Installing BIOS from a bootable CD-ROM



Document ID: 98080064

 

Posted Date: 2002-09-06

 

Last Updated: 2002-08-26

 

Distribution: View Public Website

 

Applicable Models
Satellite All
Portege All
Tecra All
Satellite Pro All

 

Issue
Installing BIOS updates requires a floppy diskette drive (FDD), but a FDD was not originally bundled with your model.

For many models, Toshiba has begun providing a Windows-based (NT/XP/2000) BIOS installer alongside the traditional diskette-installed BIOS package.

Still, under some circumstances, a Windows-based installer either isn't provided, or isn't supported by the operating system you have installed on your system.

Resolution
If you have access to another PC that has a FDD, a CD-R/RW drive, and CD authoring software capable of creating a bootable CD-ROM, you can use that system to create a bootable BIOS installation CD.
Procedure
These instructions assume you are well-versed in CD-ROM authoring or that you have an intermediate to expert skill level with PCs and CD authoring in general.

Requirements:

  • Your Toshiba notebook PC must have a bootable CD-ROM (CD-R/RW/DVD) drive
  • A separate PC with both 1.44MB diskette drive and CD-R/RW drive
  • CD authoring software that can produce a bootable CD in the installed CD burner. Capable software includes Nero, RSJ, Easy CD Creator, and others.


Steps

  • Create the BIOS installation diskette following the instructions in the README file that came with the downloaded BIOS.
  • Following your CD authoring software's instructions, create a bootable CD using the BIOS installation diskette as the 1.44MB image source.
  • Set the boot priority on your Toshiba notebook PC to boot from the CD-ROM before the HDD
  • Insert the bootable BIOS installation CD that you created into the notebook's CD-ROM drive
  • Turn the notebook on. The notebook should boot from the CD-ROM and install the BIOS.
  • When the BIOS update is complete, eject the CD and reboot the notebook.


Common questions:

Q: Why doesn't Toshiba just provide an ISO image of the bootable BIOS installation CD?
A: Good news! Where appropriate, BIOS packages released beginning in mid-December 2002, now include an ISO image of the bootable BIOS installation CD. This document will be updated soon to reflect the addition of the ISO image.

Q: Can I use a rewriteable CD to create the bootable BIOS installation CD?
A: Yes. Since a BIOS install is an occasional one-time operation, using a CD-RW disc is recommended if your CD burner supports it. You should erase the disc before you begin.

Export Control and EULA
Use of any software made available for download from this system constitutes your acceptance of the Export Control Terms and the terms in the Dynabook end-user license agreement both of which you can view before downloading any such software.