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This laptop's BIOS was damaged in a software upgrade
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:07 pm
by keesesp
I am looking at a Thinkpad T30:
This laptop was working perfectly before the BIOS upgrade failure, so I'm sure that once I get the BIOS working, I will have a very powerful, sturdy, and enjoyable laptop for a long time. Seller said the T30 is in great shape.
The price is right $100USDs, but if I cannot fix it, it would be just a boat anchore.
I have 5 days, before I see the guy.
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:52 pm
by dsigma6
Is that just a statement or do you have a question?
As far as I understood, if the BIOS is corrupted it can't be fixed, at least by simply updating it.
Either way, if all the other components are good, it's a steal.
How do I fix It!!??!!
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 3:10 pm
by keesesp
dsigma6:
Sorry, it was a Question..
How do I fix the BIOS??
It is a 2367-KU3:
P4-M 1.8GHz, 512MB RAM, 20GB HDD, 14.1 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 8x-3.3x DVD-ROM, Modem(CDC), Ethernet(LOM), Secure Chip(TCPA), UltraNav, USB-FDD, Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:37 pm
by Nolonemo
Don't know about the BIOS.
Depending on how the T30 is configured, I would think you could to get your money back by parting it out on eBay (RAM, HD, CPU, fan, optical drive, LCD & lid, bottom plastic, keyboard, keyboard bezel, ultrabay enclosure, battery) $100 sounds like a safe deal to me (if you don't mind reselling on eBay, that is)
Alternatively, it looks like you can get a replacement motherboard on eBay for under $150 if you are patient (plus, you can resell the extra CPU you'll end up with). $250 for a T30 in good shape sounds like a deal I'd make in an instant.
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 7:57 pm
by dmar
keesesp, interesting. Was that listing somehow on Craigslist? That sounds surprisingly familiar. I contacted a guy in South San Jose in California that advertised pretty much the same deal "-a T30, but said his mom put a Bios password, and forgot it.
Are you talking about the same thing? If you get it, good luck! It's a steal.
Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 10:41 am
by Dngrsone
You would need a copy of the BIOS program and an EEPROM programmer to reload the BIOS. You would probably have to remove the EEPROM from the motherboard in order to reprogram it; I don't know how difficult that it on your model.
If it's just locked, that can be fixed much easier.