
Although I didn't remove the "bad" stick before initializing the install, so through some miraculous weird thing, it could've installed from there.You’re going to need a few things to get started. Both sticks had the same bootable Win10 on them. The one that was bootable was a "Sandisk Ultra". The USB stick it didn't want to boot was "Verbatim Store n Go".
Having the USB as first boot options prompts the default boot selection screenĮDIT: Tried with a different stick, the OS installation boots. Saving changed BIOS settings displays an error "couldn't save, write protected" and yet the settings are changed. I couldn't find a UEFI setting to change in the BIOS. When prompted the default boot screen, selecting the NVMe or the USB drive flashes the screen then reverts to the same screen. The USB drive with Win10 on it is bootable both from the BIOS of another comp, and within another powered on system as well. The NVMe in the laptop passed every diagnostic thrown at it. The support was contacted and a ticket is opened. Lenovo Photo Library (including lots of wallpapers) Mirror of Hardware Maintenance Manuals for discontinued models Lenovo Windows Digital Download Recovery Images Lenovo Parts Removal and Replacement Videos (select ThinkPad tab) Specification guides for discontinued models (all the way back to 1992!) When reinstalling Windows, try the Lenovo disc images, as longer battery times have been reported, probably due to custom drivers. A can of compressed air may be useful too, and a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and cotton buds are good for cleaning, but not on the screen. The only tools you need for servicing a ThinkPad are a set of small screwdrivers and a nylon spudger (for taking the screen and keyboard bezels off), and possibly a pair of tweezers. Corporate bulk purchasers don't usually go for it. Not only will it have better brightness, colour, contrast and viewing angles - you will most probably more than make up the investment when selling it.
When buying a new ThinkPad, consider taking the IPS screen option if possible, as it doesn't cost much. When buying a used ThinkPad, remember to check that the BIOS is not locked with a supervisor's password and that Computrace is not enabled and activated.
For IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad laptop enthusiasts.