LCD Screen Will Not Work After CPU Upgrade on R61

[portosown362]

I recently got a T8300 dual-core cpu for my R61. Opening and installing the cpu was not a problem, however, when I turned on the laptop, the lcd screen would not work. I checked the cpu installation several times, making sure the cpu was properly locked in place and that all internal connections and fittings were secured. Despite this, the lcd screen refused to work. I then reinstalled the original cpu (Intel Celeron 540) and the lcd screen worked perfectly with it.

I suspect the problem might be a compatibility issue (most likely with the BIOS), however, if anybody has any suggestions and advice, I am more than ready to hear them!


P.S. I checked the BIOS and found out that it is locked! There is a padlock icon and it will give you (3) three chances to put in the correct password. Is there any way around this?

[RealBlackStuff]

Check this: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... migr-59377
Or see my signature.

[portosown362]

Hi RealBlackStuff, thanks for the link!

I checked the link and I found this section useful, particularly for locked BIOS: "Forgotten Supervisor Password (BIOS)
A forgotten Supervisor password will prevent access to the ThinkPad BIOS setup utility. To regain access, the system will need to be serviced to have the system board and hard drive replaced. Proof of purchase is required, and this repair is not covered under the warranty." Source: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... migr-59377

What exact service will they conduct to reset the BIOS password? Can this be done with a particular tool or program?

Also, Lenovo shows (4) four available CPUS for the R61: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-67735

-T7100
-T7300
-T7500
-T7700

The T8300 fits, but I may need to modify the BIOS, which, again is locked. If I buy one these CPUS, will the current BIOS recognize and accept it readily without any other modifications/upgrades to the BIOS?

[RealBlackStuff]

THEY (read: Lenovo) will charge you a kidney, an arm and a leg (like $500-$700) for replacing the motherboard and possibly the HD.
Suggestion: read the smallprint in my previous post.
Without a BIOS update, you might be able to use a Penryn CPU, but you will either get an error message at every boot, or it won't work.
After applying Middleton's BIOS, you can use T8100/T8300/T9300/T9500/X9000 CPUs.

[Saucey]

I've think I have applied the Middleton BIOS update on a locked X61.
I think it runs the CD as long as you don't press F12

[portosown362]

Thank you for all your suggestions everyone!

Based from RealBlackStuff and Saucey's inputs, these are some options to consider:

1. Lenovo's $500-700 "servicing" is only based on the motherboard and hdd. At that price, it's much more feasible to get a used, quad-core thinkpad.

2. A motherboard for the R61 costs $40-50. For around $60-80, I can get a used thinkpad with a dual-core processor.

3. Lenovo lists the t7100, t7300, t7500 and t7700 as options for the R61. It's not guaranteed, but I think installing one of these without updating the BIOS might work. A nice cheap way to test this is by getting a t7100, which are just $2-3.

Thank you again for all your help - I will give you guys updates.

[portosown362]

Received my T7100 cpu, installed it and it works flawlessly. No BIOS upgrade/modifications needed.

The T7100, when compared with today's cpus, is not exactly a powerhouse, but I find it's performance surprisingly much more than adequate for my needs and wants. I do not have any complaints or issues with it.

Thank you everyone for all your inputs. I hope these posts help others conducting similar cpu projects to their R61.

[RealBlackStuff]

The Celeron is only a 1-core CPU with 1MB L2-cache, whereas T7100 and higher are all Core-2-Duo CPUs with between 2 and 6 MB L2-cache.