T410, update new BIOS, SLIC misssing!

This is the procedure I used to insert the SLIC table into the T410 BIOS and thus restore the original OEM activation.

• I had previously flashed a modified 1.12 BIOS with the SLIC table from darkwish in post #23. This BIOS worked fine on my T410 and the SLIC table was back along with my original OEM activation.
• When the 1.15 BIOS was released by Lenovo I flashed it and of course this wiped out the SLIC table again and Windows 7 was deactivated again as well.
• In order to modify the 1.15 BIOS along with future BIOSes I needed the SLIC table saved as a file. So I flashed back to the modified 1.12 BIOS and dumped the SLIC table to a file using the SLIC DUMP ToolKit found here. Alternatively, you can ask another T410 owner who has their SLIC table backed up to send you a copy.
• With the SLIC table now backed up I flashed back to the original 1.15 BIOS so that the corresponding Embedded Controller Program (ECP) (1.06) for the 1.15 BIOS was installed on my T410.
• I then inserted the backed up SLIC table in the 1.15 BIOS using the Phoenix SLIC Mod Tool and instructions found here. Point the tool to the extracted 1.15 BIOS .FL1 file, the .FL2 file is the ECP and doesn't need to be modified. Be sure to choose Lenovo as the manufacturer. Also, load the SLIC table backed up in the previous step. Create and load the RW Everything report as instructed. I also loaded the matching certificate I backed up with the SLIC DUMP ToolKit.
• I then ran the Phoenix SLIC Mod Tool. Once the $01BF000_SLIC.ROM file was created I copied it into the 64 bit WinPhlash folder (found under the extracted 1.15 BIOS folder) and modified the PHLASH.INI file by following steps 18 to 29 under the "How to Modify and Flash a Lenovo Bios" example from the same web page (this probably isn't necessary as you could just point WinPhlash to the modified BIOS). If you have the 32 bit version of Windows 7 be sure to use the corresponding version of WinPhlash.

With the modified BIOS flashed on my T410 my SLIC table was back along with my original activation. This procedure will need to be performed for each new BIOS release unless Lenovo comes out with an actual fix for this issue. The above procedure worked for me but use at your own risk. It would be a good idea to read through the Phoenix bios recovery procedures here in case of a bad flash.

You can contact Microsoft to get a new product key to activate with but it's better to have the original OEM activation since that's the way the T410 was sold to us. Plus, from a resale perspective it is beneficial to have the original OEM activation. Also, a new product key from Microsoft is only good for a certain number of installations of Windows 7 I believe.

If this procedure doesn't work for you of if you think it needs to be modified please let me know. Maybe darkwish can comment and let us know how close this procedure is to his.

 

Thanks ertw for posting a tutorial. That is pretty much the exact same procedure used.

 

Version 1.18-1.07
BIOS: 1.18 / ECP: 1.07

• (Fix) Fixed an issue where the screen might not be displayed on LCD panel on NVIDIA NVS 3100M model when system booted with closed LCD.
• (Fix) Fixed an issue where system might not be resumed on non-Windows ACPI OS.

T410 1.18 with SLIC

Version 1.20-1.07
BIOS: 1.20 / ECP: 1.07

• (Fix) Fixed an issue where screen garbage might be displayed with 2nd HDD in Ultrabay during resuming from suspend.
• (Fix) Fixed an issue where a incorrect IP address of HPM (Hardware Password Manager) server might be displayed on HPM logon screen.

T410 1.20 with SLIC


I recommend flashing the official Lenovo one first, to update the Embedded Controller firmware, then flash the SLIC modded one.

 

Is the modded BIOS still required? I'd hope that a new release would fix the problem.

 

New releases will never fix the problem according to Mark at the lenovo forums. Once your slic table is officially gone, it's gone. You can only get it back by hacking at it yourself.

 

The new BIOS releases, are "fixed" as in they don't erase your SLIC. There was a buggy release (1.12) that erased your SLIC table. Once erased, it can not be restored, even by flashing with a later bios that doesn't have the issue. The only real way to have it restored, is to send it back to Lenovo to be flashed by their tools.

These modded BIOS's are for those who do not want to go through the hassle of sending their laptops back to be fixed. If I had to send my laptop in for another issue, then I'll probably have them fix the BIOS issue too while it was there. For now, I'll make do with the modded BIOS.

 

You're file is 1.15. Please fix it.

Edit:
Got it by renaming the link. Thanks!

 

Ooops, now fixed.

 

Hi,
New to this forum, and just received my T410 yesterday. I'm not sure if the BIOS is up-to-date, but I haven't changed it, and so I assume my SLIC is still there. From what you wrote, it sounds like updating to the latest BIOS won't erase the SLIC, right? Unlike the previous versions?

Thanks.

 

Any new version?

 

Yeah, sorry. Instead of a new post, I updated my previous one. See post # 53

 

Did anybody get their mainboard replaced - what was the procedure taken? I got the 1.12 bios a while back (via the auto update) on my W510 and my slic got wiped out.

Anybody have the latest BIOS for the W510 with the SLIC reinserted?

Regards.