Thinkpads Forum

Hi All,

After owning (and loving) my X61 for about a year, I started getting the dreaded blue screen of death this morning. I researched the Stop error (0X0000008E) an downloaded a BIOS update from Lenovo.

According to the software, the update was successful. On restart, I made it to the "Press the blue ThinkVantage button..." screen. The fan began to run at a very high speed and neither the F1 key or the ThinkVantage key worked to escape the hangup.

I let this run for about an hour before pulling power to the machine. Now, when plugged in and/or on battery, I get cannot power on. It seems as if I now own a $1500 door stop.

How do I troubleshoot this?

- unplug system and remove battery

- press the power button ten times repeatedly

- then hold down the power button for 25 seconds in order to completely discharge the capacitors, etc.

Try plugging in the AC power and attempt to boot. If nothing happens, then repeat the process but run off of the battery instead (no AC adapter).

If this does not work call Lenovo and tell them a BIOS flash rendered your machine inoperable. They will replace the systemboard, assuming that it is still under warranty.

Thanks Harryc, but that didn't seem to work. Do you think they'll replace the system board even if it's been more than a year?

Ryan

Sure, as long as a warranty contract is still in effect.