T30 beep codes

[T30_User]

I've read the IBM T30 hardware maintenance manual but I have difficulties interpreting the fault on my T30 computer.

If I remove both memory sticks (and the hard drive), the laptop gives the well familiar 1, 3, 3, 1 beep sequence. The manual refers to either a memory issue or a motherboard issue. But if I put one memory stick in (either slot), the computer does not boot to bios menu, the display remains black AND there are no beep codes.

Now why does the laptop not give any beep codes when a memory stick is in place while it is able to give the code when the no memory stick is attached? Note that the memory stick itself is good, I've tested it in another computer. I thought the computer would be able to give the error code even if the memory interface was bad irrespectively of the memory stick inserted when it does it without the memory.

At some point the maintenance manual states that the motherboard could be faulty if the computer does not give any beep code and if the display remains black but it does not clarify that this is the case even if the computer was able to provide beep codes without any memory sticks inserted.

Myself I've concluded the motherboard must have failed, I guess there is no way to test it further?

[Neil]

Have you tried connecting an external monitor to see if anything is displayed? Could be that the motherboard is OK, and the display is bad. Does anything ever display on the internal monitor?

[T30_User]

Have you tried connecting an external monitor to see if anything is displayed? Could be that the motherboard is OK, and the display is bad. Does anything ever display on the internal monitor?

Thanks for your response. I have tried to use an external monitor but nothing displayed there either.

[jronald]

I have had 1 T30 that did the same thing. Kind of assumed it was a faulty GPU.

Ron

[madrigal]

I have some T30 mobos with failed TWO memory slots, so my advice is: first try to resolder the outer RAM slot (this one which is notoriously known to fail), put the RAM module ONLY on it after that. If the laptop boots OK, try to resolder the other one. Do not go directly to video chip resoldering because this is more dangerous and expensive operation

[rkawakami]

Have both memory modules been fully tested in your other computer? By that I mean a memory diagnostic program run on them and not just simply inserted in the machine and a boot to BIOS performed. It's possible to have defective memory modules hang the system in the manner described.

Another thing to try is to remove all of the "extra" hardware from the system. Leave the CPU installed (actually, re-seat it just to make sure it's making good contact with the socket) but pull out the MiniPCI card (in particular), Ultrabay, CDC, modem, Bluetooth, etc. and see if that allows the laptop to boot to BIOS.

[T30_User]

Thanks for the suggestions since my previous visit to the forum. I ordered a new motherboard and was away because delivery took almost 4 weeks.

Now with the new mobo I get 4 times 4 short beeps, should refer to the security chip which I would not even need. I wonder if I'll give up with this computer or if I'll should try the old mobo again.

I can find a lot of posts about the security chip but almost all are about compatibility when swapping mother boards w/wo the security chip. This new (to me ) mother board was supposed to have been tested, any immediate thoughts on fixing the security chip related boot issue?

[RealBlackStuff]

If you can get into the BIOS, just disable the security chip.
If your board is supposed to have one and it is missing (or someone just inserted the chip from another T30 board), the board is useless.
Security chip must match its own original board, and will not work anywhere else.

I have three T30 mobos lying around (2 with matching sec-chip, 3rd doesn't need one), but no longer a T30 to try them out.
AFAIK two work at least with an external monitor and both RAM slots are OK.
The last one has only 1 working RAM slot, but displays fine on LCD and external monitor.
You can have all three for $50.- which includes shipping cost USA-Finland.
Payment via PayPal.

[T30_User]

Forgive me my ignorance, I checked from the manual where the security chip should appear and thought it was present. Then I started wondering how the chip could get off when the manual explains it should be put immediately back. Google showed me how the security chip should look like, it was just the black rubber support that I thought was the chip present on the board. I realised neither of the mother boards had the security chip present. The original must have been configured for no security chip even if the mobo FRU indicates it should have had one.

I guess the shop that sold me the new mother board forgot to send the security chip along with the board. Remains to be seen if they can find the missing chip, I doubt that.

I understand those chips are available as new chips but a new chip cannot work with my new mother board when the bios has been configured for another chip.

Now that there is no chip, I cannot get into bios at all.

RealBlackStuff, I'm certainly interested about about your offer, I've sent PM hoping we could reach a deal.

I'm glad I found this great forum.