Problem Booting Past the Initial IBM Flash Screen on a T43

[wallter]

Why yes, I did do this project myself. I just hope I can fix my fix this boner. I'm asking for help, indeed I'm sending out an S-O-S along with the following War & Peace length forum question.

I am working on a T43-2687. It had 1.5 GB RAM. My job was to increase it to 2. To do this, I had to replace the .5 module under the keyboard, as the module on the bottom was already 1. Problem was that someone previously had removed the keyboard screws, presumably to take a peak at the innards, and then used non-IBM screws to put it back together. The heads on two of the screws were hopelessly stripped. That tinker then forced the wrong size screws into place, and in the process even stripped the heads. When the tinker realized what he had done, I think (based on my failing sense of smell) he may even have used WD40 to try to loosen the screws, and then tried again, making things worse.

Removing a recessed precision screw with a stripped head screw is not easy. After researching pretty carefully, I found an appropriate screw extractor, actually two. I ordered both options. One was clearly superior. It worked great on one of the screws. On the second, however, no such luck. I essentially had to drill the top of the screw carefully and slowly until I could remove the top, and then remove the keyboard with the bottom of the screw in its fitting. Nothing forced.

With the bottom end of that screw still in the keyboard. I used a pair of pliers quite carefully in turning and removing it, though it was really lodged in there. Throughout, I was able to go slow in the process and take my time, but nonetheless I had to put pressure on the underside case when I tried to extract the intransigent recessed screw. I tried to be judicious in the pressure used. Throughout the process I regularly cleaned off the shavings so they would not fall into the interior of the computer.

After all this, I traded out the RAM, using the known good RAM under the keyboard. I had purchased a new set of IBM screws and replaced the old ones and reassembled the computer. All went well. On the first boot, however, I only got as far as Windows Starting screen, but then the computer froze. Subsequently, I have not been able to get beyond the initial IBM splash screen -- I can't get into the BIOS, I can't get anywhere.

I have access to other similar ThinkPads. I confirmed that the Crucial RAM is good, the power supply is good, and the battery is good. Even the CD drive is good.

I've tried to boot from a CD and not just the hard drive, both with the hard drive installed and without it. If I remove the RAM entirely, I get the familiar 1-3-3-1 beep, which gives me some optimism. I tried the old nostrum of repeatedly tapping the power switch and then holding it down 20 seconds or so. I also removed the CMOS battery and waited overnight before re-assembling things. I double checked to make sure the wireless card remained properly seated. On the other hand, I have not removed the Ethernet/modem card.

There is no visible damage to the motherboard. I hate to say it, but mother board damage seems to me the most likely problem based on my experience.

I didn't create the initial problem, but all on my own I was able to take something minor (if it ain't broke) and merely annoying and morph it into a real humdinger. Any suggestions on potential fixing, at least those not involving a sledge hammer, would be greatly appreciated. Moreover, if you have no substantive suggestions, if you could simply help me develop the rationalizing under-girding my "I didn't do it, the problem as inevitable after the first guy went sight seeing" defense, I'd appreciate that, too. Yes, it had to be my wife's cherished computer, that one she always could fall back on because it was rock solid and always worked. Just what was I thinking?

If I've killed the motherboard, I will confirm my bruised self-esteem needs to be a bigger bruise, and my better half will, I'm sure, help me retain that for years to come. Help! Thanks in advance!

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

Power the machine on, with the wireless card removed, and press on the SouthBridge (large square chip under the wireless card slot) ...if the machine goes past the IBM splash logo, that's your culprit...if that turns out to be the case...

You could have it professionally re-balled, or swap the planar altogether.

Good luck.

[wallter]

Thank you, ajkula66. Indeed, after removing the wireless card and pressing the SouthBridge, I was able to get past the flash screen, even into the BIOS to re-set the time, and then made it as far as the sign in screen to XP. I very much appreciate your help. But can you explain to me what is involved in having it "professionally re-balled, or swapping the planar altogether." Thanks again.

[ajkula66]

"Swapping the planar" = replacing the motherboard.

Re-balling is a process in which a BGA chip gets removed from the board, all the solder balls are replaced (several hundred of them), and then put back on the board...this is a *very*simplified explanation, the process itself requires professional equipment to monitor the heating involved, and positioning of the balls...

[wallter]

If something of apparent interest occurs during my next efforts, I will pass it along. In the meantime, sir, thank you for your patient help.