Is my T20 dead?

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duncan · #1 Post by **duncan** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 6:25 am

I can't turn my T20 on! When plugged in the battery/standby indicator lights - displayed on right hinge with lid closed. One of the system status indicators flashes briefly each time I press the power-on button - the left-hand icon like a cylinder with two arrows - but apart from that nothing happens at all. No sound of any fan or disc. I installed a new hdd about 2 years ago...

Any ideas where to start would be much appreciated. Faulty switch? motherboard?

Thanks for any advice.

Website · #2 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 7:44 am

It sounds like the "Blink of Death". You can search this conference for "Blink of Death" and can read up on it.

Many users on here are trying desperately to figure out the cause of said death...

duncan · #3 Post by **duncan** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 10:02 am

Blink of Death? That's sounds bad! Still; where there's a blink there's hope. I shall pursue your lead. Thanks.

ergosteur · #4 Post by **ergosteur** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 12:34 am

I had the blink of death with my T21. cause seemed to be a warped motherboard (no idea how that happened), since leaning on the keyboard area caused the IBM logo to appear and the drive to spin up. I fixed the problem temporarily by completely taking the laptop apart and putting it back together (following the service manual). I also replaced the thermal gel on the CPU. the T21 worked again for a while, but i would get intermittent BSODs. Installing linux bypassed this, but eventually it went dead.

I picked up a new motherboard on ebay for ~75 USD+shipping. assembled it, works great now.

duncan · #5 Post by **duncan** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 4:02 am

Thanks ergosteur, but since originally posting I have progressed a bit. I find laptops small and fiddly so unless compelled to use one [by being on the move etc which these days I am not] I'd much rather have a decent sized keyboard, mouse and screen. so I built another desktop out of old bits which works fine.

My T20 in its present state is pretty much a worthless box of bits [in spite of beefing up the hdd, adding new battery and other stuff over the last couple of years] so I may well bite the bullet and follow your example and stick in a new mob at some stage...

Anyway, thanks again - and have a cool yule!

flashstar · #6 Post by **flashstar** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 1:18 pm

I recommend reflowing the solder if you are going to buy a new motherboard anyway. You just need a heat gun and some tin foil. Basically, you heat up the pcb until the solder on it melts. Even a warped board should work again after reflowing correctly.

phool@round · #7 Post by **phool@round** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:15 pm

duncan wrote:One of the system status indicators flashes briefly each time I press the power-on button -

B.O.D. system. No need to get another board if you have a low Wattage soldering iron around 25-35 Watts. Might have you try something out for me if your interested. Up to you......

flashstar wrote: You just need a heat gun and some tin foil.

Maybe a little overstated eh? That would be equal to using a 105mm Howitzer to drill a 1/4" hole. (Just teasing) Less chance of damage to simply resolder = reflow the existing solder with as little heat as needed for maybe one or two components. If it was a BGA problem then maybe the big guns would be needed.........lol.

Wangstang · #8 Post by **Wangstang** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:23 pm

flashstar wrote:I recommend reflowing the solder if you are going to buy a new motherboard anyway. You just need a heat gun and some tin foil. Basically, you heat up the pcb until the solder on it melts. Even a warped board should work again after reflowing correctly.

Bringing an old thread back to the top, I have a dead T20 exhibiting the same issues described by the thread starter. Is there anywhere that goes into more detail on the reflowing of the solder process?

Thanks
Wes

mordoch · #9 Post by **mordoch** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 3:31 pm

I got the same probs with my T21... the Blink Of Death.
Is there some description of what to do?
solder where? solder what?

Greetings
M

#10 Post by **rkawakami** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 5:27 pm

As far as I know, there's not yet a confirmed fix for a "blink of death" (BOD) issue. Reflowing the motherboard is a risky procedure especially so when you don't even know which part or parts are causing the problem. For detailed explanation on how some people have done a reflow with homebrew equipment and the latest on the BOD, consult these threads:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=33952
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=48835

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