BIOS: certain settings cannot be saved?

[sojourner]

Recently aquired a used T41 MOBO with a BIOS quirk I've never seen ... hoping someone can explain what's going on.

BIOS version 3.21, latest embedded controller (v3.04)
The issue, certain settings cannot be saved, specifically:

- LAN
Wake on LAN, Flash Over LAN, Network Option ROM (all stuck on enabled)
- cannot set HPA to normal (it's stuck on disabled)
- cannot set boot priority (everything is default)
- cannot set Network boot priority (everything is default)
- cannot disable BIOS Update Option, 'flash BIOS by end user' (set to default)

Outside of this (these?) quirks the board is great! I can live with BIOS setting as they are and if there is anything wrong with the operation of the board I've not found it. USB is fine, Ultrabay is fine, display is great, all PM functions work, all KB functions, trackpad, wireless, LAN, audio, audio jack etc. are fine!

Tried resetting to defaults, pulling CMOS battery, setting Power-ON PW ... nothing allows the saving/changing of the functions above. Can anyone explain this?

[rkawakami]

Is there anything displayed to the right of each BIOS option that is "stuck"? Something like, "All items on this menu cannot be modified in user mode."?

[sojourner]

Is there anything displayed to the right of each BIOS option that is "stuck"? Something like, "All items on this menu cannot be modified in user mode."?

No, in fact there are multiple T41's here and all BIOS screens look the same except for individual settings.

IE, what I see on the BIOS screen for whatever selection looks 'normal'. Lets say I choose to adjust Predesktop area, it looks the same on any of the TP's I have. This 'quirky' board is currently on DISABLED, I select it, choose Normal, get the confirm message, everything looks OK but the DISABLE never goes away! The same 'type' behavior exists for all entries which will not allow modification.

Also, just got through running PC-Doctor and the board passed ALL tests (including CMOS). Don't know what to make of it. Any ideas?