A31p Invalid Machine Type error with software Installer

Message

geeve · #1 Post by **geeve** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:28 pm

Hello All,

I seem to be having the same problem as some of the other people on this board and i can't seem to resolve the issue.

I have an A31p and everytime i run the software installer it gives me an invalid machine type error.

I read some previous posts and you had asked to check the system information and it seems mine has the machine type missing.(see below)

I just did the latest bios update but that didn't fix the problem either.

System details
BIOS version: 1.12 (1GET40WW)
BIOS date : 2005-04-05
Embedded controller version: 1.04
Machine type-Model:
System unit serial number:
System board serial number: J1XXXXXXXXX

When i go onto the IBM web site and do an auto detect the site returns an error saying it cannot detect the machine...

How do i update the bios to resolve this?
Is there a hardware maintenance disk for the A31p?

Please help...

FordAntiTrust · #2 Post by **FordAntiTrust** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 12:40 am

This Message has been edited by Moderator

and me too.

Picture 1.

Picture 2.

my thinkpad is ibm thinkpad r40 2722-jt6 and repeat m/b since 1 year ago.

G-Man · #3 Post by **G-Man** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 4:36 am

So your TP's motherboard has been replaced by IBM a year ago? I guess they forgot to enter the machine type number and the serial number. What about in the BIOS? Do you see the machine type number?

Regards,
G-Man

G-Man · #4 Post by **G-Man** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 4:45 am

geeve,

You seem to have the latest BIOS and BIOS Embedded Controller Program. Try to install an earlier
BIOS version. Not sure if it solves your problem though. Do you see the machine type number in the BIOS main screen?

Regards,
G-Man

FordAntiTrust · #5 Post by **FordAntiTrust** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 6:55 am

G-Man wrote:So your TP's motherboard has been replaced by IBM a year ago? I guess they forgot to enter the machine type number and the serial number. What about in the BIOS? Do you see the machine type number?

Regards,
G-Man

So your TP's motherboard has been replaced by IBM a year ago?
- yes.

What about in the BIOS?
- BIOS version: 1.26 (1PET58WW) <----- lastest BIOS Version
BIOS date : 2005/01/03
Embedded controller version: 1.14 (1OHT42WW) <----- lastest Embedded controller Version
Machine type-Model: empty
System unit serial number: empty
System board serial number: 1Z7UJ3CC462
UID - all number in UID is "0".

Do you see the machine type number?
- in machine type number is empty.

I'm sorry in syntax english for this post or message. I'm not sure in english language.

G-Man · #6 Post by **G-Man** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 7:33 am

I think it's definitely the IBM service's fault. They haven't entered the machine type number and the system unit serial number when they replaced the mobo. Call them, and they are going to fix in a few days.

*Edit: If I remember correctly, when you update the BIOS, there is an option to enter the machine type number manually and maybe the serial number too. These numbers should be on a sticker on the bottom of your TP.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
G-Man

FordAntiTrust · #7 Post by **FordAntiTrust** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 8:03 am

in update BIOS Program not "enter the machine type number manually" or same menu. T_T
http://thaicyberpoint.com/~ford/tp3.jpg

G-Man · #8 Post by **G-Man** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 12:36 pm

Weird. I just checked my T40 BIOS Update Utility, and there is a 3rd option: "Update Model Number" where you can manually enter the machine type number. Looks like the A31's BIOS Update Utility doesn't have this option. There is no option to enter the serial number though.

Call IBM, tell them your problem. They will ask you to send your TP to them. They'll fix it for free.

Regards,
G-Man

geeve · #9 Post by **geeve** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 5:51 pm

Hey guys,

When i first bought my laptop 4 years ago i had a problem with the display. IBM took the latop for a couple days and brought it back. i don't know if thye changed the motherboard.

The machine type does not show up in the bios either. It shows empty.

When i try to install an earlier version of the bios, it kicks me out saying my bios is the latest version and i don't need to update.

When i installed the latest bios version it did not give me the option to enter in the machine type.

I called IBM, and the rep told me to take it to a service center. Supposedly they have the "tools" there to fix the problem.

Anyone know what the "tools" are?

Is there anyway i can do it myself?

FordAntiTrust · #10 Post by **FordAntiTrust** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 8:00 pm

Thank you G-Man for all answer.

Where I can download "IBM Hardware Maintenance Utility" ? or can you send to me at "admin@thaicyberpoint.com"?

G-Man · #11 Post by **G-Man** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 7:17 am

You've got an email.

BTW, you can't really download it. Only IBM Service Centers and Business Partners have access to it. Hope it works.

Regards,
G-Man

geeve · #12 Post by **geeve** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 11:57 am

Hi G-man,

I'd like to try the maintenance utility as well.

Could you please email it to me at XXXXXXXXXXX

Much appreciated!

a31pguy · #13 Post by **a31pguy** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 11:59 am

Haven't had time to look into depth on this. But this is a problem for me as well.

G-Man · #14 Post by **G-Man** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 3:17 pm

geeve, a31pguy,

Email sent. Let me know how it turns out.

Regards,
G-Man

a31pguy · #15 Post by **a31pguy** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 3:49 pm

You're the man!

JHEM · #16 Post by **JHEM** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 5:42 pm

a31pguy wrote:You're the man!

Only because I sent it to HIM!

Regards,

James

a31pguy · #17 Post by **a31pguy** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 5:53 pm

Well thanks are in order then James!

)

G-Man · #18 Post by **G-Man** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 3:28 am

JHEM wrote:Only because I sent it to HIM!

Regards,
G-Man

PS: Do you happen to have version 1.71?

geeve · #19 Post by **geeve** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 11:02 am

G-man & James you guys are champs!

I got it to work on my A31p.

Great little utility.

A quick note to other people trying this utility:

When you enter in your 'system unit serial number', the format is as follows:

00MMMMTTTSSSSSSS

MMMM= Model Number (example: 2653)
TTT = Type (example: H5U)
SSSSSSS = Unit Serial Number (example: 89-CX817)

So in this example you would enter:
002653h5u89cx817

Hope this helps...

Geeve

G-Man · #20 Post by **G-Man** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 12:59 pm

Great news! I'm glad it turned out well. And thanks for your quick note.

Regards,
G-Man

SeanM · #21 Post by **SeanM** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 5:23 pm

Technically, the "00" should be "1S", but for the purposes of this utility I don't think it matters.

You should also hit the caps lock and do everything in caps here, last I checked if the model number was in lower case in bios, the SWI wouldn't work.

Glad to hear you're all straightened out!

Benedict · #22 Post by **Benedict** » Sun May 01, 2005 9:36 pm

Hey guys!

I have the same problem with the software update, BUT instead, I have an IBM R40 Type:2722-cu3

Is that tool that you guys are talkin about going to help?

G-Man · #23 Post by **G-Man** » Mon May 02, 2005 2:41 am

Benedict,

I'll send it to you tonight.

Regards,
G-Man

JHEM · #24 Post by **JHEM** » Mon May 02, 2005 8:10 am

G-Man wrote:Benedict,

I'll send it to you tonight.

Already taken care of G.

Regards,

James

Benedict · #25 Post by **Benedict** » Mon May 02, 2005 8:20 am

Thanks

I'll have to burn it on CD tonight.... Don't have a CD-r right now. lol

G-Man · #26 Post by **G-Man** » Mon May 02, 2005 9:50 am

Thanks James. You're Da Bomb.

Regards,
G-Man

Benedict · #27 Post by **Benedict** » Mon May 02, 2005 5:00 pm

doesn't look too good.

When i select option from the tool, i get this message

"EEPRO is write-protected.
Plsase power off and on, then try to to press ESC key when IBM Logo is displayed"

Help any one?

btw, this is an 2722-cu3 if it make any difference.

JHEM · #28 Post by **JHEM** » Mon May 02, 2005 5:31 pm

Benedict wrote:doesn't look too good.

I was afraid of that. It appears that you need Version 1.71, not available to the public AFAIK.

Ah well, it was worth a try.

You'll have to take it in to a local IBM service shop.

Sorry,

James

Benedict · #29 Post by **Benedict** » Mon May 02, 2005 9:15 pm

aww... I was wishing that was not the case.
It kinda weird, because R40 is listed as one of the supported TP in the text file.

Oh well... Just i have to bring it in. Good thing we have IBM support right at our school.

but if anyone have 1.71, let me know.

SeanM · #30 Post by **SeanM** » Tue May 03, 2005 7:55 pm

If it says the R40 is supported in the text file, it'll work fine. You just have to do what the disk told you to. Let me elaborate:

When you turn on the machine and see the "IBM" logo screen, then the F1 and F12 messages appear in the bottom left of the screen, start tapping the ESC key. Tap it until the graphic logo goes away, and you see a text bootup screen with a memory check and other stuff. . . at that point, you can hit F12 if you need to in order to select your boot device. Then boot to the disk, and try again.

A31p Invalid Machine Type error with software Installer

A31p Invalid Machine Type error with software Installer

Re: A31p Invalid Machine Type error with software Installer

Yes - this is a problem for me as well.

Re: Yes - this is a problem for me as well.

like karma what goes around comes around.

Who is online