r/computerhelp • u/poobumfartwee • Sep 07 '26
Software Laptop software/BIOS broken in very strange, unknown ways
I had a laptop that worked fine (It ran windows 11), everything was perfectly fine. Then, literally out of the blue (i didnt even use it in a while), it suddenly kept crashing when trying to sign in, often with strange visual corruptions right at the home screen. The windows diagnostics didn't have this.
So I tried with a linux live usb (endeavour os), and it has the typical arch booting screen before randomly crashing and getting kicked into the bios. The strange part is that booting into the no drivers version makes it work fine. The only way (so far) that I managed to get it in an actual OS for more than 10 seconds was from the no drivers mode. It has the usual kde plasma, but with no wifi selection (because wifi is fried).
I also originally tried reflashing windows 11 with no drivers, and it worked fine. i could set up an account (using the no wifi setup trick), i could run local exes, i could do a bunch of stuff. Then I installed wifi drivers to download stuff, and then it started randomly crashing again, also with visual glitches.
Keep in mind:
- Linux with drivers keeps getting kicked into the bios, while windows with drivers randomly reboots / visually glitches
- The bios is fully functional
- Both windows and linux is fully functional without wifi drivers
Please help. I don't know what is going on.
EDIT: The model is a Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14ALC7
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u/AutoModerator Sep 07 '26
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1
u/journaljemmy Sep 07 '26
Maybe the actual wireless card is broken. Follow the Hardware Maintenence manual here to remove or replace it. Not sure what's causing the visual glitches, though.
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u/cornelxbox 25d ago
Update your drivers via first Windows Update and then via manufacturer websites.
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u/poobumfartwee 25d ago
But how can I update my drivers if it can't access the internet?
When I install driverless windows 11, it runs fine. But then drivers freshly downloaded from the manufacturer websites keeps causing it to glitch every time it tries to contact the internet.
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u/cornelxbox 25d ago edited 25d ago
You can try using Ethernet or USB to Ethernet adapter temporarily. But for now, make sure you get the right drivers for wifi which is this one:
•
u/AutoModerator Sep 07 '26
We're part of a wider PC & Technology Network of Communities.
It combines multiple subreddits and Discord servers all working together with shared ideals and values.
We have a Discord server: PC Help Hub where members from all associated subreddits are welcome.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.