T61p dead after BIOS flash [ Edited ]

[migselv]

Hi all.

I own a T61p (Type: 8891-CTO) which had its mother board recently replaced due to the well known GPU error.

Now today I updated the BIOS with the latest available under Windows XP. After the reboot the laptop showed the "Lenovo Thinkpad" screen. After a few seconds the fan started running on it's maximum setting but otherwise nothing happened.

I tried to turn off the laptop using the On/Off key but to no avail. I ended shutting the laptop down by undocking it from the dock and pulling the battery pack.

Now, the laptop won't turn on again. Pressing the On/Off key are not giving any reaction. Also, when putting the laptop back into the dock or applying the power supply the small indicator LED with the plug does not turn on.

So, I'm now in the unfortunate situation of possesing a completely dead T61p.

What can I do now? Is it possible to revert the BIOS update by Lenovo support, or is there another way short of swapping the main board or buying an entirely new laptop?

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

take the cmos battery off for a few minutes and then reinsert then start the laptop.

There are aftermarket service companies that can reflash bios by brute force method without needing a new mb.

[migselv]

Hi lead_org.

Thank you for the tip, but unfortunately it didn't work.

Already when I put the laptop back into the dock the indicator light for the power supply didn't turn on.

When I pressed the ON/Off button not much happened, no beeps no screen, no indicator lights. The only thing that happened was that the CD-ROM drive powered up. I could eject the drive. Still, when inserting a bootable CD the laptop didn't start reading from it.

I fear I might need the services of one who is able to flash the BIOS by brute force, however I have no clue to where to start looking for one who could help (preferably in Denmark or alternatively Europe).

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

I know of an one in USA, where someone reported success.

I will find the tweet where i posted the link of that company.

[migselv]

Thank you lead_org. That would be really helpful.

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

AQSTECH is the company. They should have a website that you can get pricing and shipping info from.

[migselv]

Thank you for the company name lead_org.

Here is my current plan:

I have purchased a replacement planar for now which should be usable right away (in a week or two when it arrives). I will still pursue the hard flash option from the company you named and keep the "repaired" planar as a replacement or just use it to upgrade one of my older T60's. As I have read the planar should fit as the T61p has a 14 inch 4:3 screen.

[migselv]

@benwon:

I have actually tried to contact Lenovo support on this matter, but since my warranty ran out in January they couldn't really help.

The support person I spoke to sounded rather pessimistic about this matter. He denied the option of restoring the BIOS by "hard flashing" it right away and suggested a planar replacement. The probable cost for this small operation would be as high as buying a brand new laptop.

Since buying a replacement planar on the net and replacing it myself is way cheaper than a new laptop this is what I will do. If I get lucky and can get the BIOS of my dead planar "restored" and thus getting it working again (assuming that the errored BIOS hasn't destroyed any of the hardware) I can still use it as a replacement part or for a secondary PC.

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

i think that is the best way of going about this.

[migselv]

Hi all.

Just to let you know how the story ended.

After a couple of weeks I received a replacement mainboard (FRU 44C3926) which is working fine.

In parallel I have ordered a pre-programmed BIOS chip which I finally had the chance to install today.

Unfortunately the replacement BIOS chip didn't resolve the problem (same behavior as before the swap) so I must conclude that there is some kind of hardware problem as well.

Does anyone have a suggestion about what I could check?