EEPROM write protected - T61

[norma023]

I know, beating a dead horse here.

I'm not new to Lenovo Thinkpads or anything, and we've been replacing planar cards since the T43 line, so this is definately not a new process I'm trying to do...

But I replaced the planar card on a T61, and am trying to update the EEPROM info and cannot get past the EEPROM is write-protected message.

With that said, here's what i've got:
HMD version 1.75, a USB floppy drive, and my floppy disc is NOT write proteced

what works: I can update is the UUID
what doesn't work: updating the EEPROM

So I've hit the ESC key at system startup and I've hit the ESC key while at the IBM Blue HMD splash screen, and each and every time I get the EEPROM is write protected message.

I've gotten this message in the past, numerous times, but it usually works after a few additional attempts.
But this time it is not working (easily 10+ attempts, and this isn't rocket science either), however I'm about ready to bag it and do other important things and give this machine back to the customer.

Any last words of advice (yes I've searched the forums here for T61 and EEPROM and have followed whatever suggestions I've saw)?

Thanks!

[richk]

You may need to hit esc a couple or 3 times. You will know it unlocked if the IBM screen is replaced by the memory check screen.

[Brad]

If I miss pressing ESC before the booting process begins I need to power down the ThinkPad and try again. I have never unlocked the EEPROM once starting and missing pressing ESC without powering down and starting over.

Brad

[peterh]

You need HMD: 1.76

Search and ye shall find (well, I did on this forum a couple of weeks ago!).

Failing that, PM me with your email and I'll send you a copy.

Yours,
Peter

[norma023]

there's a version 1.76?? Didn't see that anywhere.

I had thought of powering down completly and starting from a cold boot, so did that once but no luck.

However I was able to get this to work using HMD 1.75. I think it's a timing issue really and you have to hit the ESC key at the_exact_moment (thanks richk!). Good thing too as the customer has not come in yet to pick up their laptop!

Thanks all!

[petrograd]

Hi guys, i see the memory count screen but what am I supposed to see next? That's all that happens and then it returns to normal.

[RealBlackStuff]

And there has been a Maint177 since and the current one is Maint178, which now also includes a USB key version.

[George106]

Hi guys,

I have T61 with empty model number/serial number and tried HMD 1.78 as described above. Also went through memory check screen ans still get EEPROM write protected message (I use USB flash key). I have tried it many times and still the same result. Also tried to change it through BIOS update utility (model change option)with no result as the first box is greyed out and second doesn't accept any number/letter combination.

Could anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks
George

[RealBlackStuff]

Get a USB floppy drive, they come in quite handy everywhere.
Since HMD is proprietary software, we are not allowed to give any further info than what is already available on this forum.

[George106]

Hi, just to confirm USB FDD solved problem.