I recently found a T30 without battery on the sidewalk. I don't have it's AC adapter, so I use a lab power supply, but all I get is the "critical low-battery error" and sometimes I manage to get to the bios setup screen. If I buy an original adapter, will it work?

Thanks in advance.

With the proper power supply it can.

Original T30 Adapter:

16V 4.5A

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Short answer, maybe. Longer answer: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=60037

On that T23 I described, the only time that the 0190 error goes away is when I have a known good battery installed. Still haven't gotten around (or worked up the nerve) to plug the "dead" battery into another one of my T23s and see what that does. Using a lab supply, as long as it can supply at least 4 to 4.5 amps at 16VDC, should be fine. My guess is that you will also need a good battery to get past the critical low-battery error.

Could also be the CMOS battery that's drained.

Possibly. I only checked the voltage being supplied (2.9V or so). Don't know if there's any respectable current behind it. I've got a mess of used T2x backup batteries so I'll see if that helps. Said T23 is on the shelf waiting its turn at the bench where it will be opened up and re-soldered.

edit: I swapped out the CMOS battery with one that measured 3V and it didn't help. The original CMOS battery was putting out at least 100ma with a quick check of the ammeter across the terminals (I know, not a real good thing to do but I didn't have any resistor handy). The system still gives the 0190 error with no main battery installed and no error with a good battery. As before, it does not appear to charge any battery (the LED on the right hinge does not come on when the AC adapter is plugged in and the system not turned on), yet it indicates the status of the installed battery correctly when booted (solid green with good battery; flashing orange with an almost dead battery). I'd guess that the inductor in the charging circuit is disconnected as well as one on the bottom. I was able to power up the system consistently after I torqued the front left corner a little bit and kept the system standing up on its left side while I changed out the batteries and power on and off.

Okay-- I know this isn't helpful but I just have to remark on the beauty of Spain, The streets may not be paved with gold, but finding a T30 on the street is not too shabby either...IMHO

probably the same as we do here: if you're throwing something out that might be of use to someone else you set it on the sidewalk instead of throwing it in the bin. books and computer parts are the usual items...

and on topic: my T30 works just fine without the battery in place. only problem is that one of the rubber feet is integral with the battery so i have to jack it up with cardboard so it doesn't rock back and forth when i type....



dave