T41p doesn't boot into XP

[achat_2]

Hi All,

I have a T41p that I rarely use now, but never gave me an issue when it was my primary laptop for about 3 years.

Few months ago I have checked on it 1 Giga RAM I bought used, for another laptop, for the easy to access the slot underneath.
Everything was fine, the RAM was ok, and the system booted up.

Today I tried to boot it up (the DIMM was still inside) and it stops at the IBM logo, no sound at all.
It just checks the CD drive and nothing more.

I tried to remove the additional RAM but nothing changed.

I tried to entire into the BIOS and it gives me an error of "Check date and time settings".

Any idea?
What should I do?

It actually has a noisy fan, but it never prevented it from booting into Windows.

A

[Neil]

Looks to me like you need to replace the CMOS battery.

[achat_2]

Looks to me like you need to replace the CMOS battery.

Is it easy? Where do I buy a CMOS battery?
Edit: just realized this is the thinkpad impossible to open for a blocked screw....

What if I try to insert the correct date?

A.

[Neil]

Try it. As long as you have power connected it should keep the settings, but when you power down with a dead CMOS battery it will loose all settings.

BTW, Only the palm rest needs to be removed to get at the CMOS battery.

[achat_2]

Try it. As long as you have power connected it should keep the settings, but when you power down with a dead CMOS battery it will loose all settings.

BTW, Only the palm rest needs to be removed to get at the CMOS battery.

Ok, with the correct date inserted manually it booted up.
Thanks!

The screw I can't remove is the one to remove the keyboard.
I don't think I can remove the palm rest without removing that screw, isn't it?

A.

[RealBlackStuff]

Use a drill to gently drill away the head of the 'stuck' screw.
Then remove the other screws that hold the keyboard and the palmrest.
Remove keyboard and palmrest.
The screw without head will come out, attached to where it got stuck.
Use a pair of pliers to remove the rest of that screw.
Don't force anything, and DO NOT BEND the screw-rest, otherwise you might break off the screw-stud!

[achat_2]

I could try but I rarely use this laptop, maybe I will consider just inserting the date each time I need it.
BTW thanks for the detailed instructions.

A.

Use a drill to gently drill away the head of the 'stuck' screw.
Then remove the other screws that hold the keyboard and the palmrest.
Remove keyboard and palmrest.
The screw without head will come out, attached to where it got stuck.
Use a pair of pliers to remove the rest of that screw.
Don't force anything, and DO NOT BEND the screw-rest, otherwise you might break off the screw-stud!

[Neil]

All the more reason to try and repair it. You've got nothing to loose, and only a little time to invest.

[achat_2]

All the more reason to try and repair it. You've got nothing to loose, and only a little time to invest.

I am scared to destroy it and I don't have the necessary driller... I should buy one.
BTW, I kept the laptop on sleep connected to power for the last 12 hours, and now it boots normally,
does it mean the battery it is still not gone as supposed?

A.

[systemBuilder]

The screw I can't remove is the one to remove the keyboard.
I don't think I can remove the palm rest without removing that screw, isn't it?
A.

There are FOUR screws to remove the keyboard, they each have a picture of a little tiny keyboard on the back. If you cannot find them all, then look at keyboards for sale on ebay and you will see where the holes should be on the bottom of your thinkpad case.

CMOS batteries are more or less standard and you might even be able to get one at Fry's but you could always search for "T40 battery" and find one. They are a coin cell covered in yellow plastic with 2 leads coming out and going into a tiny 2-hole white connector. Just take off the keyboard and I think you can unplug the old battery and reinstall the old battery.

I have had troublesome screws on several laptops but the problem turns out almost always to happen because of inferior micro-precision screwdrivers, try buying a $15-$20 set of screwdrivers not made in China for a much happier repair experience (Try Sears Craftsman!)

[rkawakami]

@systemBuilder

Please note the location of the OP. I doubt he has a Fry's or Sears nearby.