BIOS Update

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RonH
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BIOS Update

Post by RonH »

BIOS Update version NCCN20WW released July 2024 for my Lenovo Yoga Laptop.
I guess that by now if there were any 'issues' they have been resolved ... anyone familiar with this update?
Also, should such updates be routinely installed ... they only seem to be released during the early life of a Windows device and its the one update that I fret over :sad:
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HansV
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Re: BIOS Update

Post by HansV »

BIOS updates are released by the computer manufacturer - their frequency may vary. I have a Dell desktop and laptop and both receive several BIOS updates per year. I have never experienced a problem installing them.
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RonH
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Re: BIOS Update

Post by RonH »

Thanks Hans ... I also never had issues in the past with either HP or Lenovo so I might have a glass of 'red' and push the start control
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Re: BIOS Update

Post by stuck »

RonH wrote:
18 Nov 2024, 15:24
BIOS Update ... for my Lenovo Yoga Laptop...
I have a Lenovo LOQ laptop for just over a year. It came with an application called Lenovo Vantage, which amongst other things, can check for and install (Lenovo) updates. It doesn't run unless I invoke it but I do so each month, when Windows Updates arrive. I'm not at my laptop at the moment so I can't confirm but I think Vantage has installed at least three BIOS updates in the (short) time I've had this machine. I've installed them all and never had any trouble with any of them. Vantage requires you to plug your laptop into the mains before it will do a BIOS update.

If your machine has Vantage on it, I'd use it. If you've not got it, you might be able to get it by starting from this page:
    https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/gb/en

Ken

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RonH
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Re: BIOS Update

Post by RonH »

Thanks Ken.
Yes, my Yoga has Vantage which is where I found the outstanding BIOS. I will action update tomorrow. From readings it is clear that these days one can be (mostly) confident.
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Re: BIOS Update

Post by Rebel »

I just this minute finished a BIOS update on my Lenovo laptop. I think this is now the fourth flash that I've done and there has been absolutely no problem. At one time, the advice was "If it ain't broke .........." for if you didn't know what you were doing (and sometimes even if you did), there was a real possibility that that a botched flash would lead to an expensive "brick". Things have changed for the better.
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Re: BIOS Update

Post by RonH »

That's good to know, John.
I haven't needed to BIOS flash for some years but I well recall the times to which you refer.
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Re: BIOS Update

Post by stuck »

If you are using Vantage, and you said you are, it should be no more scary than a Windows update. It will only take a few mins. NB the fans may become very noisy for a short time.

Ken

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Re: BIOS Update

Post by StuartR »

Many of the BIOS updates for my DELL laptop are to address potential security issues, so I always install them
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Re: BIOS Update

Post by BobH »

I haven't flashed a BIOS in years. I think that's because my system were so old; however, I now have 2 systems running Windows 11 so perhaps I should check to see if there are BIOS updates for them. Neither is new in market terms but both are faily new to me, having been acquired within the last year.

Thanks for the reminder! :cheers:
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RonH
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Re: BIOS Update

Post by RonH »

Sorted ... very straight forward and informative during the update.

Just 5 years ago the advice HansV wrote to me:
I agree with "Don't update' unless you have obvious problems". I'd leave it as it is unless your laptop is experiencing problems.

How times have changed (in some respects) for the better :cheers:
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Re: BIOS Update

Post by Leif »

BobH wrote:
19 Nov 2024, 00:28
I haven't flashed a BIOS in years. I think that's because my system were so old; however, I now have 2 systems running Windows 11 so perhaps I should check to see if there are BIOS updates for them. Neither is new in market terms but both are faily new to me, having been acquired within the last year.

Thanks for the reminder! :cheers:
Don't forget that (ideally) you should be running off a UPS backup when installing BIOS updates.
Leif

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RonH
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Re: BIOS Update

Post by RonH »

I guess it's OK to just rely on (say) internal battery if updating a laptop. This assumes a good, charged battery.

If also plugged into the mains then I guess the BIOS update would not fail should the mains power suffer outage. Correct?
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Re: BIOS Update

Post by StuartR »

Yes, that is correct
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Re: BIOS Update

Post by stuck »

StuartR wrote:
19 Nov 2024, 10:54
Yes, that is correct
Except, for my Lenovo LOQ laptop anyway, Lenovo Vantage requires the machine to be plugged into the mains before it will do a BIOS update. No mains, no BIOS update.

Ken

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Re: BIOS Update

Post by RonH »

I assume, Ken, that you deploy a UPS just in case of a mains power flick/failure during the update?

Vantage will likely have standard requirements for all included laptops ... with power failures not uncommon here then I best invest in UPS or opt to ignore BIOS updates. Seems a strange policy of Lenovo because I am guessing that 99% of users have no knowledge of this requirement... including me until now.
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Re: BIOS Update

Post by Leif »

stuck wrote:
19 Nov 2024, 15:11
Except, for my Lenovo LOQ laptop anyway, Lenovo Vantage requires the machine to be plugged into the mains before it will do a BIOS update. No mains, no BIOS update.

Ken
My guess would be that this prevents folks from attempting an update when they are on their last 3% of battery...
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Re: BIOS Update

Post by RonH »

Leif,
From your post I'm guessing that Lenovo only require mains to start the update eg a power flick/failure during process is OK... providing your battery doesn't go flat :flee:
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Re: BIOS Update

Post by Leif »

That would be my assumption, yes!
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Re: BIOS Update

Post by stuck »

RonH wrote:
20 Nov 2024, 06:13
I assume, Ken, that you deploy a UPS just in case of a mains power flick/failure during the update?
:nope: until it came up in this topic I can't say I've ever thought about it.

However, I think the risk of damage is low. I've never noticed the slightest flicker during normal use if my laptop is plugged in and I just pull out the power cable. I'm guessing that's because even when it is plugged in it's still running off the battery, i.e. the battery is simultaneously providing power and recharging. In other words it's behaving like a UPS.

Ken