T22 w/ dead motherboard, what to do?

[seahawk]

I have a t22 that has just been diagnosed by a local pc repair place as having a dead motherboard. The unit has been great up until now, and I would rather repair it than look for a replacement.

Although I am not very experienced in computer repair, I have taken it apart to replace the palm rest. I am pretty handy, so what all would be involved in replacing the motherboard?

Is this a possibility for a component upgrade? Is it possible/advantageous to use a T23 motherboard?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Ben

[Phazer]

Get/download a copy of the HMM, (Hardware Maintenance Manual). If you've replaced a palmrest, you were 2/3 of the way there.

No, a T23 mobo will not fit, only T20-21-22. BTW, all of these seem at one time or another, suffer from a bad mobo, plenty of topics on this.

If you get a different series board, (say...a T20), than what was in there, you can change the "model" number by using the HMD, (Hardware Maintenance Disk). Again, there is one or two topics about this.

[goofyGAguy]

Here is the link to the T2x Hardware Maintenance Manual; this will give you instructions for disassembly of your T22:


http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4UYM3F

[tfflivemb2]

What are the symptoms of your "dead" motherboard?

Sometimes computer repair shops thinlk that the easier solution is to just replace the systemboard when it might be something else.

[seahawk]

When I turn it on, all of the lights just blink once and then nothing, except the power light remains on and it sounds like the HDD is still spinning.

Before she quit powering up all together, I could give it a good whack on the bottom of the unit, and it would power up (which leads me to believe there's a crack in the mobo somewhere). Also, when I would shut down Windows, it would get to the "windows is shutting down" screen and then freeze up.

The repair place switched memory, CMOS battery, and a couple of other things. At least they only charged me $10.

I'm eyeing a "new" mobo on ebay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0227496479

Any other thoughts/suggestions? Thanks for the help so far!

Moderator edit: Shortened URL to prevent horizontal scrolling

[Harryc]

If you smack it, and it starts working, the problem is most likely a loose inductor. If it is, it can be fixed with basic soldering skills.

See this thread.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... t=inductor

[phool@round]

If you smack it......

Mr. Soft Touch......

I prefer to shake the crap out of em myself......and if I hear rattling inside the case - it's a loose inductor.

Which ever method, it's sure to relieve stress......

[seahawk]

I disassembled the unit today and removed the motherboard. I looked for signs of corrosion like some indicated in the other thread, but didn't see any. I did notice that the mobo seems to be warped a bit due to flexing of the bottom unit, (which ultimately led to the broken palmrest). I tried powering up the unit while flexing the mobo "back" into place, but no difference.

I ordered a working mobo from ebay today, so that should arrive in a few days.

Ben

[Phazer]

I've had a couple of T23's that cracked the palmrest and broke the rear tab off the drivebay cage. It was in my estimation to be caused by "VERY" stiff LCD hinges. I've got a T22 but the daughter has it so I can't remember the layout but I think it would be very similar.

[seahawk]

Installed the new motherboard today, and every thing is working great.

I had set the date and time in BIOS, and then it booted right up.

My only problem at this point is that the LCD screen now has several light spots. Could this be in part to the new motherboard, or did I damage the screen with assembly/disassembly?