Thinkpads Forum

I have here a T61 that the bios has been corrupted on. So I went ans ordered a new bios chip on ebay( the seller programmed it according to my serial number) and soldered it on, ans now it wont post at all, not even with no memory, in there anything I can try?
Thanks!

Even if the programming and remounting the chip were done perfectly -- which is a non-trivial "if" -- there is no way to end up with a working T61 motherboard after ones does what you describe, as the "integration" of the BIOS contents with built-in TPM/"security" protocols guarantees failure. [Swapping BIOS chips used to work, but it has been quite a few years since that procedure has been "neutralized".]

I would suggest to solder the old BIOS chip back on and contact these folks.
See the BIOS Repair Recovery advertisement from www.aqstech.com at the top of this page.

What is the part number of the chip you replaced? The BIOS is a very sensitive serial flash chip that is really easy to destroy without the right equipment. Also, the serial number is not even in the BIOS chip

What I meant is that the seller chose the right bios based on the model number. anyway It posts now(after resetting the cmos) but it gives me the infamous 1-3-3-1 memory error, even with confirmed good memory in it. any ideas?
Thanks again for your help.

Reseat your memory. If you have 2 chips, try them one at a time in the lower slot.

I tried that, I seems as if every stick of memory I put in will still give the 1-3-3-1 error

lantelii wrote:What I meant is that the seller chose the right bios based on the model number. anyway It posts now(after resetting the cmos) but it gives me the infamous 1-3-3-1 memory error, even with confirmed good memory in it. any ideas?
Thanks again for your help.

You said, "after resetting the cmos." Notice you tinkered with the CMOS battery. Now try different size /maybe even manufacturer of memory. For example I have some Nanya 1GB Pc2-5300 that would cause a T60 I have to beep 1-3-3-1 all day, while some Hynix 1GB Pc2-5300 works fine in the same machine. Why the difference? I have no clue, as the Nanya chips will work in another machine and have 16 chips total just like the Hynix. Try a 512 mb single chunk and then 2x512 mb configuration. Read this thread carefully and you'll see why I suggest that: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=90116

It's a long shot, but if some default memory configuration value has been altered, you may not be able to get the laptop to boot until you hit upon just the right configuration of memory chips. And then, assuming your CMOS battery is good/stable, once you are able to boot into BIOS/post successfully the first time, you should then be able to adjust your memory configuration to your heart's desire:

This is a strange theory I have about "Initial memory configuration" defaults once someone has experienced CMOS glitches, or in your case, also tinkering with BIOS chips? (I don't even know about those things). But if you're able to get that T61 to boot with let's say 1x512 or 2x512 or 1x1GB or 2x2GB or 1x2GB or 2x2GB (and a few more possible combinations, I think you get the idea), please post back and let us know the exact brand memory/speed (Pc2-5300 or PC2-6400) and what size modules and configuration you used as this may help many people.

Daniel.