T42 Will Not Turn on

[gred]

Hi everyone, I've been a lurker in the forums for a little while now and I've found it to be an amazing source of info and an even better community.

Unfortunately, today I have encountered my first problems EVER with my T42 (2378-FZU) that I purchased approximately in June 2004. The warranty has expired, and I've searched the forum pretty much the whole day for solutions and or information from users with similar problems.

I was using it without problem at approx. 3pm today. Packed it up, went to class from 4-5pm. Came back, tried to fire it up again, and nothing happens. I hear the fan spin up to speed, battery light on, along with the sort of zig-zag symbol. I noticed the HD not spin up as per usual, and absolutely nothing happens with the LCD - no IBM bootup screen, nothing. I have tried different HDs, they are not the problem (all work fine in my enclosure. I have tried w/battery, without. Tried letting it sit for several hours without battery to no avail. I took out my extra stick of ram I placed in it and nothing either. I haven't tried taking out the ram under the keyboard yet, but from all the posts and threads that I've read, I'm led to believe that my mainboard is gone.

If anyone could give me some more ideas, and maybe some tips on what I can and can't do, that would be greatly appreciated. At this point, I'm considering getting that additional warranty if my machine is still eligible, and simply sending it in to get it repaired. I am in Canada, so I'm not sure if the procedure is the same as in the US.

I've loved my T42, and I hate to see it go out like this

[Troels]

Did anything happen when you wore it? Did you at any point wear it with one hand?

[richk]

Take the memory out under the keyboard and try with the other stick in the main slot alone and then only in the other slot.

[gred]

Did anything happen when you wore it? Did you at any point wear it with one hand?

- No. I shut it down and placed it in my laptop backpack as per usual. Didn't hold it with one hand at all. Thats the most frustrating thing, at least I'd know what went wrong, if I dropped it, or flexed it somehow.

Take the memory out under the keyboard and try with the other stick in the main slot alone and then only in the other slot.

- Will do that tonight, thanks for the suggestion.

[mitchellst]

Sounds like your motherboard... I'd get try to extend your warranty if you can, although I'm not sure if you can or not.

[kangazoom]

that is scary.
how long does it take for the motherboard to wear out, typically?

[mitchellst]

Just depends. Might last 7 years... might last 2 months. It depends on a lot of things.

[gred]

Yep, so the RAM swap didn't work and using an external monitor didn't work either. Looks like its gone.

I asked a friend about options, and he said usually the availability for extended warranty is limited to 30 days after original warranty expires. Now I asked him if I could purchase the mainboard on its own and install it myself, but he wasn't sure. Could anyone shed some light on that? I'm going to guess it's not possible unless he can get a hookup...

[dyoes]

Yeh the boards toast most likey, Did yours have the ATI 7500 32mb video? Just seems like 90% of peoples T4X mobos going have the 7500. Havent heard any that has the 128mb video going.

You can look at this as an opportunity to upgrade the mobo...

Dan

[gred]

Definitely was the 7500. I'm pretty much now debating whether its worth getting the new mobo... or just picking up a new T60.

I would be less reluctant to pick up the T60 if I hadn't upgraded my T42 4 months ago (2gb ram and 100gb 7200rpm hitachi).