Question Lenovo ThinkPad W541 Failed BIOS update using System Update Utility --Black Screen

[lernebo]

I have a W541 (20EG-S06A16). I ran the Lenovo System Update Utility and it brought down 2 BIOS updates for the device. The BIOS updates were downloaded, and the device rebooted to do the BIOS updates. After about 20 minutes, I looked over and noticed that one of the updates completed and the other had a message "Flash update failure". I power cycled the device and it went into a loop where it went into a high power start keyboard backlighting flashing then a click and reboot. Nothing on the screen. This kept happening until I power off the device. I have tried the Lenovo Power drain https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht510479-device-does-not-restart-after-bios-update and also removed the coin cell CMOS battery to reset the BIOS. First boot gave 5 beeps then nothing. Nothing on screen. The device no longer continuously reboots, just goes to a black screen. Any help is appreciated.

 

[COLGeek]

Which of the 2 BIOS updates was applied? The older or newer version. I assume both were for the system itself and not for one of the other devices. If that isn't correct, what were the updates specifically for?

 

[lernebo]

Both were system updates. The older one was applied.

 

[COLGeek]

Can you connect to an external display to see if anything appears there?

Looking at beep codes and your 5 beeps comment from earlier.

https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht505216-post-beep-symptoms-thinkcentre

 

[lernebo]

Sorry, it took a while to find a VGA cable. No output. Got the 5 beeps again repeated by 5 beeps.

 

[COLGeek]

Sorry, but it seems you now have a dead system board (motherboard). Several sources indicate this.

To verify, search on these terms: thinkpad beep codes 5 beeps

Seems the only fix is to replace the motherboard.

 

[lernebo]

Thanks for your help.