T42 tries to start, but can't

[videojanitor]

Hi folks! This is my first post on this forum, which I found by searching for information about a ThinkPad T42 that I am attempting to diagnose. It is a Type 2373-4WU -- unfortunately, I don't know too much about it beyond that, as it belongs to a family member and I "volunteered" to take a look at it. I'm sure you've been there ...

Anyway, here's the problem -- the thing tries to start up, but it doesn't get very far. On the first press of the power button, the battery light blinks. On the second press, the NUM LOCK, CAPS LOCK, POWER ON, and HIBERATE lights come on, as does the fan -- it runs for about two seconds, and then it shuts down. Pressing the power again results in nothing -- the only way to get it to do this again is to remove the battery and reinsert it.

With the battery removed and connected just to AC power, it will never even attempt to start.

So I guess my first question would be: Should it be able to run without the battery? And if so, should there be an indication that power is being applied? As of this moment, nothing lights when the AC adapter is plugged in -- and I have tried two different adapters (the original, and replacement).

Any advice on how to proceed would be appreciated!

--Bill

[richk]

It will run fine without the battery. In order to get the battery light on, you need battery + AC. The light indicates charging status of the battery. It sounds most likely to be a bad motherboard with a poroblem in the power circuitry.

[Brad]

I would check for warranty at the Lenovo site.

Welcome to the forum!

Brad

[videojanitor]

Thanks for the responses. I had a feeling that there might be more to this than meets the eye. Looks like I'll just be returning this to my brother and letting him deal with it ...