IBM t60 strange behaviour

[biker89]

Hi All

Some time ago I got myself used T60. Until now it hasn't been touched as this was my 3rd pc. Let me list issues:

1. Sometimes it does not get up - I mean, its starts but got stuck in the middle of booting from usb/dvd. Sometimes, even if I have priority boot set up it stucks at "IBM" screen and I need to manually set again source of system.

2. Keyboard works really strange, I need to really press hard the buttons (almost every) some of them do not work at all (left arrows for example) - this test step based on only BIOS check - up

3. Once I have manged to instal windows and some app to show what buttons are pressed i got some strange results. It seems that when I do not touch anything there are about 5 buttons pressed at once.

Guys, whats wrong with it ? It looks quite good, I have tried to re-connect keyboard to mainboard it seems that I was the second person to touch it - after IBM staff of course Is it a common problem? How can I check what should be replaced to not spent silly money if this is a major failure.

If you need any further info about pls let me know

Cheers!
Rafal


PS. i forgot - I have checked ram using memtest and also by checking with other piece. I have tried also to boot several OS - Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, Win xp, Win 7

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the forum.
Sounds like you have a bad keyboard.
All T60, T61, R60 and R61 (and a few other) machines use the same keyboard-types, so you can use any of those to try on yours.

[biker89]

Hi again,

I have checked with a friend and after replacing keyboard the problem is exactly the same... If I use internal keyboard only to launch IBM, then disconnect it and go further using USB keyboard everything seems to work fine.

Might it be mobo failure? If so, replacing it will cost more than I already spent on whole computer...

Cheers!

[TuuS]

If it's not the keyboard, then it looks like you need a new system board, but some of the T60 boards can be found very cheap. I suspect member RealBlackStuff (posted above) may be able to help you with that, I know he had a few available not long ago, or if you want to upgrade to a T60p, I have a board available. Generally these boards sell in the $50-100 range from reliable sources in our forum, but buying direct from lenovo would probably be what you refer to as "silly money" ($500-600 or more)

[Johan]

Suggestion: If you haven't already tried it, you could investigate if any errors are reported by either the Lenovo "PC Doctor" and/or the subsequent Lenovo "ThinkVantage Toolbox" - they will be part of a default e.g. Lenovo T60 XP install (using the Lenovo Rescue & Recovery media).

In the case you don't have any of these programs, I guess they can perhaps be found somewhere on the internet (we can't provide you with any direct download-links, very sorry; resons for this discussed in the thread Takedown request from PC-Doctor). PC Doctor for Dos (bootable CD) version 2.0.1815 (of 2010/07/09) is a bootable version, supporting T60's - it used to be available from Lenovo's site as --> 1ety48ww.exe but in their (successful!) continued attemps to deteriorate customer support, Lenovo has removed this program from their publicly downloadable site

If you end up having to get a new mobo (you, being an European, and hence subject to paying significant import tax/VAT if importing from abroad), the thread WTB 41V9556 motherboard or compatible for T60 may potentially be of interest.

Pease keep us posted about any progress!

Johan

[biker89]

Thanks guys,

I would definitely consider if buying working mobo will be worth for me. I got my t60 very cheap, cost of new may even double whole price If I won't find cheap replacement I will think about selling parts of it but... I will still be IBM fan, got my X31 together in my backpack !

Re Pc-Doctor - would it somehow helps me? Is it only diagnostic software or can be also able to fix any issues?

Last question - My mobo has Ati card and T2600 - should I look for something similiar or there is no difference? I have heard about Ibm t61 common issues with nvidia so for sure i won't be interested in uprgrading it to t61. My question is should I avoid any type of boards, would every work with my current CPU? Thanks for links to past threads but I will definitely got one in my domestic market.

PS. I am wondering if this can be for example serviced if the is a problem with connection in mobo, can this be soldered?

PS2. Would updating bios somehow help here?

Cheers

[TuuS]

Updating the bios won't fix anything in most cases and attempting to do so could completely kill the board. You should NEVER attempt to flash a bios if you don't have a stable running system.

As for your board, the best and latest revision board used in the T60 series is the T60p with ATI FireGL graphics v5250. I have one of these boards availble at $89 if you're interested. This is the model that came with the 64bit Intel core2 duo processors, yours has the 32bit Intel core duo, an older line. You can upgrade your processor if your bios is upgraded first, but the core2 system board also has other revisions so it's definitely the best option of the t60 era. If you want to stick with the ATI Radeon graphics that you have now, the board would be about $50, more or less. In this case I'll ask that you check with member RealBlackStuff first, if he doesn't have one then let me know and I'll get you one, of course if you can find one in your local markets that might be your best option as you'd avoid the cost of international shipping.

Repairing your board, if possible would probably cost in the $100-200 range, so unless it was something special that wasn't easily replaceable, I wouldn't recommend that route. T60 boards are unusually inexpensive compared to others. They still sell for $600-700 from lenovo or ibm, but the great thing about thinkpads are the availability of affordable parts.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[biker89]

Guys,
very quick question:

will this fit my ibm?
http://img09.allegroimg.pl/photos/orygi ... 2977635300
My board/case number is 41W6360.

EDIT:
Gosh... I thought that I mine IBM has 14 inches screen, IT HAS 15 inches! I was so close to but wrong mobo!

EDIT2
Okay, I am totally confused, each website is telling me different thing, one time it is 14", next 15". Also I see there is a lot of different frame code between each T60, the also looks slightly different, am I right?

[RealBlackStuff]

Motherboards for 14.1" and 15" in 4:3 format are identical.
The 15" just has an extra interposer card, see: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lenovo-Thinkpad ... 1180630813
It compensates for the CD-drive.
That's the 14.1" base of an ATI X1400 T60 on that picture.

[biker89]

The question is will it fit to my different(code) frame? Yes, the mobo from link is 14,1 ati, I have 15 inches ATI.

[RealBlackStuff]

Motherboards for 14.1" and 15" in 4:3 format are identical.

So yes, it will fit.

[biker89]

Thanks, I am just waiting for my package

Will let you know how the process of dissembling and replacing mobo went

[biker89]

Okay... news..

I have just installed new mobo. It is the same that I have announced above and.... there is 50% of success i mean:

+ there are no freezes, OS is working without issues
- still keyboard is working freaky - exactly like was before, there is no change at all

Now I am stuck, spent a lot of money until now and I have not working pc

What's now, is this a keyboard issue like it was presumed at the very begging of my struggling? Maybe CPU, I don't know. Guys, have you got any clue?

Thanks

[ajkula66]

What's now, is this a keyboard issue like it was presumed at the very begging of my struggling?

Most likely. Especially at this point in the game.

Maybe CPU, I don't know.

No way, no how.

[biker89]

Thank, and what are other possibilities? If there are any of course.

[RealBlackStuff]

What I don't understand:

If I use internal keyboard only to launch IBM, then disconnect it and go further using USB keyboard everything seems to work fine.

Why would anybody disconnect a keyboard when the laptop is ON?
You would probably cause a short-circuit and definitely create havoc!

[biker89]

My bad..
But this wasn't a root cause, keybard works strange on prev mobo, before i tried desperately to sort out what's the problem.

[RistoE]

When there are freezes it can also be the battery. Try without it..

[biker89]

Like I said - no more freezes (tried before without battery, nothing changed). No only keyboard is a problem but i ordered one for some really good price and i will give this a last chance...

[biker89]

Hi again,

I just owe you this....

MANY, MANY THANKS !!

I have just replace bad keyboard. Now my IBM T60 is back in the game ! Fresh Win 8 onboard, with 1GB of Ram it is incredible fast!
There are many so called - lessons learnt. I will never touch anything inside pc if this is ON, I know this is silly but if are hopelessly starring at as suppossed Dead PC you are trying such stupid things...

So again, if you will be visiting Warsaw PM me and I will for sure share couple of cold beers with you

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