Thinkpads Forum

i just joined, this is my first post, although I've been lurking here for some time. I'm a long time lover of Thinkpads, still using a refurb T61 (holding up but with some dings and scuffs), and my first was and old R series. I recently purchased a refurb T420, for which I've noticed something peculiar:

The model # on the bottom of the machine (4177-RVU) does not match the model number given either by System Information, or when I boot to bios. The model number given their is 2912-BR4--a T410!

All other features seem to confirm this is a T420, (and yes, it does say "T420" on the indicator strip). From what I can tell, all the other specs are as described by the reseller. Did someone flash the wrong bios in this thing or something? Or could something else more nefarious be going on?

Welcome to the forum!

Which CPU is shown in BIOS?

ajkula66 wrote:Welcome to the forum!

Which CPU is shown in BIOS?

Hi: Thanx for the prompt response and welcome. I'll type it out exactly as it reads:
CPU Type: Intel (R) Core (TM) i5-2450M CPU
CPU Speed: 2.50 GHz

http://tp.krelay.de/index.php?type=4177-RVU

ThinkPad T420 4177-RVU
i5-2450M(2.5GHz),4GB RAM,320GB 7200rpm HD,14in 1366x768 LCD,Intel HD Graphics,CDRW/DVDRW,Intel 802.11bgn wireless,WWAN option,Bluetooth,1Gb Ethernet,UltraNav,Secure Chip,Camera,6c Li-Ion,Win7 Pro 64

????

gene_s wrote: CPU Type: Intel (R) Core (TM) i5-2450M CPU
CPU Speed: 2.50 GHz

OK so you definitely have a T420 board in there, since the T410 doesn't support that CPU.

My best guess? Brand new replacement motherboard with no serial number, and someone messed up when putting in the info...

Hunt for the HMD program i7tm38us.exe to change the MTM and S/N in BIOS to match the bottom label.

TonyJZX wrote:http://tp.krelay.de/index.php?type=4177-RVU

ThinkPad T420 4177-RVU
i5-2450M(2.5GHz),4GB RAM,320GB 7200rpm HD,14in 1366x768 LCD,Intel HD Graphics,CDRW/DVDRW,Intel 802.11bgn wireless,WWAN option,Bluetooth,1Gb Ethernet,UltraNav,Secure Chip,Camera,6c Li-Ion,Win7 Pro 64

????

Thank you Tony, everything seems to check-out ok.

ajkula66 wrote:

gene_s wrote: CPU Type: Intel (R) Core (TM) i5-2450M CPU
CPU Speed: 2.50 GHz

OK so you definitely have a T420 board in there, since the T410 doesn't support that CPU.

My best guess? Brand new replacement motherboard with no serial number, and someone messed up when putting in the info...

I guess that's not a bad outcome. The "ThinkVantage" button does nothing when pressed, although it's usefulness has dwindled over the years. The only other annoyance is I have that weird tape on the trackpad I've read about in other areas of the forum. Most of the keys are topped with it as well. Other than that, keyboard seems good and fairly responsive.

best,
Gene

RealBlackStuff wrote:Hunt for the HMD program i7tm38us.exe to change the MTM and S/N in BIOS to match the bottom label.

Great suggestion, and it's something I'd like to take on. However reading about it here (although I'm not done yet) seems to require a bootable floppy! No CD's came with my new toy, but I do have older ones from my other Thinkpads. Perhaps a bootable thumbdrive with the file would work?

(Btw, I'm enjoying the sig files here with King Crimson and the drinking of quality beer. I feel I'm in some good company. Heh!)

The HMD download includes instructions to make a bootable USB drive...

RealBlackStuff wrote:The HMD download includes instructions to make a bootable USB drive...

Found the file, after some digging. Extracted it, will give it a go on the weekend, and provide an update, or scream if I need a life preserver.

best,
Gene

RealBlackStuff wrote:The HMD download includes instructions to make a bootable USB drive...

Hmm, not having much luck, get msgs that either no drive to format is found, or else the program will not run under my OS. Strange.

RBS will likely chime in but here's what to do.

Run the download packed exe and it will extract all the files. It should put them in a C:\Drivers directory. Maybe not, wherever they go, go there and run the usbfmtpw.exe application. Put a USB in first, a small one of 1GB will do fine. This will format the USB stick to a bootable drive AND copy over all the HMD files.

Then go in your BIOS, and add the stick to the startup boot table - not really important what order, since you will then reboot and F12 to select that USB stick.

You Must add the USB stick to the Startup - Boot table AFTER you make it bootable with the IBM application. Otherwise it will not show up as an item allowable to be added.

Once you reboot it, change the System Unit Serial Number to the label. I think you need to prefix the # with 1S The UUID will be re-generated and don't change or erase anything else.

cadillacmike68 wrote:RBS will likely chime in but here's what to do.

Run the download packed exe and it will extract all the files. It should put them in a C:\Drivers directory. Maybe not, wherever they go, go there and run the usbfmtpw.exe application. Put a USB in first, a small one of 1GB will do fine. This will format the USB stick to a bootable drive AND copy over all the HMD files...

Thanx for the detailed instructions...I will try in the morning.

cadillacmike68 wrote:RBS will likely chime in but here's what to do.

Run the download packed exe and it will extract all the files... =

Eureka. The problem I was having was my flash drive was buggy. Tried a new one and the formating to bootable drive went fine. After a few tries, and struggling a bit with the syntax, got the utility to work fine. On re-boot the model number is now correct. Thanx everyone here for the help.