Don't want to see articles from a certain category? When logged in, go to your User Settings and adjust your feed in the Content Preferences section where you can block tags!
Lenovo bios update?
Guppy Apr 20, 2022
So it seems a critical bios update has been released for my laptop:
https://it.slashdot.org/story/22/04/19/2118232/hackers-can-infect-over-100-lenovo-models-with-unremovable-malware

except of course it comes as a windows 11/10 .exe only

I'm 99.9% certain that running that though wine would brick my laptop, so what options are there? does windows have a 'live usb' option, and is that reliable enough to flash a bios?

( not a troll question, I've genuinely not use windows for properly 15+ years - so I've not the foggiest idea )
whizse Apr 20, 2022
Looks like you should be able to extract the needed firmware and do the update manually (at least for some models):
https://bladecoder.medium.com/flash-your-lenovo-ideapad-laptop-bios-from-linux-using-uefi-capsule-updates-a82e455ea29c

It's easier for the ThinkPad models. Most are supported (to some degree) via LVFS.
Guppy Apr 20, 2022
Quoting: whizseLooks like you should be able to extract the needed firmware and do the update manually (at least for some models):
https://bladecoder.medium.com/flash-your-lenovo-ideapad-laptop-bios-from-linux-using-uefi-capsule-updates-a82e455ea29c

It's easier for the ThinkPad models. Most are supported (to some degree) via LVFS.

Nice one sadly no .cap file for me though :(
mr-victory Apr 20, 2022
Quoting: Guppyoes windows have a 'live usb' option
There are community-made WinPE (preinstall environment, what is used by windows installer) based live images.
Quoting: Guppyand is that reliable enough to flash a bios
I am not sure of that.

I would ask the official support how to upgrade the firmware on Linux or install Windows.
Guppy Apr 21, 2022
Quoting: mr-victoryI would ask the official support how to upgrade the firmware on Linux or install Windows.

I did, my ticket got canceled without comment :|

Guess I'll just ignore the issue >_>
GustyGhost Apr 21, 2022
You might have to resort to one of these. Though if I were in your position I would just move to some board that isn't so dreadfully unsupported.
g000h Apr 21, 2022
Quoting: Guppy
Quoting: whizseLooks like you should be able to extract the needed firmware and do the update manually (at least for some models):
https://bladecoder.medium.com/flash-your-lenovo-ideapad-laptop-bios-from-linux-using-uefi-capsule-updates-a82e455ea29c

It's easier for the ThinkPad models. Most are supported (to some degree) via LVFS.

Nice one sadly no .cap file for me though :(

I don't know which BIOS you need to use (i.e. What's your laptop model?), but I did a little random test for myself.

I visited here and found the list of affected Lenovo laptops and chose one at random..
https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/product_security/LEN-73440#Lenovo%20Notebook

This is the one I chose:
https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/3-series/ideapad-3-14iml05/downloads/driver-list/component?name=BIOS%2FUEFI

I picked up the dxcn39ww.exe BIOS file from that page, and ran innoextract on it.
Innoextract created a new folder ( ~/codeGetExtractPath ) with similar-named file inside, e.g. DXCN39WW.exe

I opened the second file with Gnome's Archive Manager and I could access all the files. There wasn't a .CAP file but I did spot a BIOS.fd file (18.1MB). I expect this file is exactly the same thing (just a different name).

So, potentially, you could grab "that" file (for your specific model) and try out the idea mentioned earlier:
https://bladecoder.medium.com/flash-your-lenovo-ideapad-laptop-bios-from-linux-using-uefi-capsule-updates-a82e455ea29c
(using the fwupdate tool).

If you do try this, please post back and let us know how it went =P
Guppy Apr 22, 2022
Quoting: g000h[...] There wasn't a .CAP file but I did spot a BIOS.fd file (18.1MB). I expect this file is exactly the same thing (just a different name).[...]

So, potentially, you could grab "that" file (for your specific model) and try out the idea mentioned earlier:
https://bladecoder.medium.com/flash-your-lenovo-ideapad-laptop-bios-from-linux-using-uefi-capsule-updates-a82e455ea29c
(using the fwupdate tool).

If you do try this, please post back and let us know how it went =P

Yeah I found that file my self - file claims it's a

BIOS.fd: MS-DOS executable PE32+ executable (DLL) (EFI application) x86-64, for MS Windows

poking around in the file it looks to be a file system of sorts - it contains among other things some plaintext config files for H2OFFT ( a windows based bios flasher aparently ), more PE files and a ton of debug symbols.

I've no luck extracting or mounting it. but I suspect it does contain a UEFI cap file in there somewhere

My laptop model isn't listed in the hw specs here as I though it's a Legion 5 Pro 16ACH6H and uses the GKCN53WW update at the time of writing

Last edited by Guppy on 22 April 2022 at 10:32 am UTC
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
Login / Register


Or login with...
Sign in with Steam Sign in with Google
Social logins require cookies to stay logged in.