I have 2 x identical laptops that I bought from Ebay last week (product# 82R700ABUS). These are remanufactured laptops that are sold as open box, but otherwise in brand new condition, even including the original packaging, literature... etc. 

These laptops came with a fresh copy of Windows 11 so I updated the drivers using the Lenovo Vantage app, and I also updated the UEFI BIOS to the latest version J7CN50WW, release date 13 August 2024. 

The BIOS update completed successfully, but then I noticed that Task Manager was showing only 5.6 GB of RAM available, out of the 8 GB total (there were 7.6 GB's of RAM available prior to this update).

This was very unusual, so I checked the Memory tab of Task Manager, where I found that HARDWARE RESERVED was 2.4 GB of RAM. This value is way too high, as the system usually just reserves about 200 - 400 MB of RAM.  

After that, I used the diagnostics from Lenovo Vantage app and also a separate Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool software, but there were no errors, even after going through the extended tests. Everything was fully functional in Windows 11, no problems at all, but the reserved RAM remained locked.

Long story short, after restarting the computer several times and after trying to search online how to free up the RAM (there are no solutions), I realized that I couldn't determine what's actually reserving this RAM, so I decided to restart the computer into UEFI Settings, to see if there were any settings to free up this unavailable RAM. 

--- First, Problem #1 - After about 15 seconds from entering the UEFI settings, I noticed that the laptop's FAN started to run very loudly at 100% and then another 5 seconds later the laptop just shut down and restarted normally in Windows, without any errors. 

I tried to go back in the UEFI but the same happened, the CPU was overheating every time and the laptop would simply shut down and reboot in Windows. 

I eventually managed to gain more time to see the UEFI startup settings by changing the power settings in the Lenovo Vantage App, in Device Settings/ Power/ Power Modes and I changed the profile from Adaptive Power Mode (Auto) to the BATTERY SAVE mode. In this mode, it seems the CPU is running in a lower power state inside the UEFI startup page and it doesn't overheat that quickly (it still shuts down after about 2-3 minutes). 

Finally inside the UEFI, I noticed that there were no options or settings that could affect the amount of RAM that's reserved. The initial system info page is showing 8 GB of RAM are installed so everything seems to be correct, but Windows would only see 5.6 GB of RAM available. 

After wasting more time back & forth with restarting the laptop in Windows and then in UEFI settings, I decided to apply the factory LOAD DEFAULT SETTINGS to see if that would restore the available RAM. 

The default settings were applied successfully, the computer restarted after a long 20 seconds delay where the CapsLk LED was lit up, but then it eventually turned off, and then the Lenovo boot image appeared, BUT ... 

--- Now, Problem #2 - The computer presented a BLUE ERROR SCREEN after about 1 second into loading Windows, then it restarted 2 more times with the blue screen, until the Windows Recovery menu showed up. At this point, I was presented with the Advanced Recovery Menu or the Restart option. I chose the Restart option, the computer showed the blue screen of death 2 more times, then back to the Advanced or Restart. I chose Restart again and this time it finally loaded into Windows. 

Finally back in Windows, I opened Task Manager and I noticed that there are 7.6 GB of RAM available!!! Mission accomplished, so I celebrated for about 5 seconds, until I noticed there was no internet available. 

I opened Device Manager and I see the Realtek 8822CE wifi device had a yellow exclamation sign. No problem, so I disabled the adapter, then as soon as I enabled it from Device Manager, the computer showed the BLUE SCREEN again and it restarted with the sequence of blue screens... and eventually back in Windows.  

There wasn't much to do after this, the WIFI didn't recover. The laptop is functional with 7.6 GB of RAM and it boots in Windows, but with the wifi card disabled. 

I then decided to replace the original adapter with an old Realtek 8822BE wifi card and everything has been smooth, no more problems until Laptop #2. 

But wait, there's more:  for Laptop #2, I decided to complete the installation of Windows 11 without connecting it to the internet, to prevent Windows from loading any standard drivers or other firmware that may be outdated (as it always does with the intel display driver). 

I went online using the first laptop and I manually downloaded all the drivers from the Lenovo website for this specific model, then I transferred them to the second laptop via a USB drive.  

I then manually installed the drivers to the second laptop until all the missing devices were recognized in Device Manager, but I didn't update the BIOS yet. At this point, the computer was fully functional (still not connected to the internet) with 7.6 GB of RAM available and only the BIOS outdated (unfortunately, I didn't record the original version#).

I then manually installed the executable file for BIOS update J7CN50WW from Lenovo and the Windows setup completed successfully. It then restarted and it continued to update on a black background with basic text showing the progress until it displayed the message Update Completed and it restarted in Windows. 

Everything was great up to this point, then I opened Task Manager to notice that again, only 5.6 GB of RAM were available!!! 

I went into UEFI and I applied the Default Settings and everything repeated the same as before, the blue screens and eventually back in Windows where the RAM went back to normal, but with the wifi card dead. 

I didn't open the second laptop yet to replace the wifi card and it's still not connected to the internet, just to make sure that Windows didn't interfere with the approved updates from Lenovo. 

In conclusion, don't use update J7CN50WW for your BIOS because you'll regret it... you'll either lose 2.4 GB of RAM or you'll burn the wifi card. 

Is there a way to escalate this issue with Lenovo, so they can REMOVE this BIOS version and possibly resolve this problem ??

Also, why is the laptop overheating so quickly in UEFI, to the point of shutting down in seconds ?????

Hi PeryP9,

Thank you for sharing your detailed experience. It sounds like you've encountered significant issues with the BIOS update J7CN50WW. Here are a few steps you can take to escalate this issue and seek a resolution:

Report the Issue to Lenovo Support: You can submit a service request for technical support through the Lenovo Service Request page. Provide all the details you've mentioned here to help them understand the problem thoroughly.

Contact Lenovo Support Directly: Use the Contact Us page to get in touch with a Lenovo support specialist. They can provide more immediate assistance and potentially escalate the issue internally.

Check Warranty and Repair Options: Verify your warranty status using the Warranty Lookup tool. If your laptops are under warranty, you might be eligible for repairs or replacements.

Visit a Local Service Center: Find a local authorized service center through the Lenovo Service Provider page. They can perform maintenance or repair on your devices.

Track Repair Status: If you have already submitted a repair request, you can check the status using the Track Repair Status tool.

Regarding the overheating issue in UEFI, it might be a bug in the BIOS update. Reporting this to Lenovo support will help them investigate and potentially release a fix.

For more information on your product specifications, you can visit the PSREF page.

I hope this helps, and I recommend reaching out to Lenovo support as soon as possible to address these issues.

Best regards,
Dex_Lenovo

I have 3 Levono 1235u laptops and upgraded the bios on all three in the past day via a windows update automatic download. after the upgrade all three suddenly dropped available ram by 2.4gb. I searched the internet and found this thread which details THE EXACT SAME ISSUE I HAVE.  I have not done any of the things he did and broken my wifi adapter like he did, but the source of the problem is the latest firmware as he documented. Like I said I have three of these machines and they are all now severely compromised by having their RAM taken away because of this firmware update. PLEASE HELP!!! I went to all of the resources the support agent specified but they want me to pay $109 just to report the issue that Lenovo caused.  PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Hi guest40221,

Sorry to read that you have also experienced the same scenario. It seems like the BIOS update J7CN50WW is causing significant issues with RAM availability. We appreciate that you shared your experience to us.

It would also be good if you can confirm if you also have the exact same laptop model as the original poster.

Perhaps you may want to start by reloading the BIOS to defaults and see if that changes anything:

Best regards,
Dex_Lenovo

I think you should remove the WIFI card from your laptop, then go into UEFI/BIOS to restore factory settings, otherwise you won't get the RAM memory back.

The RAM memory will be restored and you'll get 2 GB back, but I can guarantee that you'll damage your Realtek WIFI card if you do the BIOS factory restore settings without removing the card (maybe Intel WIFI cards won't be affected, not sure). 

Before you go into UEFI/BIOS settings, you should change your Power settings to BATTERY SAVER in Lenovo Vantage, otherwise the computer will overheat and shut-down very quickly. 

There's nothing to worry about, you won't damage your laptop, but take out the card before you restore the settings. 

Reply to Dex_Lenovo:

Not sure why you're recommending to Load Setup Default settings, when I described in great detail that it will lead to damaging the WIFI card !!! 

This is an interesting post as we also have two lenovos, possibly three year old, will be out of warranty.  One died a week ago, no wifi, no stations showing in wifi and nothing showing in device manager - its as if the card has been removed.

Ive borrowed my laptop to the first user while im in the process of procuring her a new laptop, when suddenly the other user tells me her laptop suddenly started doing a firmware upgrade, and a day later she realises she has no wifi either - exactly the same symptoms. 

I need to go back and check what the firmware version is to see if i have experienced the same problem- so questions

a) Is this irreversible or can i reload the previous firmware

b) if so, what's the process for rolling back the firmware

c) when you say the upgrade burns the wifi card, are you sayin it messes up the settings / software or it causes real physical damage to the wifi card?

d) is it definitely the firmware at fault, or is it windows update gone wrong?

@rweuk wrote:

This is an interesting post as we also have two lenovos, possibly three year old, will be out of warranty.  One died a week ago, no wifi, no stations showing in wifi and nothing showing in device manager - its as if the card has been removed.

Ive borrowed my laptop to the first user while im in the process of procuring her a new laptop, when suddenly the other user tells me her laptop suddenly started doing a firmware upgrade, and a day later she realises she has no wifi either - exactly the same symptoms. 

I need to go back and check what the firmware version is to see if i have experienced the same problem- so questions

a) Is this irreversible or can i reload the previous firmware

b) if so, what's the process for rolling back the firmware

c) when you say the upgrade burns the wifi card, are you sayin it messes up the settings / software or it causes real physical damage to the wifi card?

d) is it definitely the firmware at fault, or is it windows update gone wrong?

Hi rweuk,

Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm sorry to hear about the issues you're encountering with your Lenovo laptops. Let's address your questions one by one:

a) Is this irreversible or can I reload the previous firmware? - Yes, it is possible to roll back to a previous BIOS version. You can download the earlier BIOS version from the Lenovo Support Website and follow the instructions provided to perform the downgrade. Ensure you follow the steps carefully to avoid any further issues.

b) What's the process for rolling back the firmware? - To roll back the firmware, follow these steps: 1. Visit the Lenovo Support Website. 2. Search for your specific laptop model and navigate to the BIOS section. 3. Download the previous BIOS version. 4. Follow the instructions provided in the download package to install the older BIOS version. This typically involves creating a bootable USB drive and running the BIOS update utility.

c) When you say the upgrade burns the wifi card, are you saying it messes up the settings/software or it causes real physical damage to the wifi card? - Based on the reports, it appears that the BIOS update may cause a conflict with the WiFi card's firmware or settings, leading to it being non-functional. While it is less likely to cause physical damage, the software/firmware conflict can render the WiFi card inoperable. Replacing the WiFi card, as mentioned by PeryP9, has resolved the issue for some users.

d) Is it definitely the firmware at fault, or is it a Windows update gone wrong? - Given the symptoms described and the timing of the issues following the BIOS update, it is more likely that the BIOS update is the primary cause. However, it is always good practice to ensure that all drivers and Windows updates are current and compatible with your system.

For further assistance, I recommend reaching out to Lenovo's technical support team directly. You can contact them through the Lenovo Support Website or visit an Authorized Service Center for in-person support.

If you need any more help or have additional questions, feel free to ask.

Best regards,
Dex_Lenovo