Dead Thinkpad T30

[beekeeper]

Hi everyone, my first post here as just registered and i have a question which i hope someone can help me with.

Recently i aquired a T30 which had been dropped whilst still in its laptop bag so visually it is undamaged and in very good condition.

But it does not boot up other than fan which starts and runs for about 2 seconds then stops, after that unless you pull the battery, an manis lead then reinstall it won't repeat the fan startup and shut down.

I disconnected all cards and drives etc in fact everything except memory, and the fault is still there, however, if i remove the memory module, everything starts up along with the no memory beeps, all the IC's warm up and the processor so i guess i am half way there, refit drives and they all spin up as well.

Have swopped memory module but still the problem remains, does anyone have any idea or is it just a case of replace mobo.

BK

[rkawakami]

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

If you can manage to check your memory modules in another system using a diagnostic program such as memtest86+ or PC Doctor and if they check out working properly, then the fault is probably on the motherboard.

Be sure to install one known working memory module in each slot separately to see if there's a difference. You might find that one slot works and the other one doesn't. That would point to a broken connection on one (or more) of the pins of the memory socket.

[beekeeper]

rkawakami
Thank you for the welcome, yes i have tried a diferent memory module from another laptop which i know is good, tried it in both slots but the problem remains, so it looks like its a new mobo needed.

Would you or anyone else have any idea of a good reasonably priced one anywhere preferably a UK supplier, have looked through Ebay but not a lot there.

BK

[rkawakami]

Sorry, no experience for any UK sources of TP parts and eBay is still mostly a USA playground. A quick Google search finds this:

http://www.techno-mart.co.uk/ibm.html
http://www.pinnaclemicrogb.co.uk/
http://www.preloved.co.uk/

[Kodachi]

Sorry, no experience for any UK sources of TP parts and eBay is still mostly a USA playground. A quick Google search finds this:

http://www.techno-mart.co.uk/ibm.html
http://www.pinnaclemicrogb.co.uk/
http://www.preloved.co.uk/

Hello, I am very new to the forums but I can report that I have sent a number of laptops to Technomart and their service is very good charges are very reasonable.

[beekeeper]

Kodachi and rkawakami, thank you for the helpful replies, will contact techno-mart.

appreciated

BK

[beekeeper]

Just an update, contacted techno-mart and they wanted a minimum of £100 as a start, so gues i wont be going there.

As a matter of interest, i have done further tests on this laptop, the strange thing is it will boot up to windows normally if the lcd is disconnected via bios or the F7 key, or physically unplugged from mobo, but non of the lgihts work, even tried a spare slightly faulty screen robbed from a unit bought for spares and it is the same, so guess there cannot be very much wrong with the mobo, but i would really like to know what is causing the problem, if anyone has an idea of what could be the cause it would be very much appreciated if i could be pointed in the right direction

Beekeeper

[RealBlackStuff]

Open up the LCD in the lid, and check on the LCD back that the cable has not fallen out, or is hanging loose. A drop could have caused it to become loose.

[frankiepankie]

Does it work on an external monitor (LCD or CRT ) ?

[beekeeper]

RealBlackStuff
Thanks for your reply, have already swopped screens with a spare one from a T30 bought for bits and no change, if i connect to Crt all s well but as soon as i switch from Crt to laptop Lcd via F7 switch on laptop it shuts down immediately.

frankiepankie
Thanks for your reply also, Yes it works fine on a Crt monitor but none of the lights on the laptop come on which is strange.