Boot error 1802: unauthorized network card

[h2]

Machine: thinkpad edge 14

I took this thing apart to replace the screen, and when I put it back together again, I get the dreaded:

Error
1802: Unauthorized network card plugged in.

The problem is that this error has nothing to do with the network card, which is the stock Intel 112BNHMW

I tried removing the card, just to see, and it boots with the same error, which points to a defective bios or something else unknown.

There is no second network card, and the machine cannot be booted.

After struggling with the cheesy connections in this thing, I have lost alll illusions about lenovo thinkpads being anything at all like the old ibm or ibm/lenova machines, but this is a friend's laptop and before I give up on it, I'd like to know if there is any practical way to handle this.

Obviously, since I can't get around the boot error by removing the card, the system is unbootable barring any suggestions someone here might have.

My friend is sad, and the extra sad thing is the new screen install actually worked, despite all those wonky flip squeeze in flat cable connections.

The laptop was purchased november 2010, which means that the cmos battery could be dead.

I'm about ready to give up on this and just get her a used new laptop, but if there is a known solution I'd appreciate learning it, thanks.

I cannot enter bios, f1 starts the process, but then it just hangs, saying:
"To interupt normal startup press enter"
and that's it, nothing else.

I can't use a livecd for fixes since it won't boot, though the cd works and sees the livecd, then everything stops.

[RealBlackStuff]

Is there a Bluetooth module in the lid, that may be loose/bad?
BT could also cause that error.

Try a reset of the machine:
with the machine off, remove battery and charger, then press and hold down the power button for 20 seconds.
(That discharges the capacitors on the motherboard).
Only connect the charger and try to boot.
If OK, switch off, reinsert battery and reboot again.

Before you remove the CMOS battery, make sure that there are no passwords set in the BIOS!

If you get it going again, you could try and remove the wifi Whitelist using this if your type/model fits:
https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread- ... 8#pid58818

PS: the Edge is not considered to be a real Thinkpad, it's just another El Cheapo consumer POS.

[h2]

Thank you for the suggestions, there may, unfortunately, be a partially detached bluetooth, but honestly there is no way I'm going to take this thing all apart again, these connections, as you noted accurately, are something I have never seen the likes of, consumer pos is a very accurate term, had I realized that the edge series was NOT constructed like my old thinkpad t41, which is a delight to work on, I would never have volunteered to replace this monitor, a task that honestly I believe will only work now and then, because of the excessively cheesy cable connections.

I'll try the stuff that doesn't involve fully dismantling it again, but there's another option, when I discovered how cheesy that ribbon cable connection was was when I examined the ends closely under a magnifying glass and realized that they were LOOSE wires next to each other, nothing holding them in position, and some had moved, creating possible short circuit conditions, I've literally never seen anything that chintzy in a laptop, but then again I usually avoid consumer pos stuff because they suck so badly internally.

But helpful info, at this point I have to decide the value of my time versus what is realistically possible.

I'll check the bluetooth stuff, I don't remember there being bluetooth in there.

But thank you very much for your information. For my own information, which of the lenovo 'thinkpad' lines/models are not consumer grade POSs?

[RealBlackStuff]

W/T/X models with the exception of T430/T530/W530/X230 and T440/T540/W540/X240 series.
The T450/T550/W550/X250 are on the mend with (partly) improved keyboards.
Lots of screens are (still) bad but here too they are improving.

Runner-ups are the L models.

FYI: the 3 in T430 etc. means a 2013 model, 4=2014, 5=2015 etc.