i m trying to flash my BIOS to try to fix my external HD boot up problem   , so therefore i need a newer BIOS file (R0111g1.WPH) which can only be extracted with a TR3

http://ciscdb.sel.sony.com/perl/swu-download.pl?template=EN&upd_id=1421&os_id=7&mdl=PCGTR3A

can someone please extract it for me ?  or if u r kind enough, please zip and send the whole folder under (C:\Program Files\Phoenix Technologies Ltd) that the .exe created so i can use the latest flasher?  the folder should be less than 1.5 MB…

this shouldn’t take more than a minute.  help guys..  thanks

Slow down. What makes you think the system bios is the problem? It’s very unlikely.

The Sony link IS the BIOS for the TR3A along with an installation program.

mine is not a TR3A.  i download the file but since my TR is not a TR3, therefore, i can’t extract the program and get the file.  so i download the TR2 BIOS installation program instead, so i have access to the flasher, now i just need the BIOS file to flash the BIOS.  it may fixed the problem, it may not, but i m willing to take the risk.  i don’t think flashing the BIOS with a newer version will kill my TR.  i just need the file and i m full responsible but since i can’t get the file i needed, i just need someone to do that for me.  i’ll appreciate the help…

A BIOS is not to be taken lightly…honestly, you have no idea what suttle changes might have taken place between the TRs. Just be forwarned that messing with a BIOS can have lasting effects on your system, to the point of making it a paperweight.

Erik

I see. Brave man. I still suspect your problem lies in the drive itself or the USB drivers.

A BIOS is not to be taken lightly…honestly, you have no idea what suttle changes might have taken place between the TRs. Just be forwarned that messing with a BIOS can have lasting effects on your system, to the point of making it a paperweight.

Erik

i understand that.  i have updated BIOS several times on my man-made machine and i never have problems.  i fully understand the risk

[quote author=“dbs”]I see. Brave man. I still suspect your problem lies in the drive itself or the USB drivers.

it’s impossible if it’s the USB drivers since USB drivers are loaded after u pass the BIOS.  might be the drive and i m going to test it again right now with other PC to see if i see the same problem as with TR.

Good place to start and, yes, brain-fart on my part re drivers. One other thing, simple as it may sound. Try a different USB cable.

i use my friend external HDD and it does the same thing.  BIOS loads so much slower with two HDD on, one internal and one external.  therefore it’s not the HDD problems, it’s the TR.  i have been using the same drive and the same cable with my other laptop over a year now (another sony, VX89, that i recently sold) and i never have the BIOS boot problem as with TR, meaning that with 2 HDD on or with 1 HDD internal VX89, the VX89 BIOS loads approx the same time.  there are two solutions without upgrading my BIOS
1. before i restart, i just have to turn off my external HDD or unplug the USB
2. just live with it

both solutions suck cause for #1, i have to remember each time i do that or if not, i will lose 10+ sec of my life.  if i just have a space to host it, i can record it with my S45 so you guys can see the problems. before i go this route, i ask people here if they see the same thing, but apparently no one see this problem (jiggy replies that with his TR3, when 2 HDD is on, he doesn’t experience this issue).  i don’t heard any reply from TR2 or TR1, therefore i am under impression that TR3 BIOS might fix this problem since TR2 is r007 and TR3 is r011 version

anyway, i m going to bed now.  i hope there is someone that can either confirm that i m not the only one who see this problems, or provide me with the BIOS file.  apparently with two HDD on, the BIOS starts checking each HDD even though in the BIOS setting, there is only one toshiba drive (TR Drive).  how do i know this?  cause when i was waiting for the BIOS, i just unplug the external HDD usb cable, and the BIOS suddenly goes to ‘enter BIOS password’ mode, so i don’t have to wait, just like if u restart without the HDD (VAIO splash logo, intel logo come out, then BIOS password all in an instant). with 2 HDD, it’s like this (VAIO splash log, intel logo, then 10+ secs wait before goes to BIOS password)

I have a TR2, or else I’d help you out.

Erik

File is on its way, gameson. Good luck. It’s for the TR3AP1. Same file name as you requested.

Let us know how it turns out…

If you notice any other changes, let us know…others might be interested.

Erik

:ph34r:  :ph34r:  :ph34r: :ph34r: :ph34r:

bad news - the BIOS flashing doesn’t fix the hdd problem

good news - BIOS can be flashed.  now i have TR2A with BIOS release 11 (TR3 BIOS version)

so for people, especially TR1, wants to flash the BIOS to the latest release, it’s possible…

so now my TR2 is full TR3 spec, all the way to the BIOS.  only one thing i can’t change is the PCG-TR2A(UC) writing.  i think it’s fixed memory along with the serial number, service number, etc.  it can only be program once and uneraseable.

difference (from what i observe)
noticeably faster boot - 1 - 3 seconds faster than release 7 (probably just my feeling)

picture here

Glad it worked.

What are you going to do with all these seconds you’re saving? Personally I like to use my extra seconds for naps and a second (no pun intended) cuppa. :ph34r:

hahahhaahha, i dunno

i m still trying to figure out what’s wrong with the BIOS boot up thing.  but hey, thanks for the file.  i appreciate your help a lot. 

you’re welcome.

I haven’t ever bothered to enter BIOS setup on my TR, but most will allow you to display the preboot operations. If so, watching the listing and seeing where it hangs may give you a clue.