T20 Hangs at IBM Logo

[jasew503]

I have a T20 (700/256MB) that wont go past the IBM Logo. Just freezes there. I have tried different RAM, MiniPCI Card Removed / Different Ones, Nothing Changes. Any Ideas?

[automobus]

I suggest you also disconnect drives and the clock battery.

[Thinkpad Lover]

Try changing the CMOS (clock) battery.

Daniel.

[jasew503]

Ive tried it with drives connected, however ill try it with another cmos batt..

[rkawakami]

And if another CMOS battery doesn't revive the system, then try the usual procedure of removing all hardware that plugs into the system. This includes memory and the MiniPCI card, as well as the hard drive and Ultrabay device. With the T20 in that state, you should get a blank screen and the 1-3-3-1 beep code for missing memory. If you do, then your motherboard may still be functional. Continue by installing one of the memory module and re-boot. If the system then displays the IBM splash screen for about 10 seconds, followed by an error message about not being able to find an operating system, then you know that the memory module is probably good. Keep re-installing one piece of hardware at a time and re-booting to see if the problem returns. If it does, the last thing you put back into the system is probably bad. Based on past history, a bad MiniPCI card can affect the system like this.

[jasew503]

I tried removing everything and running it, it does do the 1-3-3-1 beep. As soon as I re-install any memory, and Ive tried several, it stops at the IBM Logo.

[rkawakami]

Based on my past experience with the T23 systems, you may have a stuck key on the keyboard. I don't know if this is the same for the earlier T2x systems however. There's several keys that I've documented that will cause the T23 to hang on the splash screen without giving you any indication of the 0210 (stuck key) error.

http://www.kawakami-ca.com/ibm_t2x/0210_errors/

In order to verify this, you need to power up the system but not have the keyboard attached. The easiest (and safest) way is to remove the keyboard, attach the system to a port replicator or docking station and use a port replicator or docking station's power button to turn the system on. The other way, but I can't really recommend it, is to remove the keyboard connector just after turning the system on. You'll have to remove the two screws holding the keyboard in place, pop it up and slide it away from the bezel exposing the connector on the motherboard. Push the power button and then quickly yank out the connector from the motherboard.

Also based on past T23 experience, you could have a problem with one or more of the crystals on the motherboard:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=40648

[jasew503]

I have a Port Replicator, ill try it without a keyboard and a battery.

[SMA]

Most likely a loose memory socket.

[jasew503]

I tried all the above montioned possiblilties. No go. Should I try baking the board? I have nothing to lose at this point it seems...

[ozzymud]

I tried removing everything and running it, it does do the 1-3-3-1 beep. As soon as I re-install any memory, and Ive tried several, it stops at the IBM Logo.

Assuming here you've tried each piece of memory in each slot separately? Do you have another machine you can try these sticks in as well? Could be you just have some bad memory on your hands. I just confirmed on my T20 that you can boot with a stick in either slot.

So... try these combinations:

slot1=stick1
slot2=empty

slot1=stick2
slot2=empty

slot1=empty
slot2=stick1

slot1=empty
slot2=stick2

If all 4 combinations fail, I would have to either try a known good stick from a working machine, or verify the condition of your 2 in a known good machine before condemning the motherboard.