300e 2nd Gen Notebook (Lenovo) (Type 81M9) Cannot enter BIOS

[JazzFlute]

The device does not boot into Windows automatically, but I can access the Boot Menu using Fn + F12. From there, the hard drive is listed, and if I select it manually, Windows boots normally. Windows Boot Manager is also visible as an option.

 

I’ve tried every known method to access the BIOS/UEFI settings, but nothing works—not even choosing the UEFI firmware option from the Windows Recovery Environment. As soon as I press ESC (the key it tells me to use to enter UEFI settings), the screen goes completely blank, although the laptop remains powered on.

 

Also disconnected/reconnected CMOS battery but still no joy.

 

Anyone had this and found a solution?

[MrEprise]

The BIOS/UEFI settings are normally accessed via F2 (or Fn + F2 in your case). Unfortunately, these don't have the "Novo" button so you can't even use that.

Have you tried plugging it into an external monitor to see if anything appears on there or alternatively if you take it apart, there is a separate CMOS battery you can disconnect (along with the main battery) and see if that clears any issues stopping it working?

[JazzFlute]

Done everything you mention apart from disconnect the main battery which ill do now as only thing left i think.

[Fazza]

Maybe try removing the NVMe storage and then booting up the laptop as it may then let you enter the BIOS?

[JazzFlute]

1 hour ago, Fazza said:

Maybe try removing the NVMe storage and then booting up the laptop as it may then let you enter the BIOS?

 

Never tried that! could maybe have worked?  I've reinstalled Windows from Bootable USB and it now boots back into Windows normally after shut down/restart etc. but still cannot get into BIOS but as long as its booting into Windows I'm happy.

 

[Fazza]

18 minutes ago, JazzFlute said:

 

Never tried that! could maybe have worked?  I've reinstalled Windows from Bootable USB and it now boots back into Windows normally after shut down/restart etc. but still cannot get into BIOS but as long as its booting into Windows I'm happy.

 

 

If you can get in to Windows, click on Restart whilst holding down the shift key, wait for it to reboot in to the Advanced Startup Options Menu, click on Troubleshoot and then on EUFI Firmware Settings and it should then reboot and automatically enter the BIOS.

 

Edited March 16 by Fazza

[JazzFlute]

4 minutes ago, Fazza said:

 

If you can get in to Windows, click on Restart whilst holding down the shift key, wait for it to reboot in to the Advanced Startup Options Menu, click on Troubleshoot and then on EUFI Firmware Settings and it should then reboot and automatically enter the BIOS.

 

 

tried that still a black screen, its like its displaying on a 2nd monitor but no display when I plug in another monitor.  CTRL+ALT+DEL restarts it I've just found and then it boot into windows now I've reinstalled windows again.

[Fazza]

That's very odd then, looks like you'll never get back in to the BIOS then as it sounds like the chip has become corrupted and only someone like Sorin would be in with a chance of fixing that if you sent it to his company.

[JazzFlute]

10 minutes ago, Fazza said:

That's very odd then, looks like you'll never get back in to the BIOS then as it sounds like the chip has become corrupted and only someone like Sorin would be in with a chance of fixing that if you sent it to his company.

 

yes, definitely think its motherboard related but as long as i get another year max 2 out of it ill be happy as the batch will all be replaced then.  i have 60 in total and only have issue with this one.

[Fazza]

2 minutes ago, JazzFlute said:

 

yes, definitely think its motherboard related but as long as i get another year max 2 out of it ill be happy as the batch will all be replaced then.  i have 60 in total and only have issue with this one.

 

The problem with Lenovo BIOS's is to reprogram them requires some jiggery-pokery as they are all coded to the laptop so it normally involves getting help from someone on the BadCaps forum to edit the .bin BIOS file before using a chip programmer to then program the BIOS chip on the motherboard, not for the fainthearted!!

 

If I have understood correctly, this model has 2 batteries, one 3V CMOS battery and the normal main battery.  One last thing to try is to remove both batteries and then using either some tweezers or a slot screwdriver, short out the 2 pins of the CMOS button battery connector on the motherboard and then put it back together and try and go in the BIOS again.  If the screen stays blank for a while then leave it for 10-15 minutes as it sorts itself out and then take a look.

Edited March 16 by Fazza

[JazzFlute]

19 minutes ago, Fazza said:

 

The problem with Lenovo BIOS's is to reprogram them requires some jiggery-pokery as they are all coded to the laptop so it normally involves getting help from someone on the BadCaps forum to edit the .bin BIOS file before using a chip programmer to then program the BIOS chip on the motherboard, not for the fainthearted!!

 

If I have understood correctly, this model has 2 batteries, one 3V CMOS battery and the normal main battery.  One last thing to try is to remove both batteries and then using either some tweezers or a slot screwdriver, short out the 2 pins of the CMOS button battery connector on the motherboard and then put it back together and try and go in the BIOS again.  If the screen stays blank for a while then leave it for 10-15 minutes as it sorts itself out and then take a look.

 

As its working now I'm leaving it alone 😂  CMOS Battery can be unplugged from motherboard as it has a  connector, I didn't unplug the main battery from motherboard which may help but as its working now I'm leaving it.

[Fazza]

2 minutes ago, JazzFlute said:

 

As its working now I'm leaving it alone 😂  CMOS Battery can be unplugged from motherboard as it has a  connector, I didn't unplug the main battery from motherboard which may help but as its working now I'm leaving it.

 

OK no worries but if you do need to try a hard reset of the BIOS that's the way to do it, both batteries must be removed and then short the 2 pins of the CMOS battery on the motherboard out to remove any residual power on the board, then when you connect the batteries back up the BIOS will do a hard reset which normally involves the laptop rebooting automatically 1 or 2 times before finally loading Windows, then you can try and go in the BIOS.

[Squelch]

How about using a USB keyboard to press F2 or Fwhatever it wants?

[Space_Munkey]

Sorry to necro this thread - but we have been having similar issues with these models!

 

Out of about 120, we've had roughly 6 or so at this point end up doing this. The model reports back as GLK-SOC_ and it's impossible to get to the BIOS.

 

Thankfully we have refreshed a trolley of these so we have loads of spares to backfill with now, but I'd love to be able to sort this.

 

I will have a look into the CMOS battery situation you metnioned @Fazza, although I'm sure I am sure we checked this before!