README.TXT 01-31-2006 CDC
End-User DMI Update Tool for Tecra A4
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This software will restore the "Manufacturer" and "Model" DMI values (strings)
on Tecra A4 platforms. Restoring these DMI strings will eliminate
the "Wrong machine" error when you try to restore your factory software from
the restore CDs/DVD.
REQUIREMENTS The current toolset level requires you to boot DOS from either a
diskette, or bootable CD-ROM. The package includes images of both a bootable
diskette, and a bootable CD-ROM. In order to create the bootable diskette,
you'll need to have access to a working Windows 9x, Me, 2000, or XP system. To
create the bootable CD-ROM, you'll need to have access to a working system
capable of burning an ISO CD-ROM image to CD (Windows, Linux, OS/2, etc.)
Obviously, if your Toshiba PC needs to be re-imaged, you may or may not be
able to use it to create the bootable media. If you can't use your Toshiba PC,
you can use any other PC (yours, or an associate's) to create the bootable
media, as long as it meets the requirements stated above.
CREATE THE BOOTABLE MEDIA
There are two methods you can use to update the DMI values on your Toshiba PC:
1) From the bootable BIOS installation diskette. This is the recommeded
procedure whenever a diskette drive (internal, USB, or PCMCIA) is available on
the target system.
2) From the bootable BIOS installation CD-ROM
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1) BOOT DISKETTE INSTALLATION METHOD (Recommended)
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The DMI installation launcher offers the option to create a bootable DMI
update diskette. Simply select 'Diskette Installation' from the Launcher menu
and click 'Ok'. You'll need to have a diskette drive (internal, USB, or
PCMCIA) installed, and a formatted 1.44MB diskette available.
Once the DMI update diskette has been created, update the DMI strings using
the following steps:
o Connect the computer to AC power using the AC adapter.
o Close all open programs
o Insert the BIOS installation diskette into your diskette drive (A:)
o Shut down the operating system. With Windows, you may choose to Restart
rather than shutting down.
o If necessary, restart the computer by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del or turning
the computer OFF then on again
The computer will boot DOS from the DMI update diskette, and present a model
selection menu. Select the model that most closely matches yours, and press
[Enter]. You'll be prompted to confirm your selection. If it's correct, press
[Y] and [Enter]. Your DMI strings are now updated.
Eject the diskette from drive A: and turn the computer OFF then ON, or press
the reset switch to restart your computer. Your computer is now ready to use
the restore CD/DVD.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS INSTALLATION METHOD
If you are unable to use the Windows self-extractor, the self-extracting ZIP
archive can be extracted using PKUnZip, Info-Zip, or an equivalent UnZIP
utility. The Zip archive was created with Info-Zip (http://www.info-zip.org)
and the self-extractor (SFX) is WinZip (http://www.winzip.com)
The WinImage self-extracting diskette image, ta4a_dsk.exe , is a 32-bit
Windows application that requires Windows 9x, Me, NT, 2000, or XP. Information
about WinImage is available at http://www.winimage.com.
For Linux or other operating systems, you can use the boot CD-ROM method or
you can create the BIOS installation diskette on a Windows-based computer, and
boot the Toshiba notebook using the BIOS installation diskette.
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2) BOOT CD-ROM INSTALLATION METHOD
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If your Toshiba PC is equipped with a bootable CD-ROM device (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM,
DVD-RW, DVD-Multi, etc.), and you have access to a CD writer (burner, either
installed in your Toshiba PC or in another PC), you can create a bootable DMI
update CD-ROM using the ISO CD image, ta4a_cd.iso, provided in this
distribution.
If you have CD burning software on your computer, chances are good it has set
itself up as the default handler for ISO CD-ROM images. If this is the case,
the link above, and the option to create the bootable CD-ROM from the DMI
Launcher, will launch your CD burning software, ready to burn the ISO image to
CD. If your software hasn't set itself up as the default handler for ISO
images, we'll recognize that fact, and let you know.
Once you create the bootable CD-ROM, simply boot your computer from the
resulting CD. To boot from CD, you can either hold down the "C" key while you
turn your computer on, or you can use HWSetup to change the boot priority so
the CD drive boots before the HDD.
Note, if your CD burner supports it, you can use a rewritable CD (CD-RW) disc
to create the bootable DMI update CD-ROM. Be sure to erase the rewritable disc
(if it has data on it) before you proceed. Once you are finished updating your
system's DMI values, you can erase and re-use the rewritable disc.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Creating the bootable DMI update CD requires a specific set of
steps that is unique to each CD authoring application.You cannot simply copy
the ISO image to a blank CD and expect to be able to boot from it.
Here are brief instructions for creating a CD from the ISO image using widely
available software.
Roxio Easy CD Creator:
Easy CD Creator 5, bundled with some Toshiba PCs, allows you to initiate the
ISO image to CD burning process by simply double-clicking the .ISO file in
Windows Explorer. Simply browse to the folder into which you downloaded the
ISO image file and double-click to launch Easy CD Creator. Then put a blank
CD-R media in your drive and click on the 'Record' button to begin creating
the CD.
Information about Easy CD Creator is available at http://www.roxio.com
Nero Burning ROM:
Nero 6 is available for download as a fully-functional demo. Nero can be used
to create a CD from your ISO image using either of the two following
techniques:
In Nero Burning ROM go to menu option 'Recorder --> Burn Image' and navigate
to the drive/folder containing the ISO image you wish to burn to CD.
In Nero Express select the option for 'Disc Image or Saved Project' to select
the ISO image file and burn to CD.
More information about Nero 6 and a downloadable demo is available at
http://www.nero.com
Drag 'n Drop CD:
The Drag 'n Drop CD application bundled with some Toshiba PC models does not
support creating a CD from an ISO image. You'll need to use a different CD
burning application. If Roxio Easy CD Creator (see above) is not on your PC,
one application that can be used with Windows XP is Alex Feinman's free "ISO
Recorder Power Toy". This software allows you to right-click on .iso files and
use Windows XP's built-in CD writing wizard to create CDs from ISO image
files.
Information about the ISO Recorder Power Toy is available at
http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm
Note: Information about non-bundled software is provided "for your
information". Toshiba neither recommends nor supports software that is not
bundled with our computers or purchased from toshibadirect.com.
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Download Driver Pack
After your driver has been downloaded, follow these simple steps to install it.
Expand the archive file (if the download file is in zip or rar format).
If the expanded file has an .exe extension, double click it and follow the installation instructions.
Otherwise, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
Find the device and model you want to update in the device list.
Double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.
From the Properties dialog box, select the Driver tab.
Click the Update Driver button, then follow the instructions.
Very important: You must reboot your system to ensure that any driver updates have taken effect.
For more help, visit our Driver Support section for step-by-step videos on how to install drivers for every file type.