T40 won't boot up, loose GPU problem?

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spune · #1 Post by **spune** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 8:59 pm

I bought my T40 used on Ebay. The minute I received the notebook, I took apart the CPU heat sink and applied some AS5 thermal paste. I noticed there was a thick piece of paper between the GPU chip and the keyboard. I didn't know what it was so I removed it.

Every once in a while when the laptop was moved, the screen would turn black. After a hard shutdown and powering it back up, the screen would stay black for about 5 minutes. It would not boot up. I usually just let it power off for 15 minutes and it boots up fine again.

Do I have that infamous loose GPU problem? I put the thick piece of paper between the GPU and keyboard back again and we'll see if this fixes the problem.

#2 Post by **richk** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:06 pm

You have the problem. It will get worse with time. Try to return the machine to the seller.

spune · #3 Post by **spune** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:15 pm

richk wrote:You have the problem. It will get worse with time. Try to return the machine to the seller.

How bad will it get? I don't mind having the paper between the GPU and keyboard if it fixes the problem.

jargoone · #4 Post by **jargoone** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:14 pm

You'll only know by trying it out. If you bought it as-is, ride it out. If you have a warranty, get your money back.

You can try a repair yourself by attempting to reflow the solder with a heat gun. See the "My T42 freezes..." sticky.

The Spirit of X21 · #5 Post by **The Spirit of X21** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:54 pm

I would try to get my money back if I were you. Applying pressure to the GPU can bring the broken solder back together, but the problem only becomes worse over time, so the paper is a temporary fix at best. Reflowing the solder or buying a new planar board is the only way to fix that machine.

spune · #6 Post by **spune** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 12:20 am

Man that really sucks. I got the laptop for a good deal too. I don't think the seller will take the laptop back since it's over 2 weeks old; plus the shipping isn't cheap either. I may try to just sell it on Craigslist.

Is the loose GPU solder a defect with this model, or is it due to poor care for the laptop? If I do end up selling this laptop, I'll need to find another used T4x series laptop.

bobditty · #7 Post by **bobditty** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 3:14 pm

Do these issues happen on the T41's as well? Trying to decide betweena T40p and T41.

sktn77a · #8 Post by **sktn77a** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:37 pm

Yep, T40, T41 and T42 (and probably T43 also). Apparently, the design was changed in the T6x series because of this.

I would tell the seller it's taken this long to trace the problem to a defective motherboard and you want a refund! I hope you didn't leave feedback yet (?)

T40 won't boot up, loose GPU problem?

T40 won't boot up, loose GPU problem?

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