Error Beeps

[fasterbybike]

I have a T43 in for service with a intermittent problems.

On boot up I get the following sequence of beeps:
1 short, pause, 3 short, pause, 4 short, pause, 3 short.

I can't find this sequence in the HMM. Can anybody explain what it is likely to be.

Thanks

David

[ajkula66]

What sequence do you get with RAM entirely removed?

[fasterbybike]

Hi George

I get the std one, three, three one sequence in the HMM.

[rkawakami]

Googling around I see that the 1-3-4-3 sequence appears to be related to the lower section of memory (512KB to 1MB) having a problem. If you have two modules I'd switch them around. If you only have one then try moving it to the other slot. Either way run a complete memory diagnostic:

http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

[ajkula66]

That is confusing.

I assume you've tried removing all the removable stuff, and powering it with adapter only...

I also assume that you've tried the hard reset (press the "power" button ten times in a row, holding it down for 10 seconds each time, and 30 seconds the last time around, after you've removed the battery and drives...then plug the adapter only and fire it up...)

Got nothing to back it up with, but I'd be thinking along the lines of security chip...maybe.

Yes, I do know that the beep code is different...

Do you have another keyboard you could plug in to test?

[fasterbybike]

Thanks Ray

The machine had 1GB in the lower slot. Moving it to the top (under keyboard) slot gives the 3 short, pause, 1 short, pause, 4 short, pause, 3 short sequence.

Testing with a known good 512MB module in the same slot gives the same error. I ran a MEMTEST386+ yesterday with no obvious faults. My guess is that it is a mobo problem (grr).

D

[fasterbybike]

Hi George

I'll try the complete teardown.

What's the theory behind the "try a different keyboard" question ?

D

[ajkula66]

No theory...grasping at straws here...the keyboard or the connection may be defective, so let's rule that one out just in case...