bios problem

So heres my story, wondering if anyone out there can help.

I opened up my brand spankin new T61p and started to do the usual updates of vista then lenovo's update program. Lenovo prompted me that it'll update the bios, i click through and it prompts me that it needs to restart (all typical), however, upon restart, it beeps a few times and blacks out...I figured it needs time to run so i let it run. After 30 minutes...thought i was screwed. restarted manually by turning the power off (i know its bad, but it was stuck)...called tech support and i think i woke the lady up, she told me to do the typical ****, taking out battery, draining power, then said i was screwed and have to take it in. i'm just wondering if anyone happens to know a solution or if this has occurred to them too. thanks

-kevin

 

This is what we call 'bricking' a laptop.

You fried the BIOS chip. You might be able to fix it if you can re-load the BIOS via a floppy drive, but I'm guessing you will have to send it in to fix.

 

I'm with Greg on this one, I think you fried the BIOS by restarting prematurely.
You need to send it in for replacement now.

 

to update the bios with vista, you need to make a bootable CD (read it on the lenovos website under support -> drivers -> bios)

my guess is that it didn't update the bios fine, so make a bootable CD and try again.

you can't fry your BIOS. As every reprogrammable chip, it can be programmed again if the first session didn't go well. However, the badly programmed bios could cause problems to other chips on the main board that could be permanently damaged, but that depends on so many other factors ..

good luck

 

miro_gt, have you read the installation instructions for BIOS updates? I think this is why some people are wary of BIOS updates.

Here's an excerpt:

Attention:
Do not turn off or suspend the system until the update has been completed. If you turn off or suspend the system while the update is still in progress, the system board may have to be replaced.

 

here's another expert:

<------ electrical engineer who programs chips/controllers all the time

but yes, I did read what they said

 

Ahh I see. Well, I stand corrected. I rather agree with someone who does it as a job than trust it from company text.

Well in that case, OP needs to just run the update again from a bootable CD.

 

If it had been running for 30 minutes, the manual restart was not the culprit, it was already hosed. The BIOS update should not take more than a minute or two tops. Don't feel like you did something wrong.

 

I have always been weary of Bios Updates, I Bricked my A21m that way, I eventually was able to flash it but it was a painful process, I always make sure when i do it that there is nothing else running and that it isnt plugged into network, and if it takes more than 5 minutes 10 max, just unplug it, pull the battery, then open er up and pull the on board batt, thankfully i havent had any problems with my T61 but its always in the back of my mind.

 

so am i basically screwed? cause lenovo said they wont be able to ship out a box to me till thursday, then 4-7 business days for return. and service stores are all shut down till the 3rd due to holidays...

 

"to update the bios with vista, you need to make a bootable CD (read it on the lenovos website under support -> drivers -> bios)

my guess is that it didn't update the bios fine, so make a bootable CD and try again."

This isn't true. I have updated my t61p bios with vista running the bios updatting utility. I didn't go to the trouble of making an ISO disk.

 

I just tried updating using the bootable cd. it does the same thing...

 

Yep, you are basically screwed. You fried your BIOS. They will have to replace your bios and possibly your mobo. you didn't do anything wrong on purpose. What you did do wrong was to let Thinkpad Update Manager install the Bios update for you. You should always do it as a stand alone install, or even better, a bootable disc.

 

Amen to that!

Bios updates can go wrong quickly, and when they do, the consequences are pretty severe. The safest way is definately a bootable disc. Don't let a program or OS interfere with the Bios update. Take them out of the equation completely. Also make sure you've done a recent backup of important files. Oh... and make sure you're plugged in.

 

exactly,

make sure your battery is at 100%, make sure it is plugged in, and make sure all video/music play is stopped any any other heavy tasks. Do not even TOUCH your computer while the bios is updating, the consequences can be severe. BIOS stuff is very serious since changes are permanent

 

So does your system boot at all? You said you tried that and it did the same thing.

Generally, if the BIOS is mis-programmed, you will just get a black screen and the "brick" effect.

If you are getting something on the screen and the ability to perform actions, all hope is not lost.

Lenovo should be able to ship you a box on Monday to arrive Wednesday, and you may even have your machine back on Friday if it goes out on Wednesday night.

 

yeah its bricked. can't do anything...and lenovo said they'll probably get a box to me by thursday...then 4-7 business days for turn around due to holidays. ah well. thanks for all the help.

 

maybe try to take out battery on mobo (if its reachable), wait for a while and put it back again...

IMHO you cannot really "fry" your bios when doing update - you can only ruin program that sits in bios chip, but not the chip itself.

I can tell ya, what lenovo will do with his computer if he will send it to them: they will just use programmator (don't know how it is called in usa) and just reprogramm the bios (when using appropriate tools it takes not much time)...

 

They'll reflash and send it back they probably will say they replaced mobo but it is possible to reflash it they should have the hardware and software to do it. In the old days you could just pull off the bios chip and pop another one in. On thinkpads the chip is integrated into the board. It all depends if the chip has a way for it to be reset software wise, otherwise they may have to replace the board.

 

Hi,

Don't worry. I faced the same problem a while back. Let me explain my case.

I have the R61. I remember doing a BIOS update through Vista. In those days, I was hibernating my system, rather than shutting down. So, I forgot that I installed an update, and kept hibernating my system for a few days. One fine day (not fine, the worst), I tried to restart the system. It went until the "Windows is Shutting down" screen, and was struck.

I waited from 15 - 20 min, and pressed the power button and shut it down. Now, the problem started. When I switch it on, it comes until the progress bar, which loads Windows, and then blacks out. I tried everything. Factory Settings, New OS install, BIOS update, etc.

Had to send the system in (talked with rep on Tuesday), and they sent it back after repairing it (received on Monday). Everything was Overnight Shipping. I just have the mail-in warranty. Strangely, they didn't explain me what the problem was, and which parts, they have replaced (if any).

Sorry for my long story. Hope it helps in some way. If possible, please write a private message, after your problem is solved.

 

that wont work. Regular say CMOS NAND-gate memory holds for like 25 years minimum, lol. But I agree, they will reprogram the bios somehow.


also, about the bios upgrade with vista - I haven't done it, I just saw what lenovo said about making a bootable CD. I upgraded mine under XP Pro.


anyways, tell what happened with your laptop