T40 doesn't recognize USB ports

[n2rj]

Hi, first post but I've been lurking.

I had the USB problem on my T40 (2373-92U) where it would only recognize the ports as 1.1 and intermittently as 2.0.

I had initially thought it was software. However, I wasn't quite convinced since it worked intermittently. So I proceeded to poke around inside. Tried cleaning the USB connector but to no avail.

I then pressed down on the southbridge chip, booted the PC from a fresh boot, then tried a couple of USB 2.0 peripherals (Sandisk cruzer thumb drive, PCTV HDTV tuner) and they worked. When I released pressure on the southbridge, after about 5 minutes the symptoms reappeared - quick connect/disconnect sound in windows XP and the message that "this device can perform faster."

So I went ahead and reflowed the southbridge chip with a heat gun. Let it cool, rebooted, boot sequence started up, but upon login the laptop went into BSOD and rebooted itself. It rebooted successfuly the second time. After it finished booting I tried my USB 2.0 peripherals and they worked just fine, including my PCTV 800e HDTV tuner stick.

So at least in my case it was the southbridge.

It may initially look like software because once the ports fall back to 1.1 there is no going back to 2.0 unless the disconnected pads on the southbridge are reconnected (actually they aren't fully disconnected, they just have higher resistance) AND you reboot the machine.

This coincidentally happened after I installed SP2 but that may just be coincidence. I think it's just that the age of the T40 was old enough for the USB problem to occur when MSFT released SP2.

My XP pro install incidentally is from a retail CD (but I've applied the OEM key to it).

Cheers,
Ryan

[beeblebrox]

Thanks for the good advice on the southbridge.

Only yesterday I experienced the same problem with an R50, watching hours of youtube video (WLAN on). Then USB 2.0 was dead. It seems that it is a design flaw of IBM, the hot southbridge is underneath the very hot WLAN card.
That kills the southbridge like the GPU.

However, following your advice I pushed with the finger on teh southbridge and... yep!
USB 2.0 works flawless. Release finger... USB 2.0 is dead and warning message.

Since I have extensive experience reflowing the GPU I think today is a good day to test the reflow on the southbridge. The chips look physically very identical, so I guess it should not be a problem.

I'll keep you updated about the results.

BTW: Does anybody know how I can reflow the norhtbridge? It is too large with the higher balls so that the flux doesn't hold due to capillary force. I have not succeeded in reflowing it so far and need a goot hint how to do it properly!!

[papollonia]

I just ran across the thread....
I think my usb port seem to go bad the minute i got a upgrade smart phone...
The ports on the docking station work great, but the t40 ports seem give me problem...
Seems that any device that pulls power from the t40 will not work!!I
am not good at Soldering...
i may just go the PCMIA USB port route

[aki]

ok i think i join the usb-team here as well.
at the first, i got the prob so i uninstall the drivers in Device Manager. It worked few days, then it came back to usb 1.1. I used to boot linux from USB and when it doesnt recognize the usb, i just pull out and in. after few times it worked.

Now i think usb is 100% 1.1, no more 2.0. Could you guys plz post the pic that point out the southbridge in mobo? maybe i can open it later and try that. . right, i have t40p as well.


cheers

[cs98sss4]

I had a similar problem with my T41p usb downgrading to 1.1 speeds.
Machine was in warranty at the time called up and rep said to send it in for mobo replacement.
Since then I have no USB problems and no GFX probs always handle it with 2 hands to lessen the flex.
Personally I think IBM/Lenovo know the problem and have fixed it with new motherboards.

[iambtk]

bless...

[Beaver]

Personally I think IBM/Lenovo know the problem and have fixed it with new motherboards.

Yes they did. But the new boards will suffer from same problem after some time. Most probably it's caused by the WLAN card heat as suggested by beeblebrox. Reflowing and fixing with some epoxy maybe help (will be tested on my machine very soon I think ).

[cs98sss4]

I disagree to the WLAN heat causing it, I've used my t41p since mobo replacement in 2007 its still perfectly stable and reliable.

[Beaver]

I disagree to the WLAN heat causing it, I've used my t41p since mobo replacement in 2007 its still perfectly stable and reliable.

Please remember this answer for the future as this can happen after next 1-3 years, but also you can be the chosen one with perfectly soldered in chipset and so you will not fight this problem again. But the others maybe will.

[MTyn]

My T40p thought also in USB 1.1. Also the WiFi card had problems but after a resolder job all probs are gone. Its worth the money!

Good luck.

[Olivier]

Hi all,
I did an oven reflow not long ago concerning the GPU and all good now.
THe USB was working interminently, USB1 then USB2 and vice versa. Now its back to the dreaded USB1...
Can anyone send me a picture of the southbridge chip? Or where/ what I should re-solder?
I haven't got a clue where I should press as stated n some post above and put some heat with a heat gun.
Thank you
Olivier

Just now I am again on USB2
then while typing this there was a ding dong, like a device got connected, but it was there all along, and I am back on USB1. Aarrrghhh!!!! Bugger.

[RealBlackStuff]

If you remove the wifi card, you'll see a big Intel chip under where the card was.
That's the Southbridge, you can't miss it.
Check all around the edges of that chip; if it has colored "dots" (red/black/green/orange) it is repairable.
If there is what looks like clear glue all around, you're out of luck.
Having 'baked' your motherboard already, it is no longer fixable with a professional reballing.
FYI: that Southbridga has ca. 650 solder balls underneath it.
If one or more balls become "unstuck" (and that's what 'flexing' does), that's enough to cause all sorts of mayhem.
Fiddling with this is not really something to be done by a bloody amateur...

[Olivier]

Thanks for the reply, I look at it. I baked it but it was tin foiled all over, like a turkey, beside the GPU area.
Just like to say why the rant about " a bloody amateur"
this is why those forums exist, to help everyone, nope, or am I my missing something there too
At least I now know where to look and I thank you for that.
Its going to be heat gun soon as I am not going to bake it anymore in case it disrupt the GPU...
All the best.
Olivier

[RealBlackStuff]

After all the horror stories of people baking their failing mobos without any improvement, and perhaps 3-4 people who had some (temporary) success, it should be clear that this should be left to the professionals.
I have not been able to find a single reliable company in the whole of the USA, that is willing to make such repairs, let alone at a reasonable price (~$50-70).
Come to think of it, even the one un-reliable company (Superior Reball, a.k.a. GPU Medics) has gone out of business.
The only reliable Reballing Service I have ever found, is Nick Paton's (forum member poshgeordie) www.ReflowRepairs.com, who is unfortunately (for us in the USA) in the UK (Newcastle).
Rising shipping costs between UK and USA have made it impossible to offer that reballing service at an acceptable cost.
You, being at least on the same island, have it a lot easier than us.
However, your DIY baking will probably make it impossible to still have your mobo fixed by them. Try it anyway.

Long story to justify the adjective I used...

[Olivier]

Cheers.
The only thing is that those are obsolete.
Slow IDE HDD, small memory capacity, screen very basic, prone to break as the MB flex etc... this made them not profitable to be repaired to my opinion.
Its faulty, then I will do what I can to repair it at the minimum cost, also there is no money here anyway. If it crash, well, it was already broken anyway. Investing on those repairs would be like repairing an old CRT TV, paying 100 for it to be put back to life, but it'll be money wasted as no one want them anymore and you get a lot more TV for your bucks now. Same with laptop. Or tablet and so on.
This is why. If its gone, wel, I can sell the screen/ memory/ HDD and get a bit of money out of it
I agree with Nick work tho, I saw his video and I am sure he's great, I was impressed.
All the best.
Olivier

[Olivier]

Just openned the beast. The chip is next to the GPU
If I knew this I would have left it clear of foil in the oven
This is really close to do another attempt... Bugger...
I thought it was next to the USB as sometimes when I wiggle the usb I got no message, not sure about the speed tho. Again now I was downloading a "large ish" file, took too long, but again on the process there was a "dingdong" like when I connect a USB, then the message appeared ( slow USB) and the download failed. How can I check the transfer speed?
I might have 2 issues here, the south bridge and the usb connectivity?
or it is normal when the south bridge is not good that the connection get lost for no reason and start again?
Cheers.

[ajkula66]

SouthBridge controls USB ports, as well as numerous other functions...

[Olivier]

Hi All,
This is defenitly the South Bridge.
I borrowed a heat gun and cooked the hell as I could the SB, but it was still showing some problems ( USB1 only!) Wot a pain...
After 3 attemps to reball the Mother F@"%*£ board with a heat gun, dissassembling it, put it back together etc... Oh the pain... It was still showing the dreaded message once heating up... USB1. Aargghhh!!! As someone suggesting testing the bugger by pressing the SB, I did it and the USB worked great... I am now running the beast with an Oring between the WIFI card and an extra rubber between the keyboard and the WIFI card. THis put all the pressure on the SB. So far so good. The USB show no sign of errors...
Been an hour... Woohoo!!!
Tomorrow will tell if its still operational USB2?

[Olivier]

OK, the laptop went from not too good to FUBAR!
Didn't like the washers/ Oring putting pressure on the board for too long. After awhile it just turn itself off and I couldn't start it anymore
I , once again, openned it, and use the heat gun longer this time. The heat gun is rated 300 degres. At this point of time I didn't give a [censored]. Ca passe ou ca casse.
Its now working perectly USB 2 and all
But for how long
I guess it'll be OK untill I move it and a little teeny flex will again play havoc with the MB/GPU/SB

Olivier

[seaweedsl]

I want to point out that there are two possibly different USB issues and the OP may have a different one from those who showed up later with more clearly hardware issues.

For those with USB problems that may be software based, see this thread and check my rundown of solutions I found towards the end of it.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=42200

[flipteo]

Just wanted to put in the good word for the pcmcia card option. My ports stopped working in 2.0, and eventually, stopped working altogether. Totally dead now. Anyway, one of these cards gave my T42 an extended life.

I got one of the ones that sit flush with the edge - nothing sticking out - like this one:
http://www.amazon.ca/2-Port-PCMCIA-Card ... 750&sr=8-1

You just pop it in, and bingo, you've got usb 2.0 again.