Possibly bricked T43p?

[Draco.red]

I've recently gotten a used Thinkpad t43p laptop (type 6287). I started it up and it worked all evening and I then shut it down. When I went to work on it the next morning it's completely dead. No light indicating that it's plugged into the AC adapter (which I've confirmed is working), no power light or hard deice spin up, just nothing. I then tried the "unplug AC and battery, press power 10 times and then hold power down for 30 sec". When I plugged back into AC, there was still nothing; however when I plugged the battery back in and presses the power button the battery light flashed green/orange for a moment (less then half a second), after which it's completely unresponsive. I also have a dock for the Thinkpad, and it won't turn on when getting power from it ether. The only way I can get any response is to repeat the press power button and insert battery process, and then all I get the the flash of green/orange battery light. I've taken it apart and tried booting it without any peripherals (CD drive, HDD, and wifi and modem daughter cards removed), reseated the RAM, tried replacing the RAM. I've even reseated the CPU, but nothing makes any difference. Does anyone have any constructive suggestions as to how to fix it?

[Harryc]

I'd probably take it down to the systemboard and check fuses. There are several threads here on fuse location etc. Try a forum search on T43 fuse or fuses. As an example - http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=72861
This is not a 'fun' activity unless your like to do it (I do), so return the machine if you can as a first choice. Here's a link to the maintenance manual for that machine if you decide to go there -
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-58791

[Draco.red]

I've just finished checking all the fuses, and they all checked out alright (except for F13 which wasn't present or marked, probably different HW revision on this board). The quick flash on the battery light seems to suggest a capacitor in my mind, but I've got no idea where to start troubleshooting that. When I had the systemboard out I did find what looks and smells suspiciously like dried coffee on the board, which probably explains why I was given it for free.

On the plus side Fed-Ex just dropped off a new battery for the thinkpad - the previous owner never filed for the recall replacement. But without a working thinkpad to go with it it's sort of a moot point.

[Harryc]

Coffee eh...here's what I'd do. Get some distilled water and give the board a bath in it, brushing lightly with a soft bristle brush. Take it out of the bath, then give it another bath in isopropyl alcohol, same soft brush. Take it out and dry it thoroughly with a hair dryer for an hour or so. Even when it looks like it is dry, keep going. Let it sit in a dry/warm place for a day, then reassemble the machine.

[Draco.red]

Sorry that it took so long to get back to you; I just reassembled the laptop and there's no change. The battery light just flashes when the power button is pressed, then nothing. Anyone have any other ideas?

[Harryc]

Replace the systemboard.

[Draco.red]

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of.

[Brad]

Sorry to hear of your trouble.

I sent a PM with a couple of options.

Brad