T40 power lights just flickering . . . . .

[rxtech27]

Howdy folks,

Glad to find a resource to ask all my Thinkpad questions. Well, the other day I plugged in my USB drive and it shut my laptop off. I tried plugging back the battery after removing it for an hour and no luck. It has the flicker on the panel where indicates the power and wireless on the top of the laptop. I am stuck and do not know what I have to do in order to revive this laptop. Please help!! Thanks in advanced!!

--Rxtech27

[Danny Manabat]

the same thing happened to me.

at that time, i was using a 4-port usb expander and then i plugged the usb hard drive into one of the ports in the usb expander. i plugged the mouse in the other usb slot in my thinkpad.

then my t42 just shut down, i mean just shut off right in the middle of what i was doing. i could'nt get it on after that.

so, i removed the AC power plug and let it run on batteries. it turned on and i was able to open windowsxp. but it would not run on AC.

i called tech support since the unit is still on warrany. the tech support concluded that my power supply and/or motherboard could have been burned. (i did not mention that i used a usb 4-port expander)

ibm replaced my motherboard and wifi. now its new, up and running. thanks to ibm.

'hope this experience helps.

this forum is a great site. sometimes 'though, you need to browse thru a lot of discussions to get the info that you want.

[rxtech27]

Thanks Danny!! My T40 is in worst shape than that, I can't even get it to boot up. It just flickers the light panel. My warranty is out with IBM, any idea . . what IBM could for me then???

[Eric Giles]

Thanks Danny!! My T40 is in worst shape than that, I can't even get it to boot up. It just flickers the light panel. My warranty is out with IBM, any idea . . what IBM could for me then???

Sorry to have to say it-but since IBM finds every excuse in the book to not repair laptops that are still in warranty, you can rest assured they won't do anything for one out of warranty.

Find my thread in the General forum that is a few below this one, and read my thread I started about EZServ problems with my T40. There are others there too, and its very disheartening to hear how loyal Thinkpad customers are being treated.

[Danny Manabat]

i think you can:

1. look for a motherboard at ebay, or buy the motherboard from IBM. then replace it yourself. this is a DIY project.

2. ask IBM how much and let them replace it.

i've seen T40's at very low prices at websites. You may want to just buy another and sell the busted T40 as defective unit. At least you get something out of it.

i would want to open a broken T40 but my job ties me up and does not give me that luxury.

have you tried opening and turning on with just the batteries?

[Danny Manabat]

To Eric Giles -

I'm sorry that you may have had sad experience in Tech Support.

I bought my unit from the Philippines. But I am here now working in Kuala Lumpur. My T42 has a 3-year international warranty.

When my T42's power supply and board were burned, I reported to Tech Support here in IBM Malaysia. They received my unit, let me filled-up a form. Two (2) days later IBM called me and informed that my unit is ready.

IBM replaced the motherboard and AC power supply brick.

After a week, I called back to IBM and told them that I was not happy with the performance of my wireless and suspect that it could be burned out too. IBM asked me to bring in the unit and they replaced my wifi. Again no hassle, no questions.

Thanks to IBM.

[Eric Giles]

To Eric Giles -

I'm sorry that you may have had sad experience in Tech Support.

I bought my unit from the Philippines. But I am here now working in Kuala Lumpur. My T42 has a 3-year international warranty.

When my T42's power supply and board were burned, I reported to Tech Support here in IBM Malaysia. They received my unit, let me filled-up a form. Two (2) days later IBM called me and informed that my unit is ready.

IBM replaced the motherboard and AC power supply brick.

After a week, I called back to IBM and told them that I was not happy with the performance of my wireless and suspect that it could be burned out too. IBM asked me to bring in the unit and they replaced my wifi. Again no hassle, no questions.

Thanks to IBM.

Yep, that is how it used to be with their service here in the U.S. also-but things have changed. Maybe I can send my off to IBM Malaysia for service?

[rxtech27]

Yep . . IBM makes their website so difficult to get basic service with warranty and any other support. I will look into your threads and will troubleshoot with the laptop this upcoming weekend. Looks like my laptop is fried . . it doesnt even boot up at all. Weak USB ports = my dead T40. . . looks like I'll be spending the weekend trying to get this fixed and out of here as soon as possible. thanks folks . . ill keep you guys updated.

[Danny Manabat]

Eric -

Kuala Lumpur is a nice place to spend a short vacation!



rxtech27

Keep me informed for your progress ... er, experience. Your experice may happen to us too.


Regards,

[rxtech27]

No problem


I have a 2nd T40 that doesnt startup everytime either and when it does start it freezes during use all the time. So after these T40s get fix or sold; looks like ill have to turn my head away from IBM for good.

[Danny Manabat]

my T42 started to freeze just after bootup. initially, i blamed ibm after they replaced my motherboard and AC brick.

later after much testing, i found out it was the 1GB ram that i added. i bought a defective ram. i sent it back to the shop, which was promptly replaced with another 1GB of the same type. the freezing after bootup is now gone.

[rxtech27]

Wow. . .good to hear. Looks like Ill have to have a "Friday Format Day" where I grab something to eat and just troubleshoot these [censored] computers with several cans of air. Thanks again Danny!!