Take a look at our
ThinkPads.com HOME PAGE
For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message

X1 Carbon 2nd gen 20A7 can't rollback from BIOS 1.40

X1 / X1-Carbon (X1C) / X1-Extreme (X1E) Series/Generations
Post Reply
Message
Author
Jakee99
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2021 10:25 pm
Location: correct location pending

X1 Carbon 2nd gen 20A7 can't rollback from BIOS 1.40

#1 Post by Jakee99 » Thu Sep 09, 2021 11:03 pm

Hello,

Have a X1 Carbon 2nd 20A7 with BIOS v1.40. Tried rolling back to a previous bios version (1.39) and keep getting "Secure flash authentication error" message.

Searching the forums I came across a post stating to disable Secure Rollback Prevention in the BIOS.

I have already tried that and still got the same BIOS flash error. Also tried the BIOS update ISO, this is also throwing the same error.

The BIOS readme for v1.40 states that downgrading is possible. I suspect however that this may be an oversight by Lenovo since the ECP version on bios 1.40 is 1.20 and BIOS v1.39 contains ECP v1.19.

Is there another method to force flash to a lower BIOS version?

Already reset the BIOS to defaults, also tried the /sd switch running from elevated command prompt.

Any ideas?

Reason I want to flash to a lower BIOS version is because I am experiencing major throttling issues which were not occuring with BIOS v1.39. Flashed v1.40 and immediately performance is noticably lower. Exhaust and fan is clean. Fresh thermal paste. At idle i get temps in the 32 to 38 range. Fresh install of Windows 10 x64 21H1 (tried 2004 and 1909 build as well). All drivers updated, etc. Throttling is an issue when running apps like Skype, Word, Outlook and just horrible when watching YouTube on Chrome or Firefox. This did not happen before with BIOS v1.39.

SSD is fine (even swapped out with another) RAM tested good.

It would be a waste not to be able to use this X1 Carbon 2nd with an i7-4600u, 8gb RAM. Still runs great, just not with BIOS v1.40.
Last edited by Jakee99 on Fri Sep 10, 2021 3:47 am, edited 1 time in total.

RealBlackStuff
Admin Emeritus
Admin Emeritus
Posts: 23809
Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2006 5:17 am
Location: Loch Garman, Éire

Re: X1 Carbon 2nd gen 20A7 can't rollback from BIOS 1.40

#2 Post by RealBlackStuff » Fri Sep 10, 2021 12:49 am

Have you tried earlier versions, like 1.38 or 1.37?
https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/prod ... s/ds039782
Rather than trying this from inside that gawdawful W10, I recommend using a USB external CD/DVD burner and making a bootable CD, using the above ISO downloads and a burner program like ImgBurn.

If that still doesn't work, you may need an SPI flash programmer, such as the CH341A and a SOIC8 cable.
There is ample info on the web and Youtube on how to do this.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.

PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine
.

Jakee99
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2021 10:25 pm
Location: correct location pending

Re: X1 Carbon 2nd gen 20A7 can't rollback from BIOS 1.40

#3 Post by Jakee99 » Fri Sep 10, 2021 3:51 am

Yes, already tried flashing using the ISO images for a number of previous versions.

Was looking at the SPI programmer option as a last resort. Don't want to risk bricking the unit.

On that note, I'm curious if there is a crisis BIOS recovery method for this model. I could not find any info for this model in regards to a BIOS recovery procedure.

Jakee99
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2021 10:25 pm
Location: correct location pending

Re: X1 Carbon 2nd gen 20A7 can't rollback from BIOS 1.40

#4 Post by Jakee99 » Fri Sep 10, 2021 4:05 am

Alright, found some info on bios-mods.com site. Ordering an SPI programmer and required cable. Will post more info once I get it in.

thinker58
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Nov 28, 2021 3:20 pm
Location: Geltendorf, DE

Re: X1 Carbon 2nd gen 20A7 can't rollback from BIOS 1.40

#5 Post by thinker58 » Sun Nov 28, 2021 3:30 pm

Hi Jakee,

I'm experiencing the very same problems with my 2nd gen x1 carbon since the BIOS update v1.40 and did not find any way to downgrade to a previous version. It's a shame that Lenovo releases an update with such problems. As soon as I try to watch videos with higher resolutions (like 4k clips on youtube) the video starts stuttering. It's nearly impossible to share my screen on online meeting tools like zoom anymore because of performance issues.

Did you have any luck downgrading your BIOS version? If yes, how did you achieve that?

@Lenovo support
Please fix these issues with another update or provide a way to downgrade to a previous version.

Best regards

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “ThinkPad X1 / X1-Carbon / X1-Extreme and later Series”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 48 guests