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A31 no post - 4 4 beep codes point to Security Chip?

R30/R40, A30/A31, G40/G50 and Z60/Z61 Series. NOT for AMD-Ryzen.
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TPFanatic
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A31 no post - 4 4 beep codes point to Security Chip?

#1 Post by TPFanatic » Wed May 10, 2017 7:38 pm

I got around to taking my two A31s in for service. Disassembled both, scientifically tested parts from each, put together a desirable model with a working GPU, screen, 2.0ghz P4M, 2GB Ram, built in wireless.

One machine was losing its date and time so I pulled the CMOS battery and replaced it.

Now on boot it gives me 4 4 beep codes which https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht035729 says is the System Board (Security Chip).

Well now I'm ------ aren't I?

A31's HMM says some Security Chips are removable system boards. I'm going to go in and see if this is the case. Then what do I do?

Shame. I was looking forwards to using this again.

TPFanatic
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Re: A31 no post - 4 4 beep codes point to Security Chip?

#2 Post by TPFanatic » Wed May 10, 2017 7:51 pm

Removed and replaced the security chip and still no dice.

RIP A31p. 2002-2017.

TPFanatic
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Re: A31 no post - 4 4 beep codes point to Security Chip?

#3 Post by TPFanatic » Wed May 10, 2017 8:00 pm

nevermind I fixed it. Explanation here. /viewtopic.php?t=90116

Lesson learnt: Don't exchange RAM with Cmos battery removed.

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Re: A31 no post - 4 4 beep codes point to Security Chip?

#4 Post by rkawakami » Wed May 10, 2017 8:29 pm

Funny that my post from almost 7 years ago helped with your problem, although the beep code seems to be different. Still have that X60 sitting on my dining room table but now it has been basically replaced by a W520; haven't used it in about two months.
Ray Kawakami
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.

TPFanatic
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Re: A31 no post - 4 4 beep codes point to Security Chip?

#5 Post by TPFanatic » Wed May 10, 2017 9:23 pm

It is pretty amazing. This forum has been invaluable to me.

Now my 15 year Hitachi travelstar w/ Windows XP has finally kicked the bucket and won't boot past the Windows screen... at least I think it's the drive, not the computer, causing the problem. I'll try to save what I can from it, then I'll put in a new drive and install Ubuntu or Windows 7, or both.

kfzhu1229
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Re: A31 no post - 4 4 beep codes point to Security Chip?

#6 Post by kfzhu1229 » Fri May 12, 2017 1:27 am

get a hard drive from the T4x era to get a good performance vs. price balance. The 5400rpm hdd speed increase over the 4200rpm ones are very noticible
Dell Lat CP MMX-233 64mb 40gb W2k
600 PII-266 416mb 40gb WXP
T23 PIII 1.13ghz 1gb W7
Precision M4300 X9000 8gb 160gb WUXGA Ultrasharp fp W10
T530i 15.6" i7 16gb fp W10
UXGA:
A30p PIII 1.2 1gb W7 (IDTech)
T43p 2.26 2gb fp W10 (Sharp)
Lat C840 P4-2.5 2gb 60gb W7 (Ultrasharp)

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