T60p DISASTER: 1.04 to 2.22 BIOS upgrade failure

[xbytes]

My system had some of the symptoms associated with the early revision BIOS's for the t60p so I decided to check the version in bios, now I can't remember the exact numbers but I think it was BIOS Version 1.04a and Embedded controller Version 1.05b definitely had a letter after it and it was less than 1.11 so I looked for updates and found that the t60p BIOS had loads of tweaks from my version up to 2.22, got the files and ran the update app from command prompt with AC in, fully charged bat and no programs running in background, the flashing app went through all the initial checks no problem then started flashing bios and BAMO! it failed half way through writing the last block!!

I immediately tried to flash the bios again but it said unrecognized machine so I downloaded a different version and that wouldn't let me flash the system either, then when I tried to open the cmd it went to a black screen and I had to restart all I'm left with is the initial Lenovo slpash screen and if you press ThinkVantage or just leave the system it just goes blank!

What a nightmare the system model is 2007-87G still in warranty

what should I do? is this in anyway recoverable or will it need a new mainboard? I just hope they don't do to mine what the did to my friends T42 his came back with a faulty screen and a broken dvd-rw

total nightmare just as well I still have my T40 updated maybe 8 to 10 BIOS's in my time and never had a problem before

[Harryc]

Call Lenovo for service. The system board will have to be replaced.

[xbytes]

I called and they said they would send me a link to a flash cd or something to recover the bios this seems unlikely it would work in my experience! well lets hope they phone back anyway I'm not sure if the guy actually believed that the bios had fried lets hope this *magic* boot cd works !

[mitasol]

Can you enter setup? If so then you aren't totally fried. The "magic" cd will allow you to set the System Unit serial number which is a combination of the machine and model and the serial number. If you can't get into setup then I doubt you will be able to boot to the CD so a system board replacement will be required.

[xbytes]

no can't get to bios so probably doomed to a board replacement

[xbytes]

phoned again and they were pretty vague about replacing the system board, going to try this CD, might end up having to buy the board and doing it myself though, for GBP175 ($380)

I found this FRU 44C3710 as replacement, maybe I could get one with the FireGL V5250 instead of the V5200

[whizkid]

In some of the old machines, the BIOS would check for a magic floppy before trying to boot anything else. Maybe these days it checks for a magic CD. There is hope.

[RonS]

What a nightmare the system model is 2007-87G still in warranty

might end up having to buy the board and doing it myself though, for GBP175 ($380)

If your system is still under warranty, why would have you to pay for a replacement mainboard? You should be able to send it in and have it replaced under the warranty.

[pae77]

And if/when you do send it in, remember to take everything off you can, such as: hard drive, dvd/cd drive, battery, (not sure about memory (they might want to see that), etc.

[xbytes]

good advice guys thanks!

Well one of the people I spoke to said I wouldn't be able to send it in and was hinting that it wasn't their fault, but I phoned back a few times and got through to another agent who really understood what I was saying and just sent me the address of the Service Depot to send it to in scotland going to send it in tomorrow, pulled HDD and battery packed it up, maybe I should get the CDRW too as my friends DVDRW got damaged by the same department!

anyway here's hoping it all goes ok put a few stickers on the unit with my reference number and address so should be ok