Missing Serial number on T42 (2378-FUU)

Message

Grayz · #1 Post by **Grayz** » Fri May 13, 2005 9:28 pm

Hi everyone,

I have done alot of searching/reading on this board, and have finally decided to post, because I cannot seem to solve my problem. I recently had my systemboard replaced (due to lcd turning off/machine rebooting when lid is moved or machine is jiggled.) When they did this, the tech failed to reapply my serial number.

I originally found this problem when trying to use the new software updater, and some googling brought me to this site.

Since then, I have managed to find a copy of the Thinkpad Maintenance program, version 1.69. However, when I try to Set the System Information, it says that the EEPROM is write-protected. It then recommends that I power off, then press escape while the IBM logo is showing on boot. I have tried this (as well as the access ibm button, F12) but nothing seems to set my EEPROM to read only.

I also tried updating my model in the latest bios update utility (although I can only enter the FUU part) however, this didn't seem to apply/have any effect.

It seems that version 1.71 of the Maintenance program may fix my problems.

To forstall any comments telling me to take it back to the service center, although this is definately an option, I would like to exhaust my other options first. I am very busy with work at the moment, and cannot afford to be without my laptop for a long period of time. At the IBM certified service center nearest to me, the technician(s) are busy, and it took then 2-3 days before they even looked at my laptop when I brought it in for the systemboard problem.

Any Thoughts/Suggestions?

Grayz · #2 Post by **Grayz** » Fri May 13, 2005 9:44 pm

I managed to find a workaround to get the software updater working.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?p=71133#top

This still doesn't solve my serial number, and needs to be reset any time I resintall windows....

GrayZ

JHEM · #3 Post by **JHEM** » Fri May 13, 2005 10:03 pm

You'll need to send or take your unit in to IBM to have a tech correct the serial/model number problem in the BIOS. The utility program to perform this is ver. 1.71 and is not available to the public as yet.

Regards,

James

brainpicker · #4 Post by **brainpicker** » Sat May 14, 2005 6:33 pm

Grayz,
I did just that (sending it to IBM to put in a serial number) 3 weeks ago. I called Monday morning... IBM had DHL deliver a box THAT DAY. I called DHL and they came back to pick it up that same day too! By Wednesday morning I had it back. 40 hours total. Try it. It's better that waiting for a software release to the public. I think IBM/Lenovo have other issues to fix first.

Yak

waspie · #5 Post by **waspie** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:19 am

as an ibm technician i should be able to download this, does anyone know where to get it?

KillaByte · #6 Post by **KillaByte** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 2:51 pm

HMD v1.69 will do. Have a look at this Thread.

waspie · #7 Post by **waspie** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 11:27 pm

finally found the disk! i got version 1.72
if you're a business partnet click
ecas and dealer tips
then put in your model info and soon enough you'll find a list of downloads
wahoo!

bzipp · #8 Post by **bzipp** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 7:42 pm

I've got a similar problem to others here -- no serial number after system board replacement. I have v. 1.72 of hardware maintenance diskette. It tells me EEPROM is write-protected.

I've done what it says -- hit escape key when IBM logo appears, but it remains locked. I can't figure it out.

Any advice?

#9 Post by **GomJabbar** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 8:50 pm

Just an idea. Don't know if it will make any difference. Have you checked the security settings in the BIOS setup menu?

Starting with the computer in a powered off state, turn on and press F1 about once a second at the beginning of the boot sequence until the BIOS setup menu begins to load. Once in the BIOS setup menu, check the settings under security. Note, if you have a Supervisor password set, this could prevent your flashing the EEPROM without entering the password.

#10 Post by **bill bolton** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 11:04 pm

> HMD v1.69 will do.

I was finally able to get the model type and serial back to matching what is on the bottom label on my T41 using HMD v1.69 plus the advice contained the linked message thread.

IBM did an on-site warranty replacement of the T41 motherboard for an Ethernet connector fault, but left me with an odd model number and serial number.

Cheers,

Bill

kyrotech · #11 Post by **kyrotech** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 9:47 am

SPM is your friend

zverg · #12 Post by **zverg** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 6:01 pm

bill bolton wrote:> HMD v1.69 will do.

I was finally able to get the model type and serial back to matching what is on the bottom label on my T41 using HMD v1.69 plus the advice contained the linked message thread.

IBM did an on-site warranty replacement of the T41 motherboard for an Ethernet connector fault, but left me with an odd model number and serial number.

Cheers,

Bill

argh the same happened to me, and the IBM service guy just told me to go to an authorized service centre and mention "MAINT172.exe" and they'll know how to get it.

#13 Post by **bill bolton** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 6:43 pm

> MAINT172.exe

That's the most recent version of the Hardware Maintenance program. Version 1.69 is the one you can find and download off the web.

Cheers,

Bill

Sydney, Australia

zverg · #14 Post by **zverg** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 7:58 pm

bill bolton wrote:> MAINT172.exe

That's the most recent version of the Hardware Maintenance program. Version 1.69 is the one you can find and download off the web.

Cheers,

Bill

Sydney, Australia

Yeah, I ran 1.69 (after going to compusa to get a usb floppy drive) and changed it, I'll see how it goes now.

acz · #15 Post by **acz** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:00 am

After my motherboard was replaced, I had the "weird serial number" problem. So the next day I took the unit back to the technician who did the work. He plugged in an external USB floppy drive with the special IBM non-public diskette, booted up, and then we entered the correct serial number. Of course I made sure there were no bootup passwords to get in the way. The entire visit took less than five minutes, and I did not have to ship anything.

zverg · #16 Post by **zverg** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:13 am

acz wrote:After my motherboard was replaced, I had the "weird serial number" problem. So the next day I took the unit back to the technician who did the work. He plugged in an external USB floppy drive with the special IBM non-public diskette, booted up, and then we entered the correct serial number. Of course I made sure there were no bootup passwords to get in the way. The entire visit took less than five minutes, and I did not have to ship anything.

When I set it to read my EEPROM it found two serial numbers, one was a mainboard number and one was the System-unit serial. I changed the mainboard number to 1S23739XUXXXXXXX (though I don't think that was necessary... I think the problem is that when the tech did the thing with the disk he forgot the "1S" before my system-unit serial number. Hooray, I finally got the software installer working. ... now I just need to resolve that little issue of 2 hours of battery life with the 6-cell main battery and the ultrabay slim battery, with the processor speed at the minimum possible and the display down. Oh yeah and that little issue of them forgetting to give me my windows xp license sticker when it went in for service. argh.

acz · #17 Post by **acz** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 3:15 am

Perhaps I was just fortunate, but I took my T41p to the CompuCom service center near Sacramento. I spoke with the technician beforehand, explained the problem, gave him the IBM case number, asked him to order the part (new motherboard) and he called a few days later to let me know that the part had arrived. Then we made arrangements for a day when I would be in town and able to leave the machine, and when he was pretty sure he could get it done within 24 hours. I dropped it off at about 9 am, and got the call to come back and pick it up at 2 pm that day. We fixed the serial number oversight the next day. I could not have been more pleased!

KillaByte · #18 Post by **KillaByte** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 4:50 pm

Yeah - I could have done that too the last two times but I was just too lazy to take it to the service center again and wanted to find out if I could do it myself

@zverg:
So now your machine *and* mainboard serial numbers are the same? The mainboard serial should always be OK since it is pre-programmed on every motherboard.

Missing Serial number on T42 (2378-FUU)

Missing Serial number on T42 (2378-FUU)

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