Need fix for BIOS upgrade ALWAYS failing on Thinkpad X12 Detachable Gen 1 (Wistron 19835-1) with an unusual version

[braveheartleo]

Good day.

I'm seeking information, advice, or fix for a BIOS upgrade that is always failing on a Thinkpad X12 Detachable Gen 1 (Wistron 19835-1). The failure is indicated as "An unexpected error has occurred, and the process did not complete." as shown in (1) whenever I try upgrading the BIOS via the provided official BIOS bootable CD or BIOS Utility (Windows) update releases, practically EVERY version released for this unit as can be downloaded in (2). I acquired the unit as second hand, and the sticker labels like the CPU/Manufacturer logos and even the factory labels that show the serial number are gone. I have only acquired the details for the machine from the BIOS setup page that is not password protected:

BIOS Version: R!GET31A (1.06)
EC Version: R!GHT30m (1.06)
ME Version: 15.0.10.1447
Machine Type Model: 20UWLKO100
System-unit serial number: 45000002
Sytem board serial number: NWKS08Z1027

As you can see, my version does not correspond to any known publicly released version for this machine. The first factory BIOS version is R1GET31W with EC version R1GHT30W. I tried upgrading the BIOS via all possible tools provided by the manufacturer from the download link and even via Windows update, but none have been able to update the BIOS to a later version. The machine is working normally.

Is there someone here who could help me get this BIOS updated to a later version for this machine that can be successfully updated in the future? I am prepared to do chip flash programming if needed. I'm attaching the BIOS1 and BIOS2 flash dumps from the machine.

/b


(1) https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/sol...-bios-thinkpad
(2) https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/p...ry=BIOS%2FUEFI

[Sparo]

Good day.

BIOS Version: R!GET31A (1.06)
EC Version: R!GHT30m (1.06)
ME Version: 15.0.10.1447
Machine Type Model: 20UWLKO100
System-unit serial number: 45000002
Sytem board serial number: NWKS08Z1027

As you can see, my version does not correspond to any known publicly released version for this machine. The first factory BIOS version is R1GET31W with EC version R1GHT30W. I tried upgrading the BIOS via all possible tools provided by the manufacturer from the download link and even via Windows update, but none have been able to update the BIOS to a later version. The machine is working normally.

Is there someone here who could help me get this BIOS updated to a later version for this machine that can be successfully updated in the future? I am prepared to do chip flash programming if needed. I'm attaching the BIOS1 and BIOS2 flash dumps from the machine.

Hi, your BIOS version is actually 1.06 (R1GET31W), which is the oldest BIOS version available on the Lenovo website. Your EC version is 1.06 (R1GHT30W)
That said, write this file to the "bios1" chip only. Do not touch the "bios2" chip. Then let us know the results. Good Luck!

Lenovo X12 Detachable Gen 1 (Type 20UW, 20UV) Laptop (ThinkPad) - Type 20UW
BIOS Version 1.43 (R1GET68W)
WinKey/1320000-132FFFF

[Sparo]

Good day.

BIOS Version: R!GET31A (1.06)
EC Version: R!GHT30m (1.06)
ME Version: 15.0.10.1447
Machine Type Model: 20UWLKO100
System-unit serial number: 45000002
Sytem board serial number: NWKS08Z1027

As you can see, my version does not correspond to any known publicly released version for this machine. The first factory BIOS version is R1GET31W with EC version R1GHT30W. I tried upgrading the BIOS via all possible tools provided by the manufacturer from the download link and even via Windows update, but none have been able to update the BIOS to a later version. The machine is working normally.

Is there someone here who could help me get this BIOS updated to a later version for this machine that can be successfully updated in the future? I am prepared to do chip flash programming if needed. I'm attaching the BIOS1 and BIOS2 flash dumps from the machine.

Hi, your BIOS version is actually 1.06 (R1GET31W), which is the oldest BIOS version available on the Lenovo website. Your EC version is 1.06 (R1GHT30W)
That said, write this file to the "bios1" chip only. Do not touch the "bios2" chip. Then let us know the results. Good Luck!

Lenovo X12 Detachable Gen 1 (Type 20UW, 20UV) Laptop (ThinkPad) - Type 20UW
BIOS Version 1.43 (R1GET68W)
WinKey/1320000-132FFFF

[braveheartleo]

Hi, your BIOS version is actually 1.06 (R1GET31W), which is the oldest BIOS version available on the Lenovo website. Your EC version is 1.06 (R1GHT30W)
That said, write this file to the "bios1" chip only. Do not touch the "bios2" chip. Then let us know the results. Good Luck!

Lenovo X12 Detachable Gen 1 (Type 20UW, 20UV) Laptop (ThinkPad) - Type 20UW
BIOS Version 1.43 (R1GET68W)
WinKey/1320000-132FFFF

Understood. Thank you for the file. I will report back as soon as I'm able.

/b

[braveheartleo]

Hi, your BIOS version is actually 1.06 (R1GET31W), which is the oldest BIOS version available on the Lenovo website. Your EC version is 1.06 (R1GHT30W)
That said, write this file to the "bios1" chip only. Do not touch the "bios2" chip. Then let us know the results. Good Luck!

Lenovo X12 Detachable Gen 1 (Type 20UW, 20UV) Laptop (ThinkPad) - Type 20UW
BIOS Version 1.43 (R1GET68W)
WinKey/1320000-132FFFF

Good day.

Thank you very much for the BIOS update! I have flashed it a while ago and it works! It got updated to latest BIOS version 1.43 (R1GET68W). However, the EC version remained at 1.06 (R1GHT30m). I would think that the EC would get updated along with the latest BIOS but this didn't happen. Would you know the reason why?

Looks like I'm gonna need a separate EC firmware mod to flash to the BIOS2 chip, if this is even possible. Great work nonetheless

/b

[Sparo]

Good day.

Thank you very much for the BIOS update! I have flashed it a while ago and it works! It got updated to latest BIOS version 1.43 (R1GET68W). However, the EC version remained at 1.06 (R1GHT30m). I would think that the EC would get updated along with the latest BIOS but this didn't happen. Would you know the reason why?

Looks like I'm gonna need a separate EC firmware mod to flash to the BIOS2 chip, if this is even possible. Great work nonetheless

/b

Hello, If you can program the EC as well, I can send you the latest EC firmware
Leave the bios2 chip alone, it's likely for BIOS recovery and has nothing to do with the EC
You could also try installing this update and see if it updates the EC as well. Normally, it should

Let it install. Give it all the time and reboots it needs to complete > https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/r1guj27w.exe

[braveheartleo]

Hello, If you can program the EC as well, I can send you the latest EC firmware
Leave the bios2 chip alone, it's likely for BIOS recovery and has nothing to do with the EC

Understood, It doesn't make sense to me that the 32MB BIOS2 chip would host the EC firmware.

You could also try installing this update and see if it updates the EC as well. Normally, it should

Let it install. Give it all the time and reboots it needs to complete > https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/r1guj27w.exe

I did try running that Windows utility by selecting EXTRACT ONLY instead of INSTALL. On the first run (winuptp64.exe) it wouldn't update because it determined that the flasher and BIOS versions are the same. I then proceeded to move the .FL1 flash file from the R1GET68W folder where the utility extracted the contents, so that the .FL2 is the only one remaining and then on the second run it said that the BIOS update would finish upon restarting, which it did. Then on the red Lenovo logo a message appeared "Upgrading Embedded Controller firmware", and after that it restarted.

So I checked in setup the EC version and found that it didn't update and remained at version 1.06. However, upon getting a flash dump of the BIOS1 chip and extracting the flash regions of the dump, I found that in flashregion_8_ec there it wrote the EC firmware version 1.19 (R1GHT43W). Nevertheless this did not update the EC. So I'm still at a loss on why it didn't update.

/b

[braveheartleo]

By the way, am I correct that the BIOS file you provided contained a digital windows license (WinKey)? Originally this unit had lost this digital license. After flashing the file, I noticed that in the setup information page there isn't any item showing about the presence of a Windows license. I'm thinking this could be because the EEPROM of this unit could be missing some EEPROM data like the type11 preload string?

Can you provide some guidance on rebuilding those EEPROM data? I checked with Thinkpad Maintenance Utility verson 1.19 and there isn't any data about any type11 preload string on this machine. Would you know where to get an updated or latest version of the aforementioned utility?

Many thanks for the great help

/b

[Sparo]

I don't know of any v1.20+ version, so I'm not really sure (I personally use v1.11)

[braveheartleo]

Sparo Copy that. You might want to give v1.19 a try. It has the ability to write Internal LAN MAC address, which I found doesn't exist in v1.11 that I previously used.

[Sparo]

I will most definitely try that version. Thanks for the information! 🙏

[Sparo]

I did try running that Windows utility by selecting EXTRACT ONLY instead of INSTALL. On the first run (winuptp64.exe) it wouldn't update because it determined that the flasher and BIOS versions are the same. I then proceeded to move the .FL1 flash file from the R1GET68W folder where the utility extracted the contents, so that the .FL2 is the only one remaining and then on the second run it said that the BIOS update would finish upon restarting, which it did. Then on the red Lenovo logo a message appeared "Upgrading Embedded Controller firmware", and after that it restarted.

So I checked in setup the EC version and found that it didn't update and remained at version 1.06. However, upon getting a flash dump of the BIOS1 chip and extracting the flash regions of the dump, I found that in flashregion_8_ec there it wrote the EC firmware version 1.19 (R1GHT43W). Nevertheless this did not update the EC. So I'm still at a loss on why it didn't update.

/b

I read this on the Lenovo website: "BIOS version 1.36 has been removed due to critical error when updating the BIOS (the Winflash tool will fail when Winflash the EC in the OS, the issue will be fixed when the new Winflash tool is released subsequently)"

They say BIOS 1.36 was removed, but it still seems to be available. The one that was actually withdrawn is version 1.41 (R1GET66W), which is the version before the latest one
So maybe the issue still exists in that release. Try the ISO version instead: https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/r1gur27w.iso
README (Bootable CD): https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/m.../r1gur27w.html

[braveheartleo]

Try the ISO version instead: https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/r1gur27w.iso
README (Bootable CD): https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/m.../r1gur27w.html

I forgot to mention that I have also tried that Bootable ISO flasher. When before (BIOS version 1.06) it stops with an error, now it proceeded to flash and that the BIOS flashing will complete upon a reboot. It restarted, then on the logo with the updating EC firmware version and restarted once more. It ended up not updating the EC, same as the Windows utility.

/b

[Sparo]

I forgot to mention that I have also tried that Bootable ISO flasher. When before (BIOS version 1.06) it stops with an error, now it proceeded to flash and that the BIOS flashing will complete upon a reboot. It restarted, then on the logo with the updating EC firmware version and restarted once more. It ended up not updating the EC, same as the Windows utility.

/b

Alright, check the BIOS settings again and tell me the exact EC version you have. I'll make you a compatible BIOS version that you could update

[braveheartleo]

Alright, check the BIOS settings again and tell me the exact EC version you have. I'll make you a compatible BIOS version that you could update

Here are the BIOS and EC versions as written in the Setup Information page in the BIOS:

BIOS Version: R1GET68W (1.46 )
EC Version: R1GHT30m (1.06 )

I can provide a photo of this information if needed.

/b

[Sparo]

Here are the BIOS and EC versions as written in the Setup Information page in the BIOS:

BIOS Version: R1GET68W (1.46 )
EC Version: R1GHT30m (1.06 )

I can provide a photo of this information if needed.

/b

I don't understand why your ECP Version is showing as R1GHT30m instead of R1GHT30W
Anyway, write this BIOS file first, then update to this version and see if it updates both the UEFI BIOS and the ECP
Package (R1GUJ11W) / UEFI BIOS 1.21 (R1GET46W) / ECP 1.16 (R1GHT40W) > https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/r1guj13w.exe

Lenovo X12 Detachable Gen 1 (Type 20UW, 20UV) Laptop (ThinkPad) - Type 20UW
BIOS Version 1.06 (R1GET31W) & ECP Version 1.06 (R1GHT30W)
WinKey/1320000-132FFFF

[braveheartleo]

I don't understand why your ECP Version is showing as R1GHT30m instead of R1GHT30W
Anyway, write this BIOS file first, then update to this version and see if it updates both the UEFI BIOS and the ECP
Package (R1GUJ11W) / UEFI BIOS 1.21 (R1GET46W) / ECP 1.16 (R1GHT40W) > https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles/r1guj13w.exe

Lenovo X12 Detachable Gen 1 (Type 20UW, 20UV) Laptop (ThinkPad) - Type 20UW
BIOS Version 1.06 (R1GET31W) & ECP Version 1.06 (R1GHT30W)
WinKey/1320000-132FFFF

That makes two of us. I don't know why this unit has R1GET31A instead of R1GET31W for BIOS version 1.06, and R1GHT30m instead of R1GHT30W for EC version 1.06. These two unusual versions are what I thought prevented the installation of ALL BIOS updates released for this machine, all of which ends in a W.

I will report back when I'm able to flash the file and update to BIOS version 1.21 and EC version 1.16 using the file in the URL. Thank you once more for the firmware build.

/b

[Sparo]

That makes two of us. I don't know why this unit has R1GET31A instead of R1GET31W for BIOS version 1.06, and R1GHT30m instead of R1GHT30W for EC version 1.06. These two unusual versions are what I thought prevented the installation of ALL BIOS updates released for this machine, all of which ends in a W.

I will report back when I'm able to flash the file and update to BIOS version 1.21 and EC version 1.16 using the file in the URL. Thank you once more for the firmware build.

/b

You're welcome! I hope it fixes the update issue for you. Good luck!

[braveheartleo]

You're welcome! I hope it fixes the update issue for you. Good luck!

Good day.

Thank you very much for your patience and continuing help with regard to my issue.

I have flashed your firmware build version 1.06. I immediately noticed after the flash that the BIOS version now reports R1GET31W (1.06 ) BUT the EC version remained at R1GHT30m (1.06 ). Nevertheless I proceeded to update the BIOS to the release provided in the URL. I did BOTH Windows and Bootable ISO flashers, and in both instances it appeared that the BIOS update will push through and that it stated the BIOS flashing will complete after restart.

So it restarted the machine in each instance, BUT I was met with a black screen with the POWER and red THINKPAD logo LEDs blinking like breathing, suggesting that the machine was put to sleep by the EC. It seems that the EC is refusing this update, and what's even worse is that the CPU temps kept rising. I gave it a couple of minutes like 10 or so, but there is no response from the machine and yet the CPU temp kept rising to worrying levels, so I had to cut the power. It booted again and returned to BIOS and EC versions R1GET31W (1.06 ) and R1GHT30m (1.06 ) respectively.

I don't know how to proceed from here. Looks like the EC doesn't want to take update and puts the machine to sleep. I guess I'll just take what I can with an updated BIOS but outdated EC using your last firmware build version 1.43.

EDIT: BTW, would know how to reprogram the EC on this machine? And what chip would it be?

/b

[Sparo]

Good day.

Thank you very much for your patience and continuing help with regard to my issue.

I have flashed your firmware build version 1.06. I immediately noticed after the flash that the BIOS version now reports R1GET31W (1.06 ) BUT the EC version remained at R1GHT30m (1.06 ). Nevertheless I proceeded to update the BIOS to the release provided in the URL. I did BOTH Windows and Bootable ISO flashers, and in both instances it appeared that the BIOS update will push through and that it stated the BIOS flashing will complete after restart.

So it restarted the machine in each instance, BUT I was met with a black screen with the POWER and red THINKPAD logo LEDs blinking like breathing, suggesting that the machine was put to sleep by the EC. It seems that the EC is refusing this update, and what's even worse is that the CPU temps kept rising. I gave it a couple of minutes like 10 or so, but there is no response from the machine and yet the CPU temp kept rising to worrying levels, so I had to cut the power. It booted again and returned to BIOS and EC versions R1GET31W (1.06 ) and R1GHT30m (1.06 ) respectively.

I don't know how to proceed from here. Looks like the EC doesn't want to take update and puts the machine to sleep. I guess I'll just take what I can with an updated BIOS but outdated EC using your last firmware build version 1.43.

/b

Yea, since your EC/SIO (most likely a MEC1503) isn't supported yet by any hardware programmer
(Well, unless SMDFlea, Maxpower3 or m1ch43lzm has a different approach/workaround)

[braveheartleo]

Yea, since your EC/SIO (most likely a MEC1503) isn't supported yet by any hardware programmer
(Well, unless SMDFlea, Maxpower3 or m1ch43lzm has a different approach/workaround)

Thanks for the info. I'll just have to wait then for progress regarding this EC/SIO before returning back to flashing the EC on this machine to the latest. Is there cause for concern if the BIOS is 1.43 but the EC is 1.06 instead of 1.19? This isn't the ideal setup but I gave this a test drive and didn't notice any issue so far.

/b

[mactouch]

Lenovo Thinkpad X12 Detachable Gen 1
Serial number : PW034YQQ
Board no : LHA1 TGL MB 19835-3
bios1,bios2 file attached:

[peste]

post merged..next time look for a thread with the name and model, motherboard model of the laptop, and post there, if you can't find it, then make a new thread..

read the forum rules..
https://www.badcaps.net/forum/troubl...before-posting