Can't boot my Tablet. Windows Boot Manager boot failed.

Hi cereberus, I already posted on 26th December on that forum, but I didn't get any reply ...

My Linx 1010 won't boot. Windows Boot Manager boot failed. : Help (Linx 1010 & Linx 1010 3G) • LinxTablet.co.uk - The Unofficial Forum For Linx Tablets

I'm definetely assuming that is a hardware problem and there is nothing to do ... :-(

Anyway, I'd like to thank all the users that tried to help me on this post. I'll try to do the same with other issues on this forum.

I have the solution.

I have just read through your thread and it reminded me about a Linx 1010 that I had lying around but couldn't bring myself to get rid of because it was fine in all other aspects. It exhibited EXACTLY the same problems you described in your post with the same error messages, inability to boot from USB, etc,etc. Most frustrating.

The problem is BIOS related. It is most likely corrupted and cannot correctly identify the boot devices on your system.

I know this because I have recently gotten into BIOS chip reprogramming/flashing and figured I would give it a go.

Having desoldered the BIOS chip from the board I read its contents to save as a backup. I then desoldered the chip from another board of a working tablet (bit uncomfortable as there is chance there to screw a perfectly good tab). I dumped this working BIOS and flashed it to the non-working chip. Now, I know there is more to learn about this process as there is work to do to the BIOS .bin dump file before flashing to another tablet, even if it is the same model (think embedded activation keys and cleaning the 'ME Region' first), but this is just to prove principle. Soldered the non-functioning and newly flashed chip back into the non-functioning tablet and it powered on and booted straight away. Problem solved. I can only assume that somewhere along the line there has been a problem perhaps with a BIOS flash on your tablet or a faulty BIOS to start with. I can't pretend to fully understand, but this has worked, so do with this information what you will.

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The BIOS Chip. It is under the copper shielding which just pops off/on with a little leverage. Make sure you remove the battery connector first!

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The best thing to do really would be to get hold of the official BIOS.bin file from Exertis and flash that instead of manipulating a dumped BIOS file. IF ANYONE GETS ONE FROM EXERTIS PLEASE COULD YOU LINK IT HERE??! I would appreciate that greatly.

I used a CH341A BIOS Programmer to do the job.

Hope that helps someone out. Just giving my bit back to an online community that has helped me over the years.

Hi, sorry to ressurect an old thread, however I'm in similar situation with a bricked linx 1010 and I am trying to recover some data from it. I am looking for a BIOS .bin file to reflash to the tablet as I've figured out that is the problem.

Emailed Exertis for the bios but they haven't got back to me and I suspect they don't care. If by some miracle I do hear back from them I will definitely post a link to the BIOS here in hope that it might help someone else.

Hefty Nuts, if you happen to read this would you be so kind as to share your working BIOS dump? I've got a new BIOS chip waiting to be flashed and soldered on. If you can help me it would be highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Hi,
Sorry to see you are in the same boat. I had to manipulate the dumped BIOS.bin file with a hex editor to change the licence key to the one from my current and non functioning BIOS. Your Tab uses this to register windows when you reinstall the os (did you dump your old bios chip)? Also, the ME region needs to be cleaned and there are a couple other tweaks to make to the bios.bin file itself before you can reflash to a new chip and have it work properly. If you have a dump of your old chip I could attempt to do this for you (if I can remember what to do as it was a while ago now!).

Hello,
Thanks for replying! I would be fine cleaning the ME region, changing the license key and doing the rest of the bios mods, it wouldn't be my first time modding a BIOS, but if I do get completely stuck I may ask for your help.
I just need a known working BIOS file first of all, as I don't have a secondary tab to dump the BIOS from.

I haven't dumped my existing BIOS yet. I was waiting to get a hold of a BIOS file first before desoldering and dumping the existing chip.
Please would you be able to send me your dump if you still have it?

Sure, I've uploaded to dropbox:

Dropbox - Linx1010b BIOS Dump.Bin - Simplify your life

I changed out my windows key to "12345-64890-12345-67890-12345".

I'd appreciate it if you have some success you could let me know. Also, if you come across any peculiarities which may help others in future if you could post the solutions.

Regards

Awesome! Thanks a lot. I'll give it a go.

I will definitely report back with my results.

Cheers