Lenovo Invalid Machine Type

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How to change Model Type and Serial Number of Thinkpad

If you change a system board on a Thinkpad laptop, chances are you might encounter 2200, 2201 errors.
2200: Machine Type and Serial Number are invalid.

After ~8 hours of searching on Internet, trying different methods, I've finally successfully changed/added Model typle and S/N to my friend's X230.
The laptop had its system board or mother board replaced. The replacement came from ebay with model type & S/N blank.
It was a painfully long process to figure things out. And my windows 10 added a huge hassle to the would-be-easy process. The Internet doesn't have a very straightforward instruction on it. And they are all pretty old.
Basically you need to use a service utility calledThinkPad Hardware Maintenance Diskette (HMD) to make a bootable USB flash drive. It used to be on floppy disk but it can make bootable USB stick too now.

Preparation.

  • Windows 7 (both 32 and 64 should work). Haven't tried windows 8.
  • DO NOT use windows 10, won't work
  • USB flash drive
  • ThinkPad Hardware Maintenance Diskette, the newer the better.
  • Write down the Model Type & S/N from your label on the machine.

Steps.

  1. Download ThinkPad Hardware Maintenance Diskette (HMD). I have 1.83 attached here. You can certainly find other versions on the Internet somewhere.
  2. DO NOT use windows 10!! I've only tried windows 10 & 7, both 64 bit. Windows 7 worked with all my flash drives. But the application will not find your USB stick on windows 10.
  3. Unzip the TP HMD. Use 'usbfmtpw.exe' to make a bootable HMD USB. If it says 'Error: Drive not found to format', then it's very likely it can't run on your OS (Windows 10 for instance). Otherwise, you will see a format window. Make sure it's your flash drive. Don't worry about the size. You can always format it in windows, and the flash drive will turn back to normal.
  4. Boot your Thinkpad with the USB stick you just made. You might need to hit 'F12' to open the boot options to choose it. You will see a blue screen with some descriptions of the tool.
  5. Choose option 1, '1. set S/N.. ' or something like that. I can't remember now, but it's pretty straightforward once you are at this step.
  6. Follow the instructions. It's pretty easy. You will need to input the Model Type and SN together, with '1S' at the beginning. Say, model type 1234CTO, SN 56789AB, you will need to input '1S1234CTO56789AB'. It may vary depending on your machine.
  7. Then simply reboot.
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  1. Lenovo Machine Type
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Lenovo Machine Type

Lenovo invalid machine type 10

Lenovo Invalid Machine Type List

Feb 10, 2015  I needed to replace the Motherboard of a Lenovo Edge E531 laptop. We ordered a new motherboard (not from Lenovo) and i have it placed in the laptop. When I start up the laptop I get a couple warnings. One that says 'Machine Type and Serial Number Invalid' and 'Machine UUID invalid'. May 19, 2017  This video will show you how to update Serial Number, Type, Model, in bios for any lenovo thinkpad laptops & systems after change new Board. This video will help you for any Thinkpad system models. May 04, 2005  They haven't entered the machine type number and the system unit serial number when they replaced the mobo. Call them, and they are going to fix in a few days.Edit: If I remember correctly, when you update the BIOS, there is an option to enter the machine type number manually and maybe the serial number too.