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T40 all kinds of problems.
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- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2009 5:33 pm
- Location: Sayre, PA
T40 all kinds of problems.
I bought a refurb T40 about a year ago. For various reasons, it stayed in the box for several months. When I finally got around to opening it up, I began having problems immediately. The unit would boot up, but within a few minutes of operation, it locks up. Just stops dead in whatever program or operation is running. Not a blue screen, just freezes.
At the time, I tried a reformat and new XP install. I also tried replacing the memory. I gave up on it, just been sitting there. Unit looks like new, but that doesn't do much good.
Today I tried another crack at it. I downloaded all the current drivers, using another machine, and installed them. The machine locked up at least 6 times just in the time it took to install the drivers. Still the same thing. I tried turning off the wifi, thought that might be the issue. I also tried running in safe mode, which ran longer, but still locked up.
I suspect there is a problem with either the display, or the display drivers. I've been reinstalling drivers, and the ATI Radeon install process won't complete. I get an error message that some options are wrong. When that happened, I decided to start with yet another fresh XP installation. Put the CD in, started the process, but got about half way through the process of copying files from the CD to the hard drive (blue screen stuff), and it locked up there. At this moment, I can't get it to do anything.
Before starting the reinstall, I was able to completely run the PC Doctor diagnostics. Everything checked out ok. That makes me even more confused.
I don't now if this is a display problem, a mother board problem, or what. I don't mind buying a part, but don't want to spend more money on it, just trying things.
Suggestions?
At the time, I tried a reformat and new XP install. I also tried replacing the memory. I gave up on it, just been sitting there. Unit looks like new, but that doesn't do much good.
Today I tried another crack at it. I downloaded all the current drivers, using another machine, and installed them. The machine locked up at least 6 times just in the time it took to install the drivers. Still the same thing. I tried turning off the wifi, thought that might be the issue. I also tried running in safe mode, which ran longer, but still locked up.
I suspect there is a problem with either the display, or the display drivers. I've been reinstalling drivers, and the ATI Radeon install process won't complete. I get an error message that some options are wrong. When that happened, I decided to start with yet another fresh XP installation. Put the CD in, started the process, but got about half way through the process of copying files from the CD to the hard drive (blue screen stuff), and it locked up there. At this moment, I can't get it to do anything.
Before starting the reinstall, I was able to completely run the PC Doctor diagnostics. Everything checked out ok. That makes me even more confused.
I don't now if this is a display problem, a mother board problem, or what. I don't mind buying a part, but don't want to spend more money on it, just trying things.
Suggestions?
Re: T40 all kinds of problems.
Sounds like a hardware problem but to be absolutely sure, try to get hold of some T40 recovery CDs. That will eliminate incorrect hardware drivers as the problem.
Keith
(Formerly 600E, T21, T30, T40, T41, 2xT42, 2xT61p, T420, 2x Ideapad K1)
(Currently 4xT430, 2xT460, H520S, M910q, M920q, M70q)
(Formerly 600E, T21, T30, T40, T41, 2xT42, 2xT61p, T420, 2x Ideapad K1)
(Currently 4xT430, 2xT460, H520S, M910q, M920q, M70q)
Re: T40 all kinds of problems.
Sounds to me like an over heating problem. Have you noticed the cooling fan continuously running or maybe not even running at all? I would try the PC Doctor Diags again and just test the cooling fan to see if it comes on. Keep in mind that the overheating is not isolated to the CPU alone, the video chipset getting hot will freeze the system as well. I have a Toshiba Tecra with this problem for which I am looking to replace the system board. And in regards to the video, have you tried an external monitor to see if functionality continues after the screen freezes?
Good luck and keep us posted.
Al D.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Al D.
Thinkpad T40 2373-Y1E - 1.5 MHz
Thinkpad T23 2647-KU2 - 1.13MHz
Thinkpad 600e - 366 MHz
Toshiba Tecra 8100 - 750 or 850 MHZ (which ever one is working)
Digital HiNote Ultra 2000 - 233 MHz - Still Ticking
Thinkpad T23 2647-KU2 - 1.13MHz
Thinkpad 600e - 366 MHz
Toshiba Tecra 8100 - 750 or 850 MHZ (which ever one is working)
Digital HiNote Ultra 2000 - 233 MHz - Still Ticking
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- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2009 5:33 pm
- Location: Sayre, PA
Re: T40 all kinds of problems.
Thanks for the suggestions. Please keep scratching your head, I don't think we've got it yet.
The drivers are the latest, downloaded today from the lenovo web site. Temperature doesn't seem to be an issue, does the same thing stone cold.
The drivers are the latest, downloaded today from the lenovo web site. Temperature doesn't seem to be an issue, does the same thing stone cold.
Re: T40 all kinds of problems.
Have you run PC-Doctor from bootable CD or from within Windows?
Personally, I'd try removing the wireless card and hard drive, then booting a "live" Linux CD to see what happens...
Personally, I'd try removing the wireless card and hard drive, then booting a "live" Linux CD to see what happens...
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)
Cheers,
George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)
One FlexView to rule them all: A31p
Abused daily: T520, X200s
PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.
Cheers,
George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)
One FlexView to rule them all: A31p
Abused daily: T520, X200s
PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.
Re: T40 all kinds of problems.
Remove the kyboard, but let it on the cable. Power on the laptop. Check temp. near the CPU as there is some chance that there is some bad heat transfer to the cooler.carsalesman wrote:Temperature doesn't seem to be an issue, does the same thing stone cold.
And maybe also try to run the laptop w/o the battery, just to be sure that it's not causing any trouble.
IBM T40p 2373-CG6, Pentium M 1.5 GHz, 1024 MB RAM, 40GB HDD, 14.1" TFT, ATI FireGL 9000 64 MB
Dual boot WinXP + Fedora Core 10
Dual boot WinXP + Fedora Core 10
Re: T40 all kinds of problems.
From what I know, it could also be the dreaded T4x GPU issue. Anyone can confirm?
ThinkPad™ X201 / AFFS-120
i5-560M 2.67Ghz, 8GB RAM, Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD, Win 8 Pro 64-bit, UltraBase X200, ThinkPad Compact USB Keyboard,
Dell U2713HM (2560x1440, IPS), ExpressCard USB 3.0 (2 ports, flush), Nexus 7+10
i5-560M 2.67Ghz, 8GB RAM, Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD, Win 8 Pro 64-bit, UltraBase X200, ThinkPad Compact USB Keyboard,
Dell U2713HM (2560x1440, IPS), ExpressCard USB 3.0 (2 ports, flush), Nexus 7+10
Re: T40 all kinds of problems.
Yak, I don't recall the GPU issue ever causing a freeze with video on condition. Usually it blanks out the screen or shuts down power or causes video corruption. I suppose it is possible. The OP should try applying pressure to the GPU (look for the big chip on the systemboard with ATI on it. It may be under a heatsink attached to the fan depending on model fan) while running the installation/s that fail. If no hard freezes occur while applying pressure, then it is indeed a loose GPU issue.
Re: T40 all kinds of problems.
And if even this will not help, your last chance is to change the fuel and air filter
IBM T40p 2373-CG6, Pentium M 1.5 GHz, 1024 MB RAM, 40GB HDD, 14.1" TFT, ATI FireGL 9000 64 MB
Dual boot WinXP + Fedora Core 10
Dual boot WinXP + Fedora Core 10
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- Moderator
- Posts: 4020
- Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2005 3:52 pm
- Location: Wash., D.C.
Re: T40 all kinds of problems.
I'd say better than 95% chance it's the GPU. The GPU problem is like getting a computer virus, at first you think it's everything but what it really is. The GPU problem presents itself many, many ways.
If you press on the GPU before and after power up and it runs normally until you release and shake or flex or twist the machine, you've got the GPU issue.
Luckily, there are several options for repair or replacement.
If you press on the GPU before and after power up and it runs normally until you release and shake or flex or twist the machine, you've got the GPU issue.
Luckily, there are several options for repair or replacement.
T510, i7-620m, NVidia, HD+, 8GB, 512GB Intel 545s SSD, Webcam, BT, FPR Home
T400s, C2D SP9400, Intel 4500MHD, WXGA+, 8GB, 160GB Intel X18-M G2 SSD, Webcam, BT, FPR Travel
Edge 14 i5-540m, Intel HD Graphics, HD, 8GB, 180GB Intel Pro 1500 SSD, Webcam, BT, red cover Music
T400s, C2D SP9400, Intel 4500MHD, WXGA+, 8GB, 160GB Intel X18-M G2 SSD, Webcam, BT, FPR Travel
Edge 14 i5-540m, Intel HD Graphics, HD, 8GB, 180GB Intel Pro 1500 SSD, Webcam, BT, red cover Music
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- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2009 5:33 pm
- Location: Sayre, PA
Re: T40 all kinds of problems.
NOOB here. Please explain 'several options'. I don't mind opening up the unit myself. I assume it will need a new motherboard? Can they be obtained cheap enough to make it worthwhile?underclocker wrote:I'd say better than 95% chance it's the GPU. The GPU problem is like getting a computer virus, at first you think it's everything but what it really is. The GPU problem presents itself many, many ways.
If you press on the GPU before and after power up and it runs normally until you release and shake or flex or twist the machine, you've got the GPU issue.
Luckily, there are several options for repair or replacement.
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- Moderator
- Posts: 4020
- Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2005 3:52 pm
- Location: Wash., D.C.
Re: T40 all kinds of problems.
Please review these threads on the loose GPU topic;
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33952
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=57021
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=65505
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=72974
Welcome to the forum and please note the search function, it works very well.
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33952
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=57021
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=65505
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=72974
Welcome to the forum and please note the search function, it works very well.
T510, i7-620m, NVidia, HD+, 8GB, 512GB Intel 545s SSD, Webcam, BT, FPR Home
T400s, C2D SP9400, Intel 4500MHD, WXGA+, 8GB, 160GB Intel X18-M G2 SSD, Webcam, BT, FPR Travel
Edge 14 i5-540m, Intel HD Graphics, HD, 8GB, 180GB Intel Pro 1500 SSD, Webcam, BT, red cover Music
T400s, C2D SP9400, Intel 4500MHD, WXGA+, 8GB, 160GB Intel X18-M G2 SSD, Webcam, BT, FPR Travel
Edge 14 i5-540m, Intel HD Graphics, HD, 8GB, 180GB Intel Pro 1500 SSD, Webcam, BT, red cover Music
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