Lenovo IdeaPad 3 - Hard Disk not recognized in BIOS

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  • mkdj
    Member
    • Mar 2025
    • 46
    • France

    #1

    Lenovo IdeaPad 3 - Hard Disk not recognized in BIOS

    Dear all,

    I have recently fixed a Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15 ALC6 that was not booting due to a BIOS issue. After flashing the BIOS, the laptop boots up, but hard disk is not recognized in BIOS. Is says "Hard Disk : Not Installed". I have tried with 2 different drives (one that I know is working on another laptop) but I get the same result. I do not know if disks were recognized before I got the laptop and fix it, but I don't see any reason why not. I can boot on USB though.

    Here the steps I have taken to fix the laptop:
    - downloaded latest BIOS from Lenovo Website
    - followed the steps of this guide to create the BIOS.bin file https://www.badcaps.net/forum/troubl...k-bios?t=80861
    - copied DMI from the back-up to the new file with an Hex editor following advice on this post : https://winraid.level1techs.com/t/so...corrupt/111335
    - flashed the BIOS using Neo Programmer

    Any advice on the origin of this fault and how to fix it?

    Regards,
    mkdj
  • mkdj
    Member
    • Mar 2025
    • 46
    • France

    #2
    Dear all,

    Update: I have tried flashing another older BIOS, found on this link: https://www.badcaps.net/forum/troubl...=4#post1605508

    I got the same result: laptop boots but Hard Disk Not Installed.

    I will try tomorrow to clean the M2 slot and do a visual inspection, even though I doubt it is an hardware issue (what are the odds that there is a BIOS and a hardware issue at the same time?)

    I will keep you updated. In the meantime, if you have an idea to unstuck me, I am interested.

    Regards,
    mkdj

    Comment

    • ianbak
      Senior Member
      • Apr 2023
      • 58
      • UK

      #3
      I once had exactly the same problem with a Lenovo and it was because the BIOS I'd flashed wasn't quite the right one for the motherboard. Often a single Lenovo model can use two different motherboards, depending on when it was built. For instance, an L13 Yoga can be of Type 20R5 or Type 20R6. Check very carefully whether the BIOS you have used was the correct one for the specific motherboard you have.

      Comment

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