- Jan 9, 2025
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Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 16ABR8 BIOS Corruption After Interrupted Update – Recovery Attempts Failed
Device Info:
Model: Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 16ABR8
BIOS Version: L7CN19WW
Configuration: UEFI-only (no legacy mode available)
Issue Description:
The BIOS was corrupted after I powered off the machine during what now appears to have been a BIOS update. I believed the update was potentially malicious, (the bright red do not power off image was low res and looked super shady) so I shut down the device to prevent further changes. Since then, the system will not boot normally, and I have been unable to recover the BIOS. I can access the ideapad boot menu. note: the boot process results in a screen that is on but is not displaying content. once, I saw a functioning cursor on the black screen, but I could not replicate this event.
Context and Cause:
Cause of Issue: I manually powered off the laptop during an apparent BIOS update, fearing it was a security threat.
Current Status: The system cannot boot into Windows or recovery. Attempts to flash the BIOS, and attempts to use Windows recovery USB have failed.
Recovery Attempts:
USB Setup:
Created a bootable USB with the BIOS update file L7CN23WW.cap (downloaded from Lenovo’s official site).
Extracted the .cap file from the .exe obtained on the Lenovo support sight using Linux (Steam Deck) and 7-Zip.
Renamed L7CN23WW.cap to BIOS.fd for compatibility. (bootable usb attempts were made with both the cap file and the renamed file)
USB formatted to FAT32, with the file placed at the root level.
Recovery Methods Tried:
- Fn + R: Inserted USB and held Fn + R while powering on → Result: Loud beep, system shuts down.
- Novo Button (pinhole): Selected USB from the boot menu → Result: No beep, system does not load anything.
- Boot Menu (F12): Selected USB as the boot device → Result: No response, system remains idle.
- FN + B: Opens the boot menu, but keyboard inputs do not work.
- Other Keys (F8, F11): Display battery level, then shut down.
Windows System Recovery:
- Windows recovery from boot menu does not launch.
- Created a Windows recovery USB (created via Windows Media Creation Tool) → Not detected or bootable.
Additional Notes:
USB boot order set as the highest priority in BIOS.
Secure Boot disabled in BIOS settings.
Ran Lenovo’s diagnostic tool – no hardware issues detected.
Questions/Help Requested:
Is there another way to force the system to recognize the BIOS recovery file (.fd or .cap)?
Are there any additional steps I can take to make the USB bootable or more likely to be recognized?
Would external tools (e.g., CH341A programmer) be necessary at this point, or are there software-based solutions to try first?
Device Info:
Model: Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 16ABR8
BIOS Version: L7CN19WW
Configuration: UEFI-only (no legacy mode available)
Issue Description:
The BIOS was corrupted after I powered off the machine during what now appears to have been a BIOS update. I believed the update was potentially malicious, (the bright red do not power off image was low res and looked super shady) so I shut down the device to prevent further changes. Since then, the system will not boot normally, and I have been unable to recover the BIOS. I can access the ideapad boot menu. note: the boot process results in a screen that is on but is not displaying content. once, I saw a functioning cursor on the black screen, but I could not replicate this event.
Context and Cause:
Cause of Issue: I manually powered off the laptop during an apparent BIOS update, fearing it was a security threat.
Current Status: The system cannot boot into Windows or recovery. Attempts to flash the BIOS, and attempts to use Windows recovery USB have failed.
Recovery Attempts:
USB Setup:
Created a bootable USB with the BIOS update file L7CN23WW.cap (downloaded from Lenovo’s official site).
Extracted the .cap file from the .exe obtained on the Lenovo support sight using Linux (Steam Deck) and 7-Zip.
Renamed L7CN23WW.cap to BIOS.fd for compatibility. (bootable usb attempts were made with both the cap file and the renamed file)
USB formatted to FAT32, with the file placed at the root level.
Recovery Methods Tried:
- Fn + R: Inserted USB and held Fn + R while powering on → Result: Loud beep, system shuts down.
- Novo Button (pinhole): Selected USB from the boot menu → Result: No beep, system does not load anything.
- Boot Menu (F12): Selected USB as the boot device → Result: No response, system remains idle.
- FN + B: Opens the boot menu, but keyboard inputs do not work.
- Other Keys (F8, F11): Display battery level, then shut down.
Windows System Recovery:
- Windows recovery from boot menu does not launch.
- Created a Windows recovery USB (created via Windows Media Creation Tool) → Not detected or bootable.
Additional Notes:
USB boot order set as the highest priority in BIOS.
Secure Boot disabled in BIOS settings.
Ran Lenovo’s diagnostic tool – no hardware issues detected.
Questions/Help Requested:
Is there another way to force the system to recognize the BIOS recovery file (.fd or .cap)?
Are there any additional steps I can take to make the USB bootable or more likely to be recognized?
Would external tools (e.g., CH341A programmer) be necessary at this point, or are there software-based solutions to try first?
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