Jump to content

Welcome to Geeks to Go - Register now for FREE

Need help with your computer or device? Want to learn new tech skills? You're in the right place!
Geeks to Go is a friendly community of tech experts who can solve any problem you have. Just create a free account and post your question. Our volunteers will reply quickly and guide you through the steps. Don't let tech troubles stop you. Join Geeks to Go now and get the support you need!

How it Works Create Account
Photo

Running Linux on Lenovo 11e

Fan Error

  • Please log in to reply

#1
brycrip

brycrip

    Member

  • Member
  • PipPipPip
  • 429 posts

I’ve had a love/hate relationship with my Lenovo 11e for about three years. It never worked properly with Win7, out of the box. It would run fine for a few months then start crashing. Win Restore and Recovery programs did nothing. I would set the computer aside for a week or two and try again. It would boot up and run for another few months.

I finally dumped Win 7 in favor of Linux PoP! and that seemed to fix things. The 11e ran for close to a year before it started crashing again. When I booted up I would get the ThinkPad screen but next an array of flashing white patterns, all kinds of stripes. It would go to a black screen for a moment and then the flashing started again. A hard boot and PoP booted normally. But wouldn’t recognize USB sticks. I would put a stick in, go to Places to open it and the stick wasn’t listed. I tried several sticks with the same result. I tried both ports. Eventually, on start up, I would just get a dark screen with Fan Error. I bought a used Lenovo x230 with Win 7 but swapped the hard drive with the one in the 11e because I needed the extra space. I loaded the x230 with Ubuntu 18.04. That works.

I tried the 11e again, now with Win 7 again but not the original install, and still get Fan Error. With an ear pressed to the vent, I don’t hear the fan attempt a start-up.

Anything I can do to problem-shoot this? And will the Win 7 OS pre-installed on the x230 hard drive run the 11e without me having to contact Microsoft to get their permission.

Thanks as always, Geeks…

Bry


  • 0

Advertisements


#2
SpywareDr

SpywareDr

    Member 3k

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,996 posts

First problem: Part of the Windows installation routine is to check to see what make and model hardware is installed in the computer and then install the correct drivers and software for those components. So. if you were then to move that to another computer, Windows probably would not have all of the correct drivers and software installed to support the current computer.

 

Second problem: OEM versions of Windows can only be installed on a single computer. When that computer dies, so does that copy of Windows.

 

--

 

Support.Lenovo.com Fan error when booting - ThinkPad 11e, ThinkPad Yoga 11e


Solution

Update the BIOS to version 1.10 (Type 20ED, 20EE) or version 1.56 (Type 20E6, 20E8, 20E5, 20E7).

Additional Information

If the error persists after updating the BIOS to the above versions or later, have the system serviced.


  • 0

#3
brycrip

brycrip

    Member

  • Topic Starter
  • Member
  • PipPipPip
  • 429 posts

Thanks for this, 3K. But I'm not sure how to update the bios if the computer won't start. Will the f keys work?

Bry


  • 0

#4
SpywareDr

SpywareDr

    Member 3k

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,996 posts

:confused: Don't know. No way to test that from here.

 

If it is capable of displaying a fan error, the basic computer is running ... which means it is capable of updating the UEFI BIOS.

 

Use another computer that is running a 64-bit version of Windows to download and then create the bootable CD from Lenovo's ISO image file. Now boot the 11e from that CD and let it update the UEFI BIOS.

 

 

Note: Make sure you are downloading the correct ISO for your 11e "Machine Type". (20E5, 20E6, 20E7, 20E8, 20ED, 20EE, etc.).


  • 0

#5
brycrip

brycrip

    Member

  • Topic Starter
  • Member
  • PipPipPip
  • 429 posts

Boy. That sounds complicated.

But thank you, let me look...

Bry


  • 0

#6
SpywareDr

SpywareDr

    Member 3k

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,996 posts

Similar to having to run into town to get a part for a dead car by using another working car. ;)


  • 0

#7
brycrip

brycrip

    Member

  • Topic Starter
  • Member
  • PipPipPip
  • 429 posts

I don't drive :-)


  • 0

#8
SpywareDr

SpywareDr

    Member 3k

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,996 posts

Too complicate? ;)


  • 0

#9
brycrip

brycrip

    Member

  • Topic Starter
  • Member
  • PipPipPip
  • 429 posts

Hey, I got PoP!, Ubuntu 18.04 and several other distros on live sticks. This any good for me, being I'll be dumping Windows anyway?

Again, thanks for your help.

Bry


  • 0

#10
SpywareDr

SpywareDr

    Member 3k

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,996 posts

Use another computer that is running a 64-bit version of Windows to download and then create the bootable CD from Lenovo's ISO image file. Now boot the 11e from that CD and let it update the UEFI BIOS.

 

 

Note: Make sure you are downloading the correct ISO for your 11e "Machine Type". (20E5, 20E6, 20E7, 20E8, 20ED, 20EE, etc.).


  • 0






Similar Topics

0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users

As Featured On:

Microsoft Yahoo BBC MSN PC Magazine Washington Post HP