T60 BIOS Update Failure

[aaronv54]

Recently swapped out the HDD in my T60 for a 500 GB unit, and installed Windows 7 on it. While I was downloading all the drivers I saw the BIOS update and thought that, of course, I absolutely needed to update the BIOS as well. So I run the update in Windows 7, and it stops responding when it gets to the "Writing BIOS" or whatever phase it calls it. I stupidly cancelled the task a couple mins later (I probably just should have let it sit like that as long as it wanted, just to see if it would recover). The entire machine froze so I powered off and got four beeps.

Now when I power on the machine I get the ThinkPad startup screen and the "To interrupt normal startup..." message. If I don't do anything it clears that screen and just goes black. If I hit ESC to see the POST, I can see it testing the RAM. It flashes a couple lines quickly, the last one of which is "Mouse Initialized" then goes to a screen that just says "ATAPTI CD-ROM: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4083N" at the top and hangs there. If I hit the ThinkVantage button it goes to the black screen with only the Battery/AC LED lit. I have tried the bootable CD BIOS install, the CD spins up but never loads. If it hit F1 to enter the BIOS setup I get the message "Entering BIOS Setup Menu..." and it hangs on that screen.

Do I need to be shopping for a new motherboard, or are there any other things I can try?

[netzspannung]

Can you enter the BIOS by pressing f1? If so, reset all settings to default and you have still hope

If F1 doesn't work, the easiest option is a new motherboard, but don't throw away the old one - it must be perfectly salvageable by the right people who can unsolder\rewrite the chip.

UPD: oh, I see F1 doesn't work. You can try pulling both main and backup battery for a couple minutes and then try again...
I can send you the BIOS and the WinPhlash, both tested working, find a repairman in your area who can flash those. Ask for someone who can, er, remove passwords - that would be the one who knows the stuff well

[richk]

You wiped out the BIOS chip (where the code is stored). This has nothing to do with the BIOS settings (configuration, options, passwords, etc) It sounds like you need a board. What version do you need? I have some extras in stock. If you are not sure, post the full model number, from the bar code sticker on the bottom. It will have a format like 1951-XXX

[billp117]

Try removing the battery, power cord, and push the "on" button for one to two minutes. Put it back together and try again. If that does not work then remove the battery, power cord, ram, cmos battery and hold the "on" button again for one to two minutes. That may just do it for you.

I just did the same on an old T40 that had a bios update and it worked for me. Otherwise it sounds like a new motherboard. I was taught this little trick by Lenovo service.

[aaronv54]

Thanks I'll try some of those methods and see what I get. Netzspannung, if it's not much trouble I would appreciate it, I have someone in mind here in town that might be able to do it.

Rich, the model is 2613-EAU.

[Crunch]

Oh man, what a nightmare. The BIOS update utility does go to "Not Responding" after the screen minimizes to the bottom left corner of the desktop upon initiating the BIOS upgrade. I always want to see exactly what's going on, so I maximize the window right after, and it does appear to hang at that particular point. Except that it doesn't really hang. It subsequently backs up the current BIOS, and then flashes and verifies each block of the BIOS. Takes about 2 minutes, if that.

Never update the BIOS while also installing other updates, software, drivers, etc. at the same time. I know it can be tempting to just do everything at once if you're getting your updates through System Update.

Incidentally, does anyone know if the CD method is the safest way to go. It's just really convenient to do it within the OS, and in my case, I don't use optical drives at all. Instead, I have a 2nd (or 3rd) SSD or hard drive in the Ultrabay.

Good luck to you!

[RealBlackStuff]

By using the CD, it boots from it, and no other potential hazards from an OS can get in the way.
It's just the hardware (CD/DVD drive) and the BIOS that play a role here.
And of course you should have AC and a working battery.