prod ... s/ds502355 says "BIOS Update (Utility & Bootable CD) for Windows 11, 10 (64-bit), Linux - ThinkPad T480".

I guess i just need to understand how to make it work.

I believe Ubuntu does pull down the Lenovo BIOS flash downloads.

what does it mean for ubuntu to pull down the bios flash downloads? i'm on linux mint, which is a derivative of ubuntu.

You can try asking on reddit.com/r/thinkpad about Linux help, they're all over themselves with Linux over there.

Thank you for suggesting this as a 2nd place i can seek help.

[redglow]

What's wrong with the geteltorito method?
You only need to make 1 USB-stick under Linux and use that on all T480 machines.
Here's another version: How to update Lenovo BIOS from Linux without using Windows

It sounds like geletorito is simple -- just one usb stick "flashed" in linux. perhaps I should look into this. thank you. sometimes i can get overwhelmed with all the options. thank you once again.

[redglow]

He ran a specific fwupd command, one that updates the IME firmware. I don't get why he doesn't use it to check for BIOS/UEFI updates, since the Arch wiki page I linked to in my earliest post has the proper commands.

Code: Select all

fwupdmgr refresh

Checks Linux Vendor firmware Service (LVFS) for updates

~$ fwupdmgr refresh
Updating lvfs
Downloading… [***************************************]
Successfully downloaded new metadata: 3 local devices supported

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fwupdmgr get-updates

Shows updates that are available for the system

fwupdmgr get-updates
Devices with no available firmware updates:
• T-FORCE 1TB
• UEFI Device Firmware
• UEFI Device Firmware
• UEFI dbx
Devices not currently updatable:
• Embedded Controller — Cannot install update when not on AC power
• Intel Management Engine — Cannot install update when not on AC power
• System Firmware — Cannot install update when not on AC power
No updates available

And he still doesn't know whether he's on the latest BIOS version or not.

to find this latest bios, must i reboot and press Esc to enter BIOS? Is that the only way, or can I find this bios version while inside Linux Mint OS ?

[axur-delmeria]

System Firmware — Cannot install update when not on AC power
No updates available

System Firmware is the BIOS/UEFI.

Since it says no updates available, either the T480 BIOS update is not available in LVFS (AFAIK it is), or you already have the latest version.

[RealBlackStuff]

Time to download the T480 Manual (HMM) and T480 Userguide, read them, PLUS go into BIOS to check your BIOS version and tell us.
You seem to be unwilling to do even the most basic things...

[axur-delmeria]

Besides the BIOS setup menu, there's a way to see the BIOS/UEFI version on Linux-- I usually install a "system information viewer" program named lshw-gtk (as the package is called in Debian). Its UI is a bit clunky but serviceable-- There are 4 columns, with the rightmost one showing the details of the particular item. The first three columns are for navigation, and are filled if the selected item has multiple contents (like going down a directory tree, honestly, I don't get why this program doesn't use a directory tree like Windows' Device Manager).

In my Thinkpad, it goes like Notebook --> Motherboard --> BIOS , and the rightmost pane shows the version number and other details.

[rumbero]

There is no need to use any specific program to find out the current BIOS version on any Thinkpad.
There is a wealth of information readily avaialble via the /sys file system:

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# ls /sys/class/dmi/id/
bios_date        board_vendor       ec_firmware_release  product_uuid
bios_release     board_version      modalias             product_version
bios_vendor      chassis_asset_tag  power                subsystem
bios_version     chassis_serial     product_family       sys_vendor
board_asset_tag  chassis_type       product_name         uevent
board_name       chassis_vendor     product_serial
board_serial     chassis_version    product_sku
# cat /sys/class/dmi/id/bios_release 
1.47

Hope this helps.

[redglow]

There is no need to use any specific program to find out the current BIOS version on any Thinkpad.
There is a wealth of information readily avaialble via the /sys file system:

Code: Select all

# ls /sys/class/dmi/id/
bios_date        board_vendor       ec_firmware_release  product_uuid
bios_release     board_version      modalias             product_version
bios_vendor      chassis_asset_tag  power                subsystem
bios_version     chassis_serial     product_family       sys_vendor
board_asset_tag  chassis_type       product_name         uevent
board_name       chassis_vendor     product_serial
board_serial     chassis_version    product_sku
# cat /sys/class/dmi/id/bios_release 
1.47

Hope this helps.

Here's my output:


ls /sys/class/dmi/id/
bios_date board_vendor ec_firmware_release product_uuid
bios_release board_version modalias product_version
bios_vendor chassis_asset_tag power subsystem
bios_version chassis_serial product_family sys_vendor
board_asset_tag chassis_type product_name uevent
board_name chassis_vendor product_serial
board_serial chassis_version product_sku


~$ cat /sys/class/dmi/id/bios_release
1.21