Thinkpads Forum

My T30 Thinkpad has developed a problem with the round power on (boot) button. When I do a Windows XP shut down, I frequently have to press the power on button 6-12 times before I hear the hard drive spin up and Windows XP start its boot up. If I press the power on button right after the laptop shuts off, it usually reboots on the first or second pressing of the power on button. One trick that I've learned is to unplug the AC power adapter before pressing the power on button. That usually shortens the number of attempts to get the T30 to reboot Windows. After the hard drive spins up and Windows starts to boot up, I plug the AC adapter back into the laptop. I also tried installing a new hard drive in the T30 but continued to have problems with the power on button failing to work.

Based on these symptoms, can somebody tell me if this is likely a T30 motherboard going bad or could it be a faulty keyboard. Should I try investing in a new keyboard? The T30 has been used for about 8 years.

As far as the keyboard being defective, that symptom would not change if the power cord were disconnected. Still, as a troubleshooting aid I'd be tempted to try powering it up in a dock using the docks power button.

If you don't have a dock, I could sell you a port-replicator for the T30 for $12.- shipped.
PM me if interested.

I do have a port replicator. As I recall, I had the same problem with the port replicator's power on button. Let me try it again to confirm. Thanks for the suggestion.

I tried powering up the T30 with a new AC power adapter that I have - both without and with the port replicator (i.e. using the port replicator's power on button) and have the same symptoms: the hard drive doesn't start up (it doesn't boot up) with the AC power adapter plugged in but usually starts up when I remove the AC adapter and use the internal battery. Doesn't this indicate that my T30's motherboard is going bad? Can a problem like this be fixed or should I assume that the T30 is near the end of it's useful life? I wonder how much longer I will be able to boot the T30 using just the battery?

What happens if you remove the battery and just use the AC adapter?

Your symptom sounds rather like an AC adapter problem.
Use a multimeter on the adapter plug, + on the inside of the barrel, - on the outside.
You should measure 16V DC

I tried removing the battery and used the AC adapter and get the same symptoms: it won't boot up. It only boots up (hard drive starts) went I'm running it off it's internal battery.

I'm using a brand new AC adapter. The voltage measures 16.73V DC.

Check the DC jack wiring. There are 2 wires from each pole of the jack going into a socket that is plugged into the motherboard.
These wires might 'short' when you plug in the powercable, but would somehow be OK without that.
If the TP was taken apart and not properly re-assembled, these wires could become 'clamped in'.

But the AC adapter does recharge the internal battery when it is low so I don't think the power connector wires could be shorting.