How I destroyed my X21. Mini laptop hell.

[Noblunts]

So I got an X21 from my friend. My T23 broke last year (long story, tldr) and I traded him my lcd/casing. It came preloaded with XP and ran pretty fast. I wanted Linux so I installed ubuntu. It was only using my HDD at ATA33 and had an old bios so I figured I'd upgrade.

I downloaded the 2 latest diskless updates and tried to install win2k. I couldn't get it to boot because of craptastic hard drives so I said screw it and downloaded the disk versions. This thing has no floppy drive so I made a bootable CD and put the files on it.

The first thing I tried was the embedded controller update. It "completed successfully". The laptop was now frozen. I couldn't do the bios update. I pulled the plug. Now all I get is the little moon light and an amber power light. If I'm lucky the thing lights up like a disco ball and spins the hdd. No POST, no screen, completely unresponsive to any input.

Apparently this emebedded controller ver needs a 2.x version of the bios to work. IBM said to flash the controller then the bios but I guess they forgot about the impossible reboot that happens in between.

Now I'm stuck. I've ordered a new logic board but is there any way to revive this one? Everything would be fine if I could actually flash the bios chip. How can I avoid doing this to my replacement board? Should I update through windows and increment the versions slowly or use IBM software manager? Should I just shoot the thing with my AR15.

And the final question that's been on my mind for the past 2 days! Does this thing support ATA66 or only 33?


This is the first bios flash I've fsck'd.
Thanks for any help.

[weepy]

my sympathies ...

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

Sorry to hear about your mishap. Have you tried removing your BIOS battery?

[Noblunts]

Yes. when I remove he battery I usually get the disco ball the first time around. Later it turns into the moon and battery. Sometimes its just dead.

[Kyocera]

Sounds like you followed the right proceures. I always breath a sigh of relief after updating the bios and embedded controller.

I don't have any advice and am not trying to be a wisecracker but there is a 600e with an updated processor for sale for $50 in the Marketplace. These machines will run XPp or Linux fine. I've had several of them.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=61510

[Noblunts]

Got a replacement board for $50 shipped off ebay same day. I like the small size of the X21 but I really really miss my T23. 500mhz is a little slow for me. Next time I'll do the upgrades under windows and make sure that the versions match. If it breaks again I'm calling lenovo and asking WTF.

[Noblunts]

Anyone know if this thing has ata 66 or 33?

[Raceboy]

X20/21 has maximum of ATA-33 transfer rate.

[Noblunts]

Thank you. Its slow but at least I know.

[Raceboy]

You could rescue the board by desoldering bios chip and having it reprogrammed.

Other option is to buy dead mobo (or most likely get it for free), and have the bios chip swapped.

[Noblunts]

Hmm, what bios chip does it use? Can I make a programmer for it? I don't know anyone that has a dead board unfortunately. I still have my dead t23 board but the bios on there is different too. If the controller flash was really successful I would be in business reprogramming the chip. If I have to pay to get it programmed it would probably be more than the replacement board. Can this thing support any faster P3s or is it limited? I have the PIII from my T23 too but I dunno what socket is in the x21.

[TdiGuy]

I have a x24 mobo / cpu PIII 1.somthing ghz i am willing to sell. if your interested email me hmeetis@yahoo.com. I have been meaning to take pics and post it up on ebay.