Computer died during Windows Updates

Hi folks,
First a rundown of my issues and how I got here, then a few question targeted to this and other forums I have posted this in. Apologize for being long ….


Tuesday night I was doing the patch Tuesday Windows update on my primary computer, a docked Lenovo W530 workstation which happens to act as the hub of my network for shared printers, etc. During the reboot, the computer lost power. Once that happened, I could no longer boot the computer.
I get a series of 4 sets of 4 quick beeps. Best I can find, this indicates a bad Security Chip. I tried several fixes including draining the BIOS by disconnecting the backup battery, etc. Took into a recommended repair facility that ignored everything I told them and took all apart to test and decided I need a new motherboard. Perhaps. I would not have them do the work if this is what I choose.

So, questions:
1. Any way to fix this short of a new motherboard?
2. Any recommended place to have this done if not that is quality and reasonable in cost? I’m in SF Peninsula if it matters.
3. Is it really possible that a Windows Update failure could cause a motherboard failure or is this just an amazing coincidence like a timing belt breaking just as you get a flat tire?
4. Since the Windows Updates never completed, might it when the drive is put back in to a working computer or is it likely in bad shape?
5. Any way to regain a working drive if so short of completely restoring from backups?
6. Can I mount this drive as a non-boot drive with a SSD drive to USB dongle to look and see if there is file structure damage or is that risky and not recommended?
7. Assume the drive is working, what happens if I put into a new computer with different driver, video card, etc? Will it work and update drivers or have issues?


Thanks. I feel like I lost my best friend and would really like to get them back.

Thanks for reading and replying.
~Bob

Welcome to the forum.
Please edit your profile and add all hardware specs.
Can you explain the way the computer lost power?
The Lenovo W530is a Laptop, isn't it? Does it has a battery?

- It can be that the mother board died due to the power failure, not by the software update.
- If your drive isn't encrypted, you can take out the HDD and put it on a workstation or on an external USB case to retrieval your data.

Thanks for the reply.

Its too embarrassing how it lost power. It was a shutdown on the power switch by accident.

I agree, unknown why the hardware issue and can only hope the drive is functional.

Latest:

Removed everything. Drained CMOS. I actually had a new battery!!
NO RAM, 4-4-4-4
Removed everything. Drained the CMOS. Added 1 stick RAM. Booted and got to BIOS to set date and Time!! When I exited BIOS it shut down. Restarted, 4-4-4-4 [IMG]file:///C:\Users\bulius\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif[/IMG]
Changed out the stick. Rebooted. 4-4-4-4
So I get occasional glimmers of life, but then always back to the 4-4-4-4.


Retrieving data will not install apps and all of their settings and preferences, unfortunately. And the drive might be in that state of changing out OS components on the Windows Update Reboot.


Thanks for the reply.

It is still alive, or better say, not completely dead.
What you mean by 4-4-4-4?

Disconnect all hardware from the MB. Leave only 1 memory and CPU. If the MB has a internal Graphics, connect monitor to it and remove the Graphics card.

Graphics non removable. Have tried that and more. The 4-4-4-4 is 4 sets of 4 quick beeps, then black screen and nothing more.

Thanks for replying!

i know. Might be coincidence, but will not even boot to where I can access BIOS.

I'm off to look at a used one tonight and then hope I can plug my drive in and have it work.

~Bob

UPDATE:

Imagine the luck going on Craigslist and find within driving distance a just listed used computer just like mine and willing to sell without harddrive, RAM, CD and batteries!! That happened. And I plugged in my hard drive and it finished Windows Update. I then had to reregister Office and my ADOBE apps as on new hardware and all seems just fine.

The casework on this is not as new or clean as mine so I may have the motherboard moved to the old chasis. The board and CPU are actually faster than what I had.

So, good for now. And good to know that Windows Update finished as if nothing had happened.

~Bob