Thinkpads Forum

X61T Win7x64 Boots w/ Ultrabase Dock but not by itself

BIOS Versions: I went from Middleton 1.24 > Lenovo 1.25 > Lenovo 1.24 > Lenovo 1.25

On this instance of Win7x64 Once I was testing the FnF5 s/w and I disabled the WiFi & Bluetooth. I was able to renable Bluetooth but not the WiFi. WiFi has since been permanently disabled via this instance of Win7 x64OS on HDD.

I WAS trying to figure it out as to what the issue was, but not sure as yet and gave it up as bigger issues had popped up.

RIGHT NOW! When I figured most of the stuff is working fine, I find this new issue.

It will boot while docked on the Ultrabase (AC power: ON or OFF both ways, Wireless Switch: On or OFF both ways). But not at all when undocked (With AC power ON or OFF, Wireless ON or OFF).

It freezes at the same wierd point as it did before when this whole issue began. At a certain point in the BOOT.
If you've noticed during a boot when the white mouse pointer just becomes visible alone. Well, it locks just before this. I wonder why?

I am posting a screenshot of what I had installed via ThinkVantage System Update with dates and...

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-C_1R ... 252002.png

Current State.. of what is currently there on the machine and when it was installed..
It will also show some things I uninstalled (that were originally installed via TVSU).

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-C9Ll ... 252003.png

I am wondering if and how I should try to do a BIOS rollback? or Install a fresh Windows 7x64 without the Dock and see if it works and boots?
My concern here is, I dont want to start fresh and then find this repeating again. I am wondering what could be the DRIVER or APP issue here?

Does a Linux Live CD boot?

Harryc wrote:Does a Linux Live CD boot?

I think so? Something like DSL I think was working.. I could check? or like a full Linux Live DVD?
But, then again I can boot it off using the Ultrabase CD/DVD or a USB based CD/DVD or should I try via the PenDrive?

PS: Even windows 7 boots upto a certain point. Which when I disabled the GUI boot, and Bootlog, goes up to upnp driver (I'll try and post more details from the logs).

PPS: I also installed the Trace thing from Admin kit to track the boot. But, I am wondering if there is any TOOL/UTILITY that will LOG where Windows got stuck during the BOOT.. on a BOOT that FAILED.

Yes try a full Linux Live CD or Pendrive...doesn't matter which. The goal is to see if ANY OS will boot without the dock. If it boots without the dock you have a windows problem. Make sense?

Harryc wrote:Yes try a full Linux Live CD or Pendrive...doesn't matter which. The goal is to see if ANY OS will boot without the dock. If it boots without the dock you have a windows problem. Make sense?

I get what you're saying and it makes sense. I will try it.

But, what I dont get is, what is the kind of hardware DEPENDECY that the Ultrabase is providing so that this thing ends up BOOTING without any issues with the Ultrabase. Or does the connection at the Ultrabase have some issues.. where it keeps looking for the Ultrabase and fails if it cant find it.. maybe a light clean with a toothbrush?

I was able to Boot a Win XP PE environment. I'll check if I can boot a Windows 7 PE.

The thing is, even when I did a FACTORY RESTORE using Windows XP Tablet PC on the other Hard Drive. It has the same problem.

My instinct right is, even with the Linux it might boot with the Ultrabase and might not without the Ultrabase. Some kind of wierd hardware thingy happening here.

I'll try another bunch and get back.

Posting this from Linux ISO Bootables i.e. Live CDs (lets see how many i get time to try.. Some of the following were lying downloaded from before on my external HDD):


Puppy 4.00-k2.6.21 - Working
w UB: Fine
w/o UB: Fine

- Sabayon Linux 3.5 x86-64 - Booted and worked fine & snappy. Shutdown just kept me waiting.. ?
w UB: Fine.. took a while but worked.
w/o UB: Boot kept me waiting for a long time so I canned it.

The above linuxes worked. Any thoughts? Should I try another Linux Live CD Distro?

BTW - I am doing a reinstall of Win 7 x64 SP1 Ultimate Retail on the HDD with XP Tablet PC via USB Thumb drive ... without the Ultrabase.
This is the SP1 integrated version.

I am getting this issue now. Cant remember if I got it when I installed it the first time.

Windows 7 Freezes at "Completing Installation"
Bunch of solutions outlined here that I am trying and I am wondering if you guys had to deal with the same.
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/For ... 9b5b504c1/

PPS: Which version and releases of Windows 7 have you guys used for the X61T and have you installed via Bootable USB Pen Drive or via Ultrabase CD/DVD and/ or USB CD/DVD Drive?

crashnburn wrote:The above linuxes worked. Any thoughts? Should I try another Linux Live CD Distro?

BTW - I am doing a reinstall of Win 7 x64 SP1 Ultimate Retail on the HDD with XP Tablet PC via USB Thumb drive ... without the Ultrabase.
This is the SP1 integrated version.

I am getting this issue now. Cant remember if I got it when I installed it the first time.

Windows 7 Freezes at "Completing Installation"
Bunch of solutions outlined here that I am trying and I am wondering if you guys had to deal with the same.
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/For ... 9b5b504c1/

PPS: Which version and releases of Windows 7 have you guys used for the X61T and have you installed via Bootable USB Pen Drive or via Ultrabase CD/DVD and/ or USB CD/DVD Drive?

I've never had an issue installing windows 7 using the ultrabay DVD for X60/X61/X61T. I've probably done it 5-6 times by now. Perhaps your USB flash drive is bad? I've had a USB flash drive that I could copy files to just fine, but when I went to install, it would fail near the end. When I tried a different USB flash drive, the issue was resolved.

I highly doubt that its the Flash Drive as I had the same issue happen even when I installed with the CD/DVD.

I had to use the solution outlined in the link I posted. Basically, disable as many devices as possible and finish installation and ensure you can boot up. Then slowly enable them for them to be recognized.

UPDATE:
I was able to figure out that the "SDA Standard Compliant SD Host Controller" was that one causing the issues:
- tons of DELAY during shutdown (shutdown would eventually fail and I'd have to power it off) and
- was preventing Windows 7 from Booting to success.

I've disabled it, on two instances of Win7x64 install on 2 HDDs which now boot up fine.

If enabled, there's constant attempt to access it (the little green/yellow light keeps flickering) big time and hence the system gets stuck.
Any thoughts on how to fix it?