The original post: /r/linux by /u/This-Big6607 on 2024-12-27 12:57:28.
I'll tell you the result of BIOS update story. The thing is that I have a laptop around here, a Lenovo x250 that I wanted to use for some tests. The laptop has a 3G/LTE Sierra EM7345 module and I wanted to use it as a modem (WWAN). I already had a Debian installed with various files and stuff, packages installed, etc. When I go to use the WWAN connection it does not work, the interface disappears and it is not possible to connect.
Looking at the dmesg I see some kernel errors related to “Your BIOS is broken; bad RMRR”, looking around they say that the problem is that the BIOS is outdated. Solution, update the BIOS. I go to the Lenovo site, download the bootable BIOS update CD. I put it in a USB, it doesn't boot. I look on the Internet, it doesn't boot. Solution, use a Windows installation CD, go into repair mode, launch CMD and run the BIOS updater that you can download from Lenovo, just the updater. Let's go to it. I go to the Microsoft site, download the CD, put it on a USB, copy the updater, boot Windows 10. All as expected, I have my CMD, run the installer “It is not possible to run this software with this version of Windows”. Wow, it will be that it is very modern, because the installer works with Windows 7 (32 and 64 bits) Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, but it is from 2021, and Windows 10 is from 2024. It will be that.
I have some Windows 7-Upgrade CDs that I bought when it came out, I'm going to use them. I take the CDs out, pull out the USB CD drive, dust it off, boot Windows 7 and it doesn't work, because there is no system to update and I therefore don't have a CMD to run the BIOS updater. I look for a Windows 7 Installation CD, not upgrade, the x32 CD does not work, it says that it is not possible to repair the currently installed windows and I have no CMD. The x64 does not go, idem.
Of course, it is because in the UEFI menu appears an entry of a Windows 10 that there was at some point!!! I boot the Linux, edit the UEFI menu, remove the Windows. I boot again with the Windows 7 CDs. No go. It was not that. I try with a Windows RE, it doesn't work.
I warm up, but I'm not going to open the computer to change the disk to update a BIOS!
I boot the Linux, pull the files on a USB and tired, I install Windows 10. I boot Windows 10, run the BIOS updater, everything perfect, BIOS in the latest version. Great!
I create a bootable Linux pendrive, after downloading the image, etc. I boot the Debian installer, put in the Debian, install the packages, and the kernel still shows the errors and the WWAN modem doesn't go. I enter the BIOS, try to activate an option related to compatibility with operating systems, when I go to save, it gives a space error and does not work. Search on the Internet, the solution, Load BIOS defaults. Great, I reset the values and that's it! Linux does not boot, the UEFI menu information has been erased. It's time to boot in rescue mode, mount the partitions (encrypted, logical volumes, etc.) and reinstall GRUB.
Done, I boot Linux, the modem still does not work. I search the Internet. I find on a kernel bug page something similar to mine, you have to update the Sierra EM7345 modem firmware with Lenovo software... running on Windows 10! #!%$!!@@!
I shut down the PC, open the computer, take out the hard drive, put in a hard drive I have around the house, install Windows 10, install the Lenovo software to update all the drivers, the list is quite large. I reboot, re-test that everything is on the latest version. I put back the hard drive I had before, reboot, test the modem.... finally it works.