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    BIOS flash gone WRONG

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by junkimchi, Oct 22, 2009.

  1. junkimchi

    junkimchi Notebook Geek

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    YEP I tried to update my T400 bios to the latest update then after I did everything it said to click finish to restart. Won't boot now. Laptop turns on and the power lights come on but NOTHING comes up on the screen, not even the bios setting/menu/thinkpad screen. Called Lenovo and they sent a paid 8lbs next day air box so I'll keep everyone updated to see what happens.

    My past experience with Lenovo customer service is that they are outstanding so I am confident that they will replace/fix the board accordingly. But it is still dumb that a simple BIOS flashing program can somehow screw up and cause this to happen

    I have a question though: If they replace/fix the board, will i have to reformat? (I sent my thinkpad without my hard drive inside because the lenovo rep told me not to). When I get my laptop back, could I just plug in my HD and it should boot again right? No new hardware or anything.
     
    junkimchi, Oct 22, 2009
    #1
  2. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Did you try burning the BIOS to a disk and attempting to boot/upgrade/fix from it?

    I updated my BIOS in the OS without a problem, did you use the proper version from the Lenovo driver page? I know there were two versions, one for x32 and one for x64 W7.
     
    usapatriot, Oct 22, 2009
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  3. junkimchi

    junkimchi Notebook Geek

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    No I did not try to boot it from a cd. When I powered it on, the screen didn't even have ANY action. Would it still boot from a cd even in that case? I'm pretty sure I downloaded the right BIOS updater and I updated through windows.

    The laptop is on the way to Tennessee right now through next day air anyway.
     
    junkimchi, Oct 22, 2009
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  4. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    Two of us agree then. There is nothing about a new bios that would cause you not to see a formatted disk. There would be no reason to reformat too.
    Renee
     
    Renee, Oct 22, 2009
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  5. MastahRiz

    MastahRiz Notebook Evangelist

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    ^ The problem is not that there's a new BIOS unable to see a disc, it's that it did not flash properly and is not turning on and loading a BIOS at all.

    Junkimchi, I had the same problem with my W500. Have to send mine in as well.
     
    MastahRiz, Oct 23, 2009
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  6. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

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    I take it there is no user method to reflashing the bios by removing the BIOS battery or holding down some button?
     
    jaredy, Oct 23, 2009
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  7. chrixx

    chrixx Product Specialist NBR Reviewer

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    I had the same problem with my X301 when performing the latest BIOS update which includes some extensive feature improvements for Windows 7 compatibility.

    My fix:
    Remove the battery, unplug AC adapter, replug AC adapter, turn it on without battery attached. If it boots up, reinsert battery.
     
    chrixx, Oct 23, 2009
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  8. LloydChiro

    LloydChiro Newbie

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    I reflashed my BIOS last Monday. It was fine until I restarted my system. Then, it was like the foundation under Windows 7 was unsettled, and Window's self correcting attempts didn't work. It wouldn't start. Since I was at a different office, I didn't have my Installation discs, so I installed Ubuntu, which worked fine.

    Once I got home, I re-installed Windows 7, and it was fine. I don't know what the new BIOS firmware does, but I hope to see some of that Enhanced Experience coming from it.
     
    LloydChiro, Oct 23, 2009
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  9. Lew

    Lew Notebook Deity

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    Just for the record, I installed the BIOS update on my T400 and have had no issues. Figured a little good news wouldn't hurt. :)
     
    Lew, Oct 23, 2009
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  10. buckle

    buckle Notebook Guru

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    me too, but with t500
     
    buckle, Oct 23, 2009
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  11. mikec

    mikec Notebook Evangelist

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    I am very curious if this BIOS, and other drivers, help with the "Enhanced Experience" or not.

    Wouldn't want to brick my machine. Sounds like it won't
     
    mikec, Oct 23, 2009
    #11