t43p fails to get past POST

[Blzut3]

I have a thinkpad T43p which for a while had a problem with spontaneous lock ups which could be solved by slightly flexing the case. Just recently, however, the laptop is failing to proceed from the POST. (Screen is on and displays the Thinkpad logo properly.) There are no error code and we are unable to access the bios.

One thing to note is that the keyboard is only partially functional with the left ctrl button broken and the right mouse button broken, so maybe the keyboard is throwing an error? The USB was also intermittent.

We've tried changing the memory modules with no success, so bad memory is ruled out. That leaves us to conclude either the processor or the system board is bad. The flexing would indicate it's probably the latter, but the board is not cracked upon examination (and I would assume the screen would be garbled or blank if this was the case). So I was wondering if anyone would have any suggestions on where to go from here?

[GomJabbar]

Might be relevant. Southbridge chip might need reballing.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=79901

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southbridge_(computing)

[Blzut3]

The symptoms do seem to match exactly. Of course I'm not sure off hand where I could get the south bridge reballed. Apparently GPU Medics reputation has been trashed since when that thread was made.

[RealBlackStuff]

Help is imminent!
Check my signature.

[poshgeordie]

RealBlackStuff beat me to it!

[Blzut3]

Thanks. I'll send a PM once I can get the FRU number and if the local electronics repair shop is unable to do it (which I have a feeling they can't).

[poshgeordie]

If possible could you stop your repair shop from doing anything including especially trying to heat the chip with a hotair gun.

I'm receiving too many boards at the moment where this has failed and we end up not being able to repair them because of associated board damage.