ThinkPad W530/W540/W541/W550 Series

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Topics

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Last post

W540 with 6 Pin Fan, New Board Need 8Pin

Last post by JuanOpinyon « Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:07 pm
Replies: 1
by shouldbeworking » Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:05 am

Good Afternoon All,

So I had a dead W540 series, I ordered a replacement motherboard which just arrived. Everything works apart from the fan as the...

1 Replies

13826 Views

Last post by JuanOpinyon
Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:07 pm
w530 backlit keyboard problem

Last post by Jake.Werecat « Thu Mar 16, 2023 3:19 pm
Replies: 2
by tsathoggua » Fri Feb 10, 2023 2:32 am

Hey!
I recently became a happy owner of a w530. But since it came with a backlit keyboard, and I wanted it to be backlit, I bought a suitable...

2 Replies

8919 Views

Last post by Jake.Werecat
Thu Mar 16, 2023 3:19 pm
Which Screen Replacements Will Work for the W550s?

Last post by oblong « Sat Jan 21, 2023 12:30 am

by oblong » Sat Jan 21, 2023 12:30 am

Looking to upgrade the stock TN FHD panel to an IPS one. Doesn't have to be 2k or 3k, 1080p is fine as long as it is bright and has IPS viewing...

0 Replies

7209 Views

Last post by oblong
Sat Jan 21, 2023 12:30 am
Which m.2 SSDs will fit in the W550s?

Last post by oblong « Sat Jan 21, 2023 12:23 am
Replies: 1
by oblong » Mon Jan 16, 2023 2:11 am

So far I know these requirements:
1. M.2 SATA Key
2. 2242 Form Factor
3. Maybe: Single Sided

That leaves me with Transcendent MTS430s or ADATA SP900...

1 Replies

6604 Views

Last post by oblong
Sat Jan 21, 2023 12:23 am
W530 / Nvidia K2000M external display blanking

Last post by DiagonalArg « Tue Jan 10, 2023 11:11 am
Replies: 2
by simes » Thu Jan 13, 2022 1:00 pm

Hi everyone, I use a W530 as my daily driver, usually in a dock with an external display (1920x1200) connected via DisplayPort/HDMI adapter cable....

2 Replies

10176 Views

Last post by DiagonalArg
Tue Jan 10, 2023 11:11 am
W540 3K Screen Upgrade from FHD - what do I need?

Last post by WavermanD « Mon Jan 02, 2023 1:22 pm
Replies: 2
by WavermanD » Sun Jan 01, 2023 4:16 pm

I've been made very curious by this eBay listing for a 2880x1620 touch screen assembly for the W540/W541. It's inexpensive, returns are offered, and...

2 Replies

7103 Views

Last post by WavermanD
Mon Jan 02, 2023 1:22 pm
Odd driver issues after replacing keyboard

Last post by RealBlackStuff « Fri Nov 18, 2022 4:44 am
Replies: 15
by Weboh » Wed Sep 21, 2022 10:55 am

I had a few dead keys on my keyboard, so I replaced it. It was a simple hardware swap that is now giving me a headache with software issues.

The new...

15 Replies

17432 Views

Last post by RealBlackStuff
Fri Nov 18, 2022 4:44 am
W530 middle button and right button indistinguishable

Last post by cacophony « Sun Nov 13, 2022 2:40 am
Replies: 2
by cacophony » Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:11 pm

I've been using a W520 for the past 6 years and just bought a W530.

I installed a fresh copy of Win 10. I did all the Windows updates, and then let...

2 Replies

6422 Views

Last post by cacophony
Sun Nov 13, 2022 2:40 am
Arrival of my new W541 "Toy"

Last post by schen « Thu Sep 08, 2022 10:14 am
Replies: 4
by schen » Fri Sep 02, 2022 12:00 pm

Recently, I came across a W541 on eBay at a good price (sub $100) and ran with it. It's fairly low spec'd with the FHD TN panel and very few extras....

4 Replies

7287 Views

Last post by schen
Thu Sep 08, 2022 10:14 am
Charging not working... Any theory? (solved)

Last post by heilong « Tue Aug 16, 2022 8:08 am
Replies: 15
by wrybread » Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:34 am

Ugh, my w530 suddenly won't charge. Symptoms:

- works fine off battery

- doesn't do anything when I connect a charger. Doesn't detect it, nothing...

15 Replies

18817 Views

Last post by heilong
Tue Aug 16, 2022 8:08 am
W530 For Light Gaming and School Work

Last post by heilong « Tue Aug 16, 2022 7:51 am
Replies: 7
by Pete B » Sat Aug 03, 2019 9:30 pm

I've finding W530s fairly cheap on ebay and they more often have core i7 quad cores than the T version.
Are they a good choice for light gaming...

7 Replies

19966 Views

Last post by heilong
Tue Aug 16, 2022 7:51 am
[W530] Freezes and Random Reboots. CPU or Motherboard?

Last post by tamqra « Mon Aug 15, 2022 9:46 am
Replies: 90
by RasmusP » Thu Jan 08, 2015 1:13 pm
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2

3

4
Hi,

I have a W530 with an Intel i7-3840QM CPU. I have two problems with it that I'm trying to debug.

Sometimes the computer reboots randomly....
90 Replies

145875 Views

Last post by tamqra
Mon Aug 15, 2022 9:46 am
Tips to troubleshoot clicking sound from speakers?

Last post by wrybread « Sun Jun 26, 2022 5:24 pm
Replies: 1
by wrybread » Sun Jun 26, 2022 3:25 pm

I have a new-to-me W530, and I'm getting an odd clicking/popping sound from the speakers when playing audio. I can even hear it in this test tone...

1 Replies

6979 Views

Last post by wrybread
Sun Jun 26, 2022 5:24 pm
W541 with P50 keyboard?

Last post by Ibthink « Tue Jun 21, 2022 4:43 pm
Replies: 1
by riverstyx » Sun Jun 19, 2022 3:08 pm

Hi all,

Does anyone know whether a P50 keyboard will fit and work correctly in a W541?

I currently use both machines (in different locations) and...

1 Replies

5661 Views

Last post by Ibthink
Tue Jun 21, 2022 4:43 pm
W541 keyboard issues.

Last post by bdm66 « Mon Jun 06, 2022 4:51 pm
Replies: 2
by bdm66 » Sun Jun 05, 2022 6:02 pm

This computer had numerous keys that wouldn't work. I replaced the keyboard only to find that it made no difference to the problem. I then tried an...

2 Replies

6035 Views

Last post by bdm66
Mon Jun 06, 2022 4:51 pm
Anyone go to Wi-Fi 6 on a W540?

Last post by RealBlackStuff « Wed May 11, 2022 1:25 am
Replies: 2
by CharlieDog » Sun Dec 19, 2021 12:39 pm

Thinking of replacing my five year old router with a new Wi-Fi 6 one for our home network, and wonder if it would be worth upgrading my W540 to Wi-Fi...

2 Replies

9391 Views

Last post by RealBlackStuff
Wed May 11, 2022 1:25 am
More than 32G RAM in W530?

Last post by mikemex « Sat Apr 30, 2022 1:10 am
Replies: 6
by bwaldow » Tue Feb 08, 2022 9:26 pm

Does anyone have knowledge of this possibility? I have read some machines can use larger RAM modules with the same characteristics than spec'ed....

6 Replies

8812 Views

Last post by mikemex
Sat Apr 30, 2022 1:10 am
W530: BIOS Not Recognizing External SSD

Last post by RealBlackStuff « Sun Apr 03, 2022 1:48 am
Replies: 2
by Imperatrix » Mon Mar 14, 2022 9:34 am

Hey guys! I hope everyone's doing well! The title says it all. My BIOS can't read my external SSD, but Windows and my other OSes can read it just...

2 Replies

6288 Views

Last post by RealBlackStuff
Sun Apr 03, 2022 1:48 am
Faster Ram

Last post by heilong « Thu Feb 24, 2022 3:57 pm
Replies: 9
by indicium » Mon Oct 06, 2014 8:05 pm

I installed some Corsair Vengeance PC3-17000, 2133 MHz SO-DIMM's today and had an interesting experience. When first installed, they were both in the...

9 Replies

17618 Views

Last post by heilong
Thu Feb 24, 2022 3:57 pm
Strange audio problem when running both Chrome and Firefox

Last post by wrybread « Wed Feb 23, 2022 11:10 pm
Replies: 4
by wrybread » Sat Oct 16, 2021 4:36 pm

I've been having an odd sound problem, and I don't know if it's a Windows issue, a browser issue or a driver issue. On my W530 running Windows 10 if...

4 Replies

9672 Views

Last post by wrybread
Wed Feb 23, 2022 11:10 pm
W541 - How easy ..

Last post by OneByteCPU « Wed Feb 09, 2022 7:24 am
Replies: 4
by OneByteCPU » Tue Feb 08, 2022 7:36 pm

.. is it to unlock the BIOS on one of these?

4 Replies

6378 Views

Last post by OneByteCPU
Wed Feb 09, 2022 7:24 am
W541 Recovery help..

Last post by OneByteCPU « Tue Feb 08, 2022 7:49 pm
Replies: 4
by chazz » Thu Dec 23, 2021 4:42 pm

Hi All
Not been here for awhile, hope everyone is doing well.

Recently I've purchased an used W541 off #bay.
The machine is currently running Win10...

4 Replies

7641 Views

Last post by OneByteCPU
Tue Feb 08, 2022 7:49 pm
Discrete graphics for a Corebooted W530

Last post by simes « Sun Jan 16, 2022 3:23 am
Replies: 1
by eunjung » Fri Oct 22, 2021 6:17 am

From those who already have their W530 corebooted, can you tell me if the discrete graphics is still functional? Did you test external GPU...

1 Replies

10492 Views

Last post by simes
Sun Jan 16, 2022 3:23 am
Can I get an extra battery that plugs into my dock port?

Last post by Weboh « Wed Jan 05, 2022 7:05 pm
Replies: 2
by Weboh » Tue Nov 16, 2021 6:36 pm

I want to get an additional battery for my W540. Did Lenovo ever make one that plugs into the docking port? It's not coming up with a standard...

2 Replies

8817 Views

Last post by Weboh
Wed Jan 05, 2022 7:05 pm
W530 Trouble

Last post by my03 « Sat Dec 25, 2021 1:27 pm
Replies: 21
by thealphaoverseer » Sun Jun 28, 2020 3:22 am

Hi Everyone!
This is my first post here, so please don't judge me. I'm also a novice with computers, but my friend inspired me to become interested....

21 Replies

24438 Views

Last post by my03
Sat Dec 25, 2021 1:27 pm
Annoying touchpad issue

Last post by wrybread « Wed Dec 15, 2021 3:12 pm

by wrybread » Wed Dec 15, 2021 3:12 pm

I have an issue with the touchpad on my W530 where the pointer won't move until I wait a couple of seconds, and it happens pretty frequently. And I...

0 Replies

7737 Views

Last post by wrybread
Wed Dec 15, 2021 3:12 pm
W541 FrankenPad not booting, lost, please help (updated) *WARNING: PICS*)

Last post by Lucretia « Fri Dec 10, 2021 7:02 am
Replies: 5
by Lucretia » Wed Dec 08, 2021 3:11 pm

Hi,

I'm trying to piece together the bits required for a W541. I just got a fan with the 6-pin connector and the wider heat sink areas for the...

5 Replies

9617 Views

Last post by Lucretia
Fri Dec 10, 2021 7:02 am
Thinkpad w530 Keyboard at war with ARDUINO IDE

Last post by Nasca64 « Tue Nov 30, 2021 12:16 pm
Replies: 2
by Nasca64 » Tue Nov 30, 2021 9:11 am

Guys, good afternoon to all. I have been using on and off Thinkads for twenty years, not for professional use but i have fun with Autodesk Autocad...

2 Replies

7566 Views

Last post by Nasca64
Tue Nov 30, 2021 12:16 pm
W530/K2000M + Linux + external monitor still a problem?

Last post by ThinkTwinki « Mon Nov 15, 2021 8:19 am
Replies: 13
by atagunov » Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:04 pm

Hi,

I just purchased a W530 because I wanted 32Gb under Linux; I'll be waiting for delivery a few more days
However it has come to my attention that...

13 Replies

22532 Views

Last post by ThinkTwinki
Mon Nov 15, 2021 8:19 am
W530/K1000M - Screen upgrade to FHD? Problem with "Built in" EDID?

Last post by DiagonalArg « Mon Nov 15, 2021 12:29 am
Replies: 7
by DiagonalArg » Tue Apr 13, 2021 5:51 am

My W530 has an AUO B156RW01 v.1 LCD. That's WXGA++ (1600x900) and I'd like to upgrade to FHD. I have done a similar upgrade with my T530 and T520,...

7 Replies

14757 Views

Last post by DiagonalArg
Mon Nov 15, 2021 12:29 am
Fuse map of W540 needed

Last post by Jackbee « Tue Oct 19, 2021 9:28 am

by Jackbee » Tue Oct 19, 2021 9:28 am

I experienced that same backlight fuse issue that I got with many other people swapping out LCD panels while the battery was still inserted. In...

0 Replies

7595 Views

Last post by Jackbee
Tue Oct 19, 2021 9:28 am
Necessity of using the 170 watt charger? (SOLVED!)

Last post by wrybread « Sat Oct 16, 2021 4:42 pm
Replies: 43
by wrybread » Fri Jan 29, 2021 2:39 pm
1

2
I have my W530 set to use the Intel graphics card, which I was hoping would allow me to use my old 90 watt chargers, but apparently not... Is the...
43 Replies

75912 Views

Last post by wrybread
Sat Oct 16, 2021 4:42 pm
Downgrading the screen on a W530

Last post by olddog « Thu Sep 16, 2021 3:05 am
Replies: 14
by dwf » Mon Mar 29, 2021 6:33 am

hi,

I am looking to replace the screen on my W530. The unusual part of this (I guess) is that I want to downgrade the screen, from 1080p to...

14 Replies

13672 Views

Last post by olddog
Thu Sep 16, 2021 3:05 am
2560x1440 for W530

Last post by mikemex « Sat Sep 11, 2021 12:00 am
Replies: 1
by my03 » Fri Sep 10, 2021 1:16 pm

First of all - apologies if this question has come up before.

Would it be possible to replace the 1080 display of an W530 with a higher resolution...

1 Replies

7138 Views

Last post by mikemex
Sat Sep 11, 2021 12:00 am
Replacing CPU fan or fan+heatsink on W550s

Last post by RealBlackStuff « Thu Sep 09, 2021 1:33 am
Replies: 3
by BornABruin » Tue Sep 07, 2021 4:25 pm

I have a W550s with a noisy CPU fan (bearings going south). I see that there are both cpu fans with the heat pipe/heatsink (00J267 or 00J268) but I...

3 Replies

8438 Views

Last post by RealBlackStuff
Thu Sep 09, 2021 1:33 am
minidisplay-HDMI adapter

Last post by dr_st « Thu Aug 26, 2021 8:21 am
Replies: 4
by Freewheeling » Mon Jul 26, 2021 5:27 am

Dear community

does the mini-displayport of W530 accept mini-displayport-HMDI adapter that is labeled for Apple? Such as this one->

If not, why,...

4 Replies

8117 Views

Last post by dr_st
Thu Aug 26, 2021 8:21 am
W530: Replace fan in existing fan chassis?

Last post by 28CarsLater « Fri Aug 13, 2021 1:23 pm
Replies: 3
by 28CarsLater » Thu Aug 12, 2021 3:15 pm

I have a W530 in which I need to replace the fan, I just wanted to clarify may I buy just the fan to mount it in the fan chassis and if so is there a...

3 Replies

9285 Views

Last post by 28CarsLater
Fri Aug 13, 2021 1:23 pm
W/T530 CPU Mod - HSF 04W3626 / 04W3623 sufficient?

Last post by my03 « Sat Jul 31, 2021 10:22 am
Replies: 10
by DiagonalArg » Fri Apr 23, 2021 2:56 am

Edited because I was getting @RBS confused!

I'm looking at upgrades to my W & T530's. The HSF's listed on the Lenovo website have no indication of...

10 Replies

13939 Views

Last post by my03
Sat Jul 31, 2021 10:22 am
Can I test the BIOS chip for errors on a booted W541 ThinkPad

Last post by Geophyte1 « Fri Jul 30, 2021 10:30 am
Replies: 13
by Geophyte1 » Fri Jul 16, 2021 3:17 pm

Is there a way to check the bios chip for errors on a W541 ThinkPad computer that is booted up?
I don't see that hardware listed in the Lenovo...

13 Replies

10953 Views

Last post by Geophyte1
Fri Jul 30, 2021 10:30 am
W550s internal battery possibly bulging; replacement available?

Last post by dr_st « Tue Jul 27, 2021 1:08 pm
Replies: 1
by BurtieLad » Tue Jul 27, 2021 6:54 am

Hi all

First post and all that :)

I recently took possession of my old work laptop (W550S) as my own through a charitable donation. I'm saddened to...

1 Replies

6297 Views

Last post by dr_st
Tue Jul 27, 2021 1:08 pm
Has anyone tried upgrading cells in the battery pack?

Last post by wrybread « Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:08 pm

by wrybread » Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:08 pm

I have the 9 cell battery pack in my W530, and I get about 1.5 hours of life from it on average. And everytime I buy one off ebay I get similar...

0 Replies

6932 Views

Last post by wrybread
Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:08 pm
W541 boot up ThinkPad Screen is taking over a minute to disappear

Last post by Geophyte1 « Wed Jul 14, 2021 12:41 pm

by Geophyte1 » Wed Jul 14, 2021 12:41 pm

Boot up times on my W541 with Windows 10 and 16 gig ram have been increasing for about 4 or 5 months. I do the Windows 10 updates as requested and am...

0 Replies

6796 Views

Last post by Geophyte1
Wed Jul 14, 2021 12:41 pm
W530 random shutdowns when moved

Last post by sup « Sun Jul 04, 2021 6:35 pm
Replies: 10
by sup » Fri Jan 22, 2021 9:39 am

I have a W530 that is quite stable when docked and not touched. However, when I move it around, it frequently abruptly shuts down as if the batter...

10 Replies

11444 Views

Last post by sup
Sun Jul 04, 2021 6:35 pm
W530 Fails to Boot when Docked

Last post by DiagonalArg « Mon Jun 28, 2021 4:09 am
Replies: 1
by DiagonalArg » Sun Jun 27, 2021 10:28 pm

Is anyone having this problem? I get an error when I try to book with my W530 docked:

Unexpected return from initial read: Volume Corrupt,...

1 Replies

6621 Views

Last post by DiagonalArg
Mon Jun 28, 2021 4:09 am
W541 Ultrabay usage

Last post by schen « Tue May 11, 2021 12:09 pm
Replies: 3
by josh5k » Mon Mar 01, 2021 5:41 am

I just picked an used W541 and was looking to replace the Ultrabay (it's empty right) with a Second Hard Drive caddy. The space looks to be sealed...

3 Replies

9085 Views

Last post by schen
Tue May 11, 2021 12:09 pm
W541 One core overheats

Last post by olddog « Sun Apr 25, 2021 8:54 pm
Replies: 2
by olddog » Sun Apr 25, 2021 11:46 am

I have just acquired a very nice W541 from Ebay.
Well, I thought it was very nice. The fan keeps cutting in noisily, even under low loads, and...

2 Replies

7586 Views

Last post by olddog
Sun Apr 25, 2021 8:54 pm
How to remove thumbnail from volume control OSD? [solved!]

Last post by wrybread « Wed Apr 21, 2021 3:13 pm
Replies: 15
by wrybread » Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:01 pm

At some point the OSD for volume control on my W530 became really large, with a thumbnail, like this:

I think it happened when I updated the...

15 Replies

18105 Views

Last post by wrybread
Wed Apr 21, 2021 3:13 pm
IPS Screens for any T/W-520/530?

Last post by TPFanatic « Wed Apr 21, 2021 10:39 am
Replies: 10
by DiagonalArg » Tue Dec 08, 2020 10:57 pm

I bought a couple of FHD screens here for my W/T-520/530 collection, which I really enjoyed until ...

I understand IPS screens are easier on the...

10 Replies

15012 Views

Last post by TPFanatic
Wed Apr 21, 2021 10:39 am
LG-Philips LP156WF1(TL)(B1) - Anyone with experience with this panel?

Last post by DiagonalArg « Tue Apr 13, 2021 7:53 pm
Replies: 2
by DiagonalArg » Tue Apr 13, 2021 5:20 pm

I've found some mention of the LP156WF1-TLB2 on this board, but not the -TLB1 . It's listed as compatible with the W530, and it still available, but...

2 Replies

7895 Views

Last post by DiagonalArg
Tue Apr 13, 2021 7:53 pm
Color calibration on W530?

Last post by atagunov « Tue Apr 13, 2021 2:16 pm
Replies: 2
by atagunov » Tue Apr 13, 2021 6:39 am

Hi, I could research, but...

- as a new owner of a W530 with FHD
- I heard about built-in colour calibration

Anybody knows anything?

- suppose...

2 Replies

8421 Views

Last post by atagunov
Tue Apr 13, 2021 2:16 pm

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