Lenovo asked me to update my BIOS, then bricked my laptop.

[bryanosaur]

Earlier today, I ran the Thinkvantage update tool, and it showed that a new BIOS update was available. I ran the tool, and now my laptop won't start. The power light turns on, but nothing else happens. I tried various fixes I found online (removing the battery, as well as the CMOS battery etc.) to no avail.

I just got off the phone with Lenovo tech support, and they kindly informed me that my warranty expired 4 days ago (9/24), and that it would cost $576 to send it in for repair.

What are my options at this point, besides forking out close to 600 bucks?

Thanks for your help!

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

Sorry to hear about your predicament.

What laptop exactly are we discussing here?

[bryanosaur]

Welcome to the forum!

Sorry to hear about your predicament.

What laptop exactly are we discussing here?

My x230, sorry.

[ajkula66]

That's gotta hurt...being just a few days out of warranty. Ugh.

Your only choice - short of a new laptop purchase - is to swap the motherboard.

If you're not up for doing it yourself, there are members here who offer that type of service and have helped numerous unhappy ThinkPadders in the past.

Good luck.

[posscakes]

oh man, that is the stuff of nightmares...

[rumbero]

My x230, sorry.

Chances might be that you could still buy a warranty extension for much less money than the repair might cost you, and then have it repaired under these new circumstances.

[emeraldgirl08]

@OP. I am sorry to hear about your ordeal. If you look under your ThinkPad and take note of the model type (should be 7-alphanumeric digits like XXXX-xxx) and enter those digits in at Lenovo Support you will get details on your X230. In addition if you look under the header 'Drivers and Software' there you will see the list of drivers categorized by component or software. Under BIOS you will see a subheader BIOS Update Bootable CD for Windows 8 (32-bit, 64-bit), 7 (32-bit, 64-bit), Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), XP - ThinkPad.

That is how I recommend updating the BIOS on a ThinkPad. The file that will be downloaded will be the BIOS update in ISO form. You will need to burn that to a CD to make it bootable upon start. Updating the BIOS through this method is far more reliable IMO provided you burn the ISO at a slow speed. I recommend X2 or X4 speeds for the burn. Also before a flash using the bootable CD method make sure you are undocked (if on a dock), unplug all USB peripherals, have a nicely charged battery, and cross those fingers! I have been on the forums for a couple of years and see many threads regarding failed BIOS updates from win-flashing. I really really really wish the BIOS update would not be an option in the Thinkvantage Update Program! Quite irritating to say the least. Hope you get this matter resolved soon! Best of luck

@Rumbero. That is an excellent idea! Would be great for OP if that works

[precip9]

A thread on BIOS recovery was previously posted on this forum:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 30&start=0

There should be a sticky thread on this, with this added advice:

***Never, Ever, update your BIOS from within Windows***

***Always use a bootable CD***

I have not seen any posted complaints about failed BIOS flashes while using the CD.

[skinnie]

X230 doesn't have CD. Do USB ones work?
I updated about 3 bios in my x230 using windows and no problem at all (but yes I recognise that CDs are much better).
I don't know about thinkpads but for Hp laptops there was a tool (phoenix bios recovery I guess) that with a USB floppy would allow you to reflash you bios even if it failed. USB pendrives wouldn't work.

[BillyBob2]

Something here bugs me about Lenovo's reply rep's reply.
1st thing is when you get a reply, like your warranty ran out 4 days ago.
That is the time to speak with the supervisor and get an acceptation to the 4 day laps.

However, even before that. Where did you purchase your laptop? was it from Lenovo direct or a 3rd party?
as if from a 3rd party, there is a very good chance that your laptop may still be in warranty. As the date that
Lenovo has in there system is the date the laptop left there whorehouse, and not the date of sale to you.

The warranty starts from the moment you got it in your hands. or maybe the date it was sold to you.

So double check!
and talk to a supervisor if that does not work.

By the way, I had the exact same issue of the Windows BIOS update bricked my laptop. Luckily I am well with in the warranty.

[skinnie]

I Just updated today my x230 bios, from windows, as always and zero problems