Lenovo System Update - No applicable packages found...

[robert213]

I completed a fresh install of Windows 7 (Retail) last night.

I would like to update Windows 7 device drivers for UltraNav glide-pad, Smart Card reader, and Sound Card with those drivers provided by Lenovo. Also, I would like to download and install Lenovo HotKey Utility.

I downloaded and installed Lenovo ThinkVantage System Update 4.01.

After running Lenovo System Update for the first time, it gave me the following message:
"There are no applicable packages found for you system"

It told me that my:
Machine Type and model: TP-7L_
Operating System: Windows 7
Language: EN

I thought that System Update would give me the option to pick-n-choose device drivers and system utilities to install on my computer.

What am I doing wrong?

[robert213]

Machine Type and model: TP-7L_

Shouldn't this say something like "8895-W14"?

I will run Auto-Detect -- tomorrow morning.
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/

-- Edit --
Auto-Detect was not able to identify my T30.
I ran Auto-Detect a second time and noticed that MS I/E has blocked an Active-X control.
I installed the Active-X control program.
Then, Auto-Detect correctly identifed the model and type of my T30.

I will run Auto-Detect on my T61 tomorrow.

[Radioguy]

I recommend deleting the .xml files in C:\Program Files\Lenovo\System Update\session and then running SU again.

[robert213]

I will run Auto-Detect -- tomorrow morning.
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/

Auto-Detect doesn't work either. It gave me a black box. Unlke my T30 with XP Pro SP3, it did not ask to install an Active-X program. I just have a black box where type and model are supposed to be displayed.

I recommend deleting the .xml files in C:\Program Files\Lenovo\System Update\session and then running SU again.

I moved the *.xml files into another unrelated folder. Still -- "No applicable packages found..."

[robert213]

Running back to my T30,
-- Press [F1] for Bios Setup
-- System-unit serial number says: "236681U99xxxx9"

Looking at my T61,
-- Press [F1] for Bios Setup
-- System-unit serial number is completely <blank>

Well, that's not good!!!!

[Neil]

Well, in that case I take back what I said about System Update being the easier way to go. It is possible to enter the system board number in the Windows registry every time you want to run system update, but I think it will just be easier to find the drivers, etc. that you want, and download them individually.

[Radioguy]

I moved the *.xml files into another unrelated folder. Still -- "No applicable packages found..."

If it created new ones in their absence, and still gave that message, then the model/type isn't recognized. Combined with the auto-detect issue, I wonder about your TP.

No serial shown in the BIOS is odd. Where did you come by this TP?

[robert213]

No serial shown in the BIOS is odd. Where did you come by this TP?

Well, I guess that this is another reason that the term "99.6% Positive feedback" doesn't really mean much over at eBay.

[Radioguy]

Ah...well, let's look into the possibilities then. Admittedly, the following seem like worse-case scenarios, but they immediately spring to mind in a situation like this:

• 1. The motherboard has been replaced.
  In the best case, all is legit, but someone forgot to reflash the eeprom with the HMD (Hardware Maintenance Diskette) to update the mobo serial to the chassis. This can be rectified via using the diskette, but they are risky to use, and not easy to come by. If this pans out as the issue, and you end up stuck with TP, then the HMD would be your only fix.
  
  2. The laptop is an engineering sample/evaluation model.
  Well, you can't expect support for an item not meant to be sold. If this is the case, you may have to make due with things by manual updates. I believe the chassis wouldn't have a serial on the sticker if it's a sample (does yours?), but no serial in the BIOS or on any other internal sticker may indicate this even if it does. Updating the board serial to a retail one might help you for updates, but it would be adding to the "crime" if there is one.
  
  3. It's been stolen.
  Maybe the Someone used an HMD to wipe the board so it couldn't be traced. Well, that's the worst of the worst, and probably least likely.

I don't know the seller, but they may not have been aware of any such issues (though legally they need to). Is the auction listing still online? Also, if the worst pans out, you may still be covered by buyer protection. I think the TP might be returnable if any of the issues above exist.

Also, I'd recommend that you search out references here to evaluation model ThinkPads. There have been threads discussing them, and a few of the board's most veteran members have experience with them, if not seek them out. They could help identify this as a sample much better than I. HarryC and akula spring to mind, but there may be other better judges. Also, they are more likely to know if the model/type is one that's retail, foreign, or otherwise one that is not run-of-the-mill.

I hope things work out, but the serial being blank in the BIOS opens up these possibilities. I suggest you determine the origin status of your ThinkPad before spending more time getting it working,; time may be running out for some recourse with the seller.

[robert213]

Ah...well, let's look into the possibilities then. Admittedly, the following seem like worse-case scenarios, but they immediately spring to mind in a situation like this:

Radioguy, you are beginning to confirm a few of the unpleasant thoughts running through my mind.

I am looking at BIOS setup as we speak.

On the positive side...
System board serial number is present. I don't know how to validate it.
CPU Type matches Windows Control Panel System info.
CPU Speed matches Windows Control Panel System info.
UUID is present. I don't know how to validate it.
MAC Address is present and matches label on bottom of machine.

Also, on the positive side...
Lenovo Type, Model, and S/N label is on bottom of machine.
Windows Vista COA label is on bottom of machine.
Also, some sort of non-Lenovo maintenance agreement label with Model and Serial Number is present and matches Lenovo's label.

On the negative side...
I purchased it over 4 months ago -- long after 30 day return agreement.

Because the machine type, model, and serial is present on Lenovo's barcode label on bottom of machine, I doubt that the machine has been stolen.

Because the type and model (when entered manually) is present on Lenovo's support site and those characteristics of the type and model (e.g. CPU, RAM, screen size, HDD, wireless, etc) all match the machine, I doubt that it is an engineering sample.

I've arrived at the conclusion that the one of the seller's employees was simply incompetent when he updated the BIOS to a more recent version.

[Radioguy]

Due to current board restrictions on how many quotes can be embedded, I have to break it down by color.

Because the machine type, model, and serial is present on Lenovo's barcode label on bottom of machine, I doubt that the machine has been stolen.
Because the type and model (when entered manually) is present on Lenovo's support site and those characteristics of the type and model (e.g. CPU, RAM, screen size, HDD, wireless, etc) all match the machine, I doubt that it is an engineering sample.


Agreed, I doubt it's an ES/EM taken with the info below, and although theft can't be ruled out, it's unlikely and no longer relevant.

System board serial number is present. I don't know how to validate it.
UUID is present. I don't know how to validate it.
MAC Address is present and matches label on bottom of machine.
Lenovo Type, Model, and S/N label is on bottom of machine.

Curious. A blank serial in the BIOS still makes me wonder if it's a new mobo. Is the UUID a distinct set of numbers, or all zeroes? Is the MAC for the wireless card or the ethernet?

Also, some sort of non-Lenovo maintenance agreement label with Model and Serial Number is present and matches Lenovo's label.

Whoa. Is this a refurbished item? That would explain a great deal.

If that sticker indicates third-party refurbishment, then the odds of a mobo replacement went up sharply. Also, the original warranty would have been voided, so it may not be an issue of a sloppy HMD job without a correct eeprom update, but their contractual inability to use the original serial in an update. I'm not sure, though.

Again, these issues come into play if it's a refurb. Can you describe that sticker in more detail?

I purchased it over 4 months ago -- long after 30 day return agreement.

Actually, eBay states 45 days: http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/buy ... onditions1 but it's a moot point.

Assuming the sticker indicates refurbishment: Did the seller indicate it was a refurb?

I've arrived at the conclusion that the one of the seller's employees was simply incompetent when he updated the BIOS to a more recent version.

End-user BIOS updates wouldn't affect the serial number entry unless there was corruption, and you would likely have more problems that what you've had already if that were the case. No, it sounds like a new mobo or an old one swapped in. If that turns out to be the case, then the HMD would be able to update the serial, but that's another topic (literally; just do a search). Technically, aside from having the HMD, you may not be "within your rights" to update it back to the original serial on the chassis if it's a refurb with a voided Lenovo warranty.

[robert213]

Curious. A blank serial in the BIOS still makes me wonder if it's a new mobo. Is the UUID a distinct set of numbers, or all zeroes? Is the MAC for the wireless card or the ethernet?

The BIOS setup program shows a UUID with a mix of alphabetic and numeric characters.

The BIOS setup program shows a MAC address which matches one of the MAC labels on the bottom of the machine. The other MAC label says "802.11 A/G". Also, Levono's support website says that is the correct wireless card for my machine's type and model id.

Whoa. Is this a refurbished item? That would explain a great deal.?

There is nothing special about the maintenance agreement label. The machine's type, model, and serial number is printed in black ink on a white label. The label appears to be computer generated as each number has its corresponding heading. It appears to be cut out of a 8 1/2" x 11" label as the edges are uneven and look like they were cut with a pair of scissors.

Assuming the sticker indicates refurbishment: Did the seller indicate it was a refurb?

It sounds like a new mobo or an old one swapped in. If that turns out to be the case, then the HMD would be able to update the serial, but that's another topic (literally; just do a search). Technically, aside from having the HMD, you may not be "within your rights" to update it back to the original serial on the chassis if it's a refurb with a voided Lenovo warranty.

Thanks for the info. I will have to search through my paperwork to see whether I printed the eBay listing (or at least saved the eBay listing number). The listing may have indicated that it was refurbished.