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Lenovo X200 Failed BIOS Update (via System Update)

Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 1:47 pm
by Dgaran01
Hello All,


I have a Lenovo X200 (built in webcam, 128GB SSD, 9 Cell, Windows Vista Business preload) that I purchased second hand a month ago.
The system was running great, I was happily setting it up to my liking and preferences.
I have decided to run the System Update software to perform recommended driver updates - along with a recommended BIOS upgrade.

Now in general I am for BIOS upgrades, since many times the newer versions can improve system performance and health.
Also, since the upgrade process (while less recommended from Windows) usually works out just fine, I have encountered one of those more rare cases where it does not.

The system completed the BIOS flasing successfully, rebooted and never posted again.
I have waited patiently several minutes to allow the system to recover, but nothing happened.
Once I saw that the system is not responding, I have decided to try shutting it off and turning it on again, however this did not change the situation.

After reading around the web, here are the following steps I have tried:

*Took out the batter/disconnected the power plug and tried pressing the power button several times
*Took apart the palm rest/keyboard and disconnected the CMOS battery
*Removed the memory sticks and hard drive

After disconnecting the CMOS battery, I fired up the system again and this time I got to the POST screen (if I press the blue ThinkVantage button the system enters the BIOS, with the error message of the time/date being incorrect), however upon entering the BIOS, the keyboard is not responding.
I have tried connecting an external USB keyboard, but it was not recognized either.
The system basically enters the BIOS and just "hangs".

Is there anything that I can do to remedy this?
I am afraid that the system's warranty expired just recently (February) so I can't send it to the Lenovo service center (I am sure that out warranty systems will be costly to repair).


Any help will be greatly appreciated! :bow:

Re: Lenovo X200 Failed BIOS Update (via System Update)

Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 5:19 pm
by emeraldgirl08
I am terribly sorry to hear about this! Personally I don't trust the windows environment to run my BIOS update. I prefer doing it with a bootable CD instead. Only suggestion is the ISO images for BIOS updates are on Lenovos website. If you must do a BIOS update that would be IMO a more reliable method. Someone who has more experience in these situations may chime in. Don't give up.

Hope you get your X200 running! Good luck.

Re: Lenovo X200 Failed BIOS Update (via System Update)

Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 6:11 pm
by EOMtp
Welcome to the forum!
What you have done is appropriate, and the fact that you have "activity" is encouraging. If you did not disconnect the CMOS battery for more than a few seconds, then disconnect it again and wait a few minutes before reconnecting it.

To enter the BIOS, press F1 (not the blue ThinkVantage button), and see if the keyboard is recognized. If that fails and if you have an external USB DVD/CD drive, then see if you can boot off that device (perhaps using a BIOS .iso image to re-flash the BIOS).

You should be able to edit the BIOS settings IF that there is no Supervisor Password set. Again, the fact that you can enter the BIOS means that there is probably a path to success ...
Good luck!

Re: Lenovo X200 Failed BIOS Update (via System Update)

Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 2:27 am
by Dgaran01
Hey friends,


Thank you both for your warm welcome and inputs. :thumbs-UP:

I will certainly try reimaging the BIOS using the downloadable .ISO from the website.
In addition, in case that does not work, should I try running the Phoenix Crisis Recovery?


Thanks! :bow:

Re: Lenovo X200 Failed BIOS Update (via System Update)

Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 10:37 am
by EOMtp
As a last resort, take a look at the two threads below:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=100330
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&p=652853

[Note: I don't know if those procedures work on an X200.]

Re: Lenovo X200 Failed BIOS Update (via System Update)

Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 11:30 am
by emeraldgirl08
Thanks for those links EOMtp! :thumbs-UP:

I think I will bookmark those two threads. You never know with BIOS and I certainly feel better knowing some people have successfully unbricked their ThinkPads :D

Re: Lenovo X200 Failed BIOS Update (via System Update)

Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 1:35 pm
by Dgaran01
Friends!


Awesome news!

I have tried one more time to remove the memory from the system (had 2x2GB sticks in) and let the system boot up without any ram to achieve the 1-3-3-1 beep sequence.
After this, I placed one RAM stick in and booted the system - lo and behold, it worked! :banana:

Booted up, showing BIOS version 3.21, configured the settings (time/date/etc.) and the system loaded the OS without a hitch!

I am so happy!


Thanks to all of you for the support and responses! :bow: :banana:

Re: Lenovo X200 Failed BIOS Update (via System Update)

Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 5:55 pm
by emeraldgirl08
That is very good news! Glad you got that worked out :D

Re: Lenovo X200 Failed BIOS Update (via System Update)

Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 1:41 am
by richv
Hi All,

I'm another person who has been bit by this Lenovo ThinkAdvantage BIOS update. My symptoms are the same as Dgaran01, and I'm having no luck getting any keyboard, built-in or USB, to be recognized once I get into the BIOS Setup Utility.

I have no choice but to enter the BIOS setup utility. After the initial splash screen, it gives me an "ERROR 0271: Check date and time settings" screen, then goes to the BIOS setup utility, which doesn't accept keyboard input.

Actually, at this point, two things DO work on the built-in keyboard. I can press Fn-PgUp to turn the keyboard light on and off, and I can press Fn-ScrLk to turn the number lock light on and off. Which means I can *still* use this unit as a book light. :-)

It won't boot from an external USB drive, so I can't flash the BIOS using the downloadable Lenovo BIOS Update .ISO image.

I tried removing all the ram, got the beeps, put in one 2 GB stick of RAM, and now I'm back to where I started, with a frozen keyboard. I've disconnected the CMOS battery several times, once leaving it disconnected overnight.

Am I just out of luck here? Is there a copy of the original BIOS on this motherboard in here somewhere, waiting to be jumpered back into existence?

-->Thanks,
---->Rich

Re: Lenovo X200 Failed BIOS Update (via System Update)

Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 3:41 am
by EOMtp
richv wrote:Is there a copy of the original BIOS on this motherboard in here somewhere, waiting to be jumpered back into existence?
Rich,
Welcome to the forum! The answer to your question above is, "No." [Sorry, but based on your description of what you have already tried, I do not have any useful information for how you should proceed from here.]

A long shot: Are you certain your external bootable device/media is indeed "bootable"? Even if yes, perhaps it will boot from a USB floppy, even though it won't boot from a USB CD or flash drive ...

Re: Lenovo X200 Failed BIOS Update (via System Update)

Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 10:00 am
by benweya
I tried resitting the memory to get my keyboard to work but no cigar. :? After reading the similar thread on http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=101708 I simply let it sit a while and it worked. :banana:

Re: Lenovo X200 Failed BIOS Update (via System Update)

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:17 am
by kfree
I would like to add my experience to this forum... same problem.. bios update, went fine, rebooted, blank screen.. no post beep, nothing.. removed cmos battery for about 30 minutes, plugged back in, rebooted (without battery).. posted, gave the DATE/TIME error, went to BIOS.. no access to keyboard either internally or externally... tried a few times with the RAM removal/replacement.. nothing.. rebooted 3-5 times.. nothing.. mashed keys, nothing :).... what worked for me was putting the battery back in... it instantly gave me keyboard connectivity...

so maybe that's another option to toss into the witches brew of remedies for this problem