FAQ
TL;DR: A 1.5 m fall can leave a Lenovo Z710 that "does not give a sign of life," with only brief power/webcam LED flashes. Start by checking chipset/BGA integrity, BIOS health, and I/O board cabling. [Elektroda, MrDoimer, post #16654739]
Why it matters: This FAQ helps Lenovo Z710 owners quickly triage no-boot, LED-blink, USB/audio loss, and BIOS/drive-detection issues after a drop.
Quick Facts
- Symptom snapshot: intermittent drive detection, then 1 s power LED and momentary webcam flash after a 1.5 m fall. [Elektroda, MrDoimer, post #16654739]
- Likely root cause: BGA/chipset connection damage from impact; brief diagnostic heating was suggested for confirmation. [Elektroda, Dydelmax, post #16654757]
- BIOS angle: corrupted BIOS/input may block boot options; flashing needs an external programmer. [Elektroda, Dydelmax, post #16655358]
- Post-repair anomalies: USB 3.0 works but right-side USB 2.0 and audio dead can indicate an unplugged I/O ribbon. [Elektroda, Dydelmax, post #16726776]
- Real-world cost: a neighborhood shop charged PLN 300 for “some arrangement” with no report provided. [Elektroda, MrDoimer, post #16726706]
What does a 1-second power LED and webcam blink mean after a fall?
Combined with intermittent drive detection, this pattern points to board-level issues. A frequent culprit is a disturbed BGA/chipset joint from impact. Technicians often start by confirming chipset connectivity before pursuing storage or OS causes. This aligns with reports linking such symptoms to chipset connection problems after mechanical shock. [Elektroda, Dydelmax, post #16654757]
How do I check startup power consumption to narrow the fault?
Record the current draw at power-on using an inline meter or bench supply with ammeter. Technicians request this first because abnormal inrush or early drop-outs help isolate shorted rails, CPU initialization, or chipset faults. Share the reading along with the motherboard designation to speed diagnosis. [Elektroda, xoree, post #16654747]
Is heating the chipset a real fix or only a test?
Heating is not a repair. It may briefly restore contact, but if BGA connections are broken, "heating will not do anything" long term. Proper repair requires rework or replacement. Use heating only as a diagnostic hint, not as a solution. [Elektroda, boro1234567, post #16655483]
What is reballing and when does it help?
Reballing removes the original solder balls and replaces them, often with a different alloy. It helps only if the internal chip balls and die are intact. If core or substrate damage exists, reballing will not restore function. "Reball involves removing the old binder... and replacing with the new one." [Elektroda, xoree, post #16655768]
Could BIOS corruption be the reason it won’t start?
Yes. Technicians flagged possible BIOS damage following repeated on/off cycles during diagnostics. A compromised BIOS can stop boot, hide devices, or reset mid-logo. Address BIOS health before chasing OS issues. [Elektroda, xoree, post #16654820]
How can I reflash or verify the BIOS at home?
Use an external programmer to read, back up, and write a clean BIOS image. One approach uses a simple programmer build and clip access to the chip. Flashing bypasses a bricked onboard process and restores known-good code paths. [Elektroda, Dydelmax, post #16655358]
Only USB 3.0 works, but USB 2.0 and audio are dead—what does that imply?
This points to a disconnected side I/O daughterboard cable or incomplete post-repair checks. USB 3.0 ports on the left may be mainboard-native, while right-side USB 2.0 and 3.5 mm jack sit on a cabled board. Re-seat ribbons before deeper board repair. [Elektroda, Dydelmax, post #16726776]
How do I check the right-side USB/audio daughterboard connection?
- Power down, unplug AC, and remove the main battery.
- Open the bottom cover; locate the ribbon to the right-side USB/audio board.
- Re-seat the ribbon and lock the latch; reassemble and test ports and sound.
[Elektroda, Dydelmax, post #16726776]
What details should I provide for faster help?
Share the measured startup current and the exact motherboard designation. Repair pros ask for these first to map symptoms to power rails and board revisions. This shrinks guesswork and targets known failure clusters. [Elektroda, boro1234567, post #16655483]
Why does the boot menu show only network boot after inserting a Linux USB?
That behavior can indicate chipset connection issues or corrupted BIOS input, which blocks USB media enumeration. In such cases, confirm chipset health and consider BIOS programming before blaming the USB stick. [Elektroda, Dydelmax, post #16655358]
Can a dead CMOS/bios battery stop certain Lenovo laptops from starting?
Yes. Some Lenovo models refuse to start with a depleted CMOS battery, especially after a shock. Check and replace the coin-cell if the system shows no progress or loses clock and boot settings. [Elektroda, xury, post #16656557]
What’s the worst-case scenario after a 1.5 m drop?
Microcracks in motherboard traces can cause intermittent or permanent failures across subsystems. If present, the board may only serve as a parts donor because such fractures are widespread and uneconomical to repair. [Elektroda, Dydelmax, post #16655358]
I paid PLN 300, and now audio/USB 2.0 still don’t work—what should I do?
Request a proper repair report and invoke the shop’s warranty or ask for a refund. Quality repair should restore full function or clearly document limitations. Insist on accountability for any post-service regressions. [Elektroda, slawmix1234, post #16727805]
Did repeated power cycling during testing make things worse?
It can. Members noted constant switching could corrupt the BIOS batch, compounding faults seen after the fall. Minimize power cycling during diagnostics and move promptly to structured tests and firmware checks. [Elektroda, xoree, post #16656530]
? I won't find anything else.