Problem:
Black screen. No BIOS read-outs. Not possible to enter the BIOS menu. CPU fan, hard drive and other indicator lights up and works normally.
Synopsis:
PC starts normally at about every 30 attempts. In this case, the BIOS (F2) or Windows 7 starts normally. Observations suggest that PC will only start when it is completely cold, ie when it has been off for at least 2 hours between 2 start-up attempts. This time can be reduced to about 15 min, if cooling elements are placed on both sides of the motherboard (below the PC, and on top of the keyboard).
What has been studied / tried?
Power supply and connectors - ok.
Battery ok (though worn and should be replaced because it will no longer charge for max capacity).
CMOS battery holds 3V (although volt drops at loads > 5 mA).
Ram, HDD and CPU is tested / changed and found ok.
Motherboards (incl. Graphics chip) has been tested and found ok using various test programs from the official Lenovo Support.
Visual inspection of the motherboard: Nothing to report.
Heating the graphics chip using heat gun (in order to eliminate any cold solder joints) did not solve the problem.
Attempt installation of the latest original BIOS executable file from the Lenovo Support (only possible under Windows) fails:
- Error 216 - Failed to read the BIOS from ROM! Status = 1604
Attempts unpacking of the original BIOS executable file from Lenovo Support succeed not in spite of several attempts.
Attempting to install the 'BIOS alternative made' (Links.C) using. Phoenix BIOS Recovery (WINCRIS.EXE) also fails.
Solution:
On another PC, perform the following:
- Download and un-rar 'HP tool' (Links.K)
- Install HP program: 'HP USB DOS Drive.exe'
- Create a bootable USB key (max 4GB): In Administrator mode run the program: 'HPUSBFW.exe'. Tick the 'Quick Format' and 'Create a DOS startup disk'. Mark 'Using DOS system files located that' and specify the path where the extracted DOS98 directory is located
- Register on www.bios-mods.com download and un-rar file 'BIOS alternative made' (Links.C)
- Copy the extracted files from point.4 to the root of the USB key
On the sick Lenovo PC perform the following (and it is a prerequisite that it is one of the times where the PC has "desired" to start):
- Make sure your computer will boot from the USB key: Either by editing the boot order in the BIOS. Or by activating the Novo button. Or, press F12 (Boot Devices). Or keep pressing the Fn + B down, connect the AC adapter and then turn on the PC by pressing the Power button (Links.A)
- When the PC is started from the USB in DOS mode run: 'flash.bat'
Now BIOS is updated and the PC can start as normal and without any problems !
However, there are a few things that should be corrected:
- Download and install the latest original BIOS Lenovo Support:
- Follow the instructions from the Lenovo Support
- Possibly Windows must be re-activated (min should at least):
- Locate your Windows license label and enter 'Product Key'
Error Cause / conclusion:
Corrupt BIOS
Undecided:
- What made the BIOS become corrupted?
- Why would the PC only start when it was cold?
Links:
A) Phoenix BIOS Recovery:
https://www.bios-mods.com/bios-recovery/phoenix-bios-recovery/
B) Brand New Z580 Ideapad Will not Start (Black Screen):
https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-P-Y-and-Z-series/Brand-New-Z580-Ideapad-Won-t-Start-Black-screen/td-p/900627/page/2
C) Lenovo Z580 BIOS Mod V3.1 FINAL [2.7]:
https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-Lenovo-Z580-BIOS-Mod-V3-1-FINAL-02-07-DOWNLOAD
D) Z580 Bios Key:
https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-PY-and-Z-series/Z580-Bios-key/mp/974459/highlight/true#M100613
E) Ideapad Z580 stuck on Boot Menu after BIOS update forsøger:
https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-P-Y-and-Z-series/Ideapad-Z580-stuck-on-Boot-Menu-after-BIOS-update-attempt/m-p/1740871#M80540
F) Lenovo IdeaPad Y560 BIOS Recovery:
https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-PY-and-Z-series/Lenovo-ideaPad-Y560-BIOS-Recovery/td-p/377911
G) Firmware issues on L322X:
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19522061
H) Inspiron 5720 17R booting problem:
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19579193
I) Solved: Bios upgrade:
https://forums.techguy.org/threads/solved-bios-upgrade.1044089/
J) How to Flash modified or original BIOS:
https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-HOW-TO-FLASH-MODIFIED-OR-ORIGINAL-BIOS
K) HP tool (Flash Package), which can create a bootable USB key:
http://www.mediafire.com/download/1b2zr67o1y5v4gr/FLASH+PACKAGE.rar
Configuration:
Laptop from 2012: Lenovo IdeaPad Z580, Model 2151, Core i5, System Board LZ3A
BIOS version: 5FCN34WW
UBC version: 5FEC32WW
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
RAM: 2 x 4 GB
HDD: Hitachi 700 GB
Graphic: Intel HD Graphics 3000
Author:
Torpilot ***********Hotmail.com
Date: October 5, 2015
Mod's Edit: Email address removed to protect owner from its unwanted use.