Take a look at our
ThinkPads.com HOME PAGE
For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message

T23 CMOS Battery problem, and possible MB upgrade

T20-T23 Series and T30. NOT for T25-Retro.
Post Reply
Message
Author
Zygmo
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2016 7:59 am
Location: Jacksonville, Arkansas

T23 CMOS Battery problem, and possible MB upgrade

#1 Post by Zygmo » Sat Sep 17, 2016 1:25 pm

Hey Guys. I have a T23 (I think! It is a Pentium III, 2648-6GU.) When it was given to me, it had what I assumed was the original OS, Win XP Pro. However, it was extremely slow. It came with no update software, and did not appear to have a Restore hidden partition. Also, was not keeping the time and date. I have later and much faster laptops, but there is just something about this one: I want to get it working good. It looks very good physically, and these have the reputation of being built like a rock.

So I replaced the CMOS battery, which apparently worked, and finally figured out how to install a fresh WinXP. It would not boot from any CD (Windows or Linux), but would boot from a DVD! I then upgraded the memory to 1G, and replaced the HDD with a 60G Toshiba HDD. Loaded WinXP Pro SP3. Worked great, but then, it started losing the time and date again. I replaced the CMOS battery again, verifying the wires are correct, and the voltage at the end of the plug has a little over 3 volts. It worked for a couple of hours, and then started losing the time and date. Someone online said to leave the computer plugged in for a couple of days to see if that fixes it. It didn't. Won't keep the time and date when unplugged, even a few minutes now....I have to go into the BIOS every time I restart the computer on battery power, even if turning off and right back on.

People say the MB is bad. If no one here can tell me otherwise, or how to fix it, I might replace the board. (They are available online for $30) My question is....can a later board be installed in this case as an upgrade? And if so, will the 133 Memory work on the later board?

Thanks.
Dean

ajkula66
SuperUserGeorge
SuperUserGeorge
Posts: 17303
Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:28 am
Location: Belgrade, Serbia

Re: T23 CMOS Battery problem, and possible MB upgrade

#2 Post by ajkula66 » Sat Sep 17, 2016 3:24 pm

Welcome to the forum!
Zygmo wrote:
People say the MB is bad. If no one here can tell me otherwise, or how to fix it, I might replace the board. (They are available online for $30)
I'd tend to agree, but the real question is how annoying do you find this problem to be? You could leave the system on 24/7/365 just turning the LCD off...that's what I would do anyway.

Your machine as it left the factory:

Code: Select all

2648-6GU	PIII-M 1.0GHz (512KB), 256MB RAM, 20.0GB HDD, 14.1 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 8x-3.3 DVD-ROM, Modem(MPCI), Ethernet(CDC), WinXP Pro
A fairly basic T23, but definitely worth keeping if it's in good physical condition. IMO, that is.
My question is....can a later board be installed in this case as an upgrade?
No.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

One FlexView to rule them all: A31p

Abused daily: T520, X200s


PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.

Zygmo
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2016 7:59 am
Location: Jacksonville, Arkansas

Re: T23 CMOS Battery problem, and possible MB upgrade

#3 Post by Zygmo » Sat Sep 17, 2016 5:41 pm

Thanks, George. I didn't think a later MB could be used, but it didn't hurt to ask someone who knows for sure. As far as how aggravating the time/date problem is....it's not too big a deal, but enough for me to eventually buy that MB replacement. I am one of those guys who can put up with software bugs: I usually don't know how to fix those anyway. But if it's a hardware problem and I can fix it....I want to. Back in the day when I had 57 Chevy Hot Rods, I would work all week, come home and spend all weekend pulling the engine out of one of them just to clean it up and paint it and put it back in. My smart a__ friends said I ought to put zippers on them. :)

ajkula66
SuperUserGeorge
SuperUserGeorge
Posts: 17303
Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:28 am
Location: Belgrade, Serbia

Re: T23 CMOS Battery problem, and possible MB upgrade

#4 Post by ajkula66 » Sat Sep 17, 2016 6:24 pm

Zygmo wrote: My smart a__ friends said I ought to put zippers on them. :)
I like that... :thumbs-UP:

Anyways, you could probably pick a working barebone T23 in the forum's Marketplace for $30 or so...all you have to do is post a WTB (want to buy) ad and someone might just come to the rescue...
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

One FlexView to rule them all: A31p

Abused daily: T520, X200s


PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.

Zygmo
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2016 7:59 am
Location: Jacksonville, Arkansas

Re: T23 CMOS Battery problem, and possible MB upgrade

#5 Post by Zygmo » Sat Sep 17, 2016 10:13 pm

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks again, George.

Zygmo
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2016 7:59 am
Location: Jacksonville, Arkansas

Re: T23 CMOS Battery problem, and possible MB upgrade

#6 Post by Zygmo » Sun Sep 18, 2016 11:06 pm

Ongoing things! As a last resort I pulled the CMOS battery plug out and made absolutely sure that the wires are positioned correctly in that plug, as I have read some of these have the wrong wire in the wrong place. They are correct, so I decided to quit fooling with this, reinserted the plug, and will just set the date and time whenever I want to use it. The main battery had run down, so I recharged it last night. Started it up this morning, reset the date and time, turned it off and unplugged it. Started it back up a few hours later, and it had kept the date and time!! :eek: Turned it off, restarted it....still keeping the date and time!

Tonight, I started it....no date and time!! LOL I pulled the main battery, pushed and pulled the CMOS battery wires a couple of times, figuring there must be a loose connection somewhere. Set the date and time, restarted....no date and time.

So...would you agree that the problem is probably where the CMOS socket is attached to the board? I have nothing but time and will remove the board to resolder those connections if that is probably where the problem is.

ajkula66
SuperUserGeorge
SuperUserGeorge
Posts: 17303
Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:28 am
Location: Belgrade, Serbia

Re: T23 CMOS Battery problem, and possible MB upgrade

#7 Post by ajkula66 » Sun Sep 18, 2016 11:17 pm

Zygmo wrote: So...would you agree that the problem is probably where the CMOS socket is attached to the board? I have nothing but time and will remove the board to resolder those connections if that is probably where the problem is.
A good cleaning with isopropyl alcohol and compressed air may save you the effort of re-soldering...I'd try that first.

Good luck.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

One FlexView to rule them all: A31p

Abused daily: T520, X200s


PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “ThinkPad T20-T23 & T30 Series. NOT for T25-Retro”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 29 guests