T43 freezes at the IBM logo screen

[tpadguy2]

My T43 freezes at the IBM logo screen and does not go beyond that. I did little bit of diagnostics and found that the fan in on all the time but the heat sink is getting really hot. Is it normal? I hope I do not have to replace the motherboard. Can someone please help?

[killer]

You will need to access the internet (using another machine) and go to this page:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... rintLenovo

Download the exec 1ety47ww.exe which will enable you to make an ISO file to put on a CD. The CD will then provide you with a bootable DOS version of PC Doctor so you may run diagnostics on the faulty machine.

I hope this helps.

[zdriver]

It could be a number of possibilities including the loose semi detached gpu problem (see T42 shuts down when I move it thread) if it is a ati graphics based thinkpad.
1: What is the warranty status of the T43?
2: Eliminate all the accessories as the cause, remove dvd drive, HD, wifi card, modem, reseat the ram and try to power it up and get past the splash screen.
3: I had a T43 with a bad cardbus/express card assembly that did the same thing as yours, reseat the assembly - remove and reinstall it.
To test for the gpu problem, remove the palmrest and put pressure on the gpu area (probably covered by the end of the long fan heatsink) and power up still applying pressure.

(I don't think you will get diagnostics to load from the cd if you cannot get past the spash screen since currently it is not getting that far in the boot sequence)

[tpadguy2]

Hi zdriver,

It looks like a gpu issue. When I try booting up while applying pressure on it, it seems to work fine.

This T43 out of warranty. Is there a way I could fix it or I need to have a technician look at it?

Thank you

[richk]

If it's this machine, 1871-FWG, it isn't a GPU issue, because that machine has Intel graphics, not ATI. I'm guessing the southbridge chip.

[tpadguy2]

Its an ATI chip. The machine Type is 2668 and Model is 46U.

[DaveG11th]

Hi zdriver,

It looks like a gpu issue....
Is there a way I could fix it or I need to have a technician look at it?

3 stickied threads at the top of this forum (T4X GPU problem..., T42 shuts down...., GUIDE: GPU reflow...) discuss this extensively.

One non-DIY fix is via this board's Jamiphar, another is via Superior Reball (search on this). The former garners nothing but praise, the latter, while much cheaper, has a spotty record.

[zdriver]

As a temporary fix to get you by until you make a repair decision, you could try the ... stack o post it notes strategicly placed under the palmrest to put pressure on the gpu. You will see it mentioned in the threads regarding the gpu problem. I would not recommend it as a long term solution however.