T40 won't boot after memory install.

[bgr]

T40 turns on won't boot
Hi, I'm a new member. Hope to benefit from all the expert help here.
I have a T40 2373 - 4CU which was working fine.. I purchased new PNY 1 gb DDR 2700 memory and installed following IBM repair instructions in the back extra memory slot which was empty. 512 mb factory DDR 2100 memory was under the keyboard. When I turn the computer on now, the power leds light up and the fan runs, but none of the boot messages come up. If I press IBM button to enter BIOS set up, nothing happens and nothing appears on the screen. After I removed the new memory, the same problems still occurr.
Techs at PNY told me that the backup battery could be bad. I don't see how, but I have replaced it anyway. Same symptoms on startup and no access to BIOS. Any suggestions?
Another question, If I get a modem or WIFI card with a part number listed as firtting a T40 later than mine, my computer be modified to accept it or will I get a 1803 fault message?
Thanks, BG

[BillMorrow]

its very unlikely that the "backup battery" (i think they, or you, mean the C<OS battery) is the culprit..

FWIW here are the memory spect for your T40:

•64-bit Double Data Rate (DDR) non-parity SDRAM memory
•PC2100 at 266MHz
•Two 200 pin SO-DIMM memory slots, one slot is pre-populated with 256MB or 512MB, leaving one socket available
•Supports up to two 1GB SDRAM SO DIMMs
•Supports maximum memory up to 2GB

from here: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... -58185#exp

make sure the new memory conforms to this spec..

[bgr]

Thank you Bill. The memory I got did meet those specs, but it is out no and the system only has the original memory in it. I am still having the problem as described, though it was running fine before. A new backup battery has been installed with no change. Are there any things I should be doing after replacing the back up battery. I can't get into the BIOS when I push the Access IBM button right after pushing the on button, so I don't think I could enter any clock update info anyway. BG

[Harryc]

I don't think we're getting the entire story here. Did you pull the main battery and pull the AC plug prior to installing the new memory module?

[bgr]

I agree, the result does not match the action I thought I was taking. I know that the ac power was disconnected for certain. I was following the IBM manual, which shows removal of the memory cover and memory install with the main battery removed, so I believe that I did remove the battery, but one can always screw up, and I am not certain 100 per cent the battery was removed. Is there a basic test I can do to the motherboard to see if it is functional ? Thanks, BG

[rkawakami]

Basic motherboard/system test for Thinkpads which do NOT have on-board memory (like the T40):

- Remove all easily detachable hardware from the system except the CPU: memory, hard drive, battery, Ultrabay, MiniPCI, ethernet, modem, USB, PCMCIA, etc.
- Plug in a known working AC adapter and power up the system.
- It should generate the beep code for missing/bad memory: 1 short beep, pause, 3 short beeps, pause, 3 short beeps, pause, 1 short beep (typically referred here as 1-3-3-1).

That typically means that the motherboard is functional enough to boot an OS. If it does NOT give you the 1-3-3-1 beep code, then that means there's a power problem (try another AC adapter; verify that another Thinkpad works from the adapter) or the motherboard is kaput. Assuming that you do get the 1-3-3-1 beep code:

- Power off the system and re-install ONE memory module.
- Re-start the system and if you get the IBM splash screen and can access the BIOS (press the F1 key when indicated on the screen), then you know that the motherboard is mostly functional and that the memory is probably good.
- If that works, then power-off the system and move the memory module to the second slot.
- Re-start the system and if it again boots properly, then you can be assured that both memory slots are functional and that particular module is good.
- Since you have two modules, verify that the second works in both memory slots by repeating the preceding steps. After doing this, you'll know if there's a problem with a bad memory slot or a bad module.
- Assuming that both modules work and both memory slots are functional, then your original non-boot condition is related to something else.

If the system does NOT give you the 1-3-3-1 error when you install a memory module but nothing still appears on the screen, then power off, connect an external monitor to the VGA port and re-start the system. There's a possibility that the LCD is having problems (bad backlight, bad inverter board, GPU problems, etc.). When an external monitor is connected and the system booted, you may have to press the Fn+F7 key combination one or two times to activate the external monitor.

[bgr]

Thanks, Ron. I'll give it a shot and report back.

[bgr]

I tried booting the T40 with all accessories out and no ram installed. Complete silence and no beep codes at all. I assume that the motherboard has been damaged, am I correct? Anything else to check? Thanks BG

[acl]

Did you ever find out anything with your computer. I am having the exact same problem. Thanks

[KRAZY KEV]

my advice to any person who intends on upgrading the memory regardless of system type is to purchase the memory from CRUCIAL. download their upgrade adviser tool and run it to find out what type of memory is needed. i have just maxed out the memory on my t43 and i had no problems at all. crucial memory is garenteed to work on the system it is ordered for and has a lifetime warranty.
i also upgraded from windows xp pro to windows 7 ultimate (32bit) and the laptop is running like a dream. it is just as fast maybe a bit faster than xp. my advice is to always max out the memory. 3gb on 32bit systems or whatever your system will take on 64bit systems

[RealBlackStuff]

The problem with Crucial (and other RAM suppliers) is, that they do not have up-to-date info about the max. RAM for all models.
The forum is a much better source for that.
They tell you a T61/R61/X61 can only take 4GB, in reality it can take 8GB.
IBM/Lenovo never bothered to change the specs (and manuals) as memory development produced larger RAM modules than available at time of printing.