Thinkpads Forum

Yesterday, while working with the T60p I suddenly noticed that something smelled burned. I immediately shut down the TP and disconnected everything and checked for the smell. It cam from somewhere near the left USB port (- note that no USB hardware was connected) - the CPU is also placed somewhere near this place

However following the shock, I switched on the machine some time later and checked if everything was working (USB, WiFi etc.)- which is the case. I further used PC Doctor for testing the system as well as Prime95 stresstest for 1hour. Neither reported anything, also the smell is gone.

Well what shall I do now? I have a real bad feeling about it. Should I contact IBM? Problem is, I need the machine and actually cannot afford to be without it. Further I doubt that the technican might notice something... Because all test show that it is fine!

Could it be that perhaps dust ... or something smell just got fried and caused the small?

I would be very thankful for any suggestions!

Toki

How old is your system? I think this is possible in a new system...what was this "burned" smelling like? Like a black burned toast or less?

How long did you use your tp yesterday? Under which load of CPU?
Is your TP standing on a wood table? Plastic surface?

I noticed this by my old toshiba on the kitchen table, it also smelled like you explain, but it was the table - not the notebook!

Did some more benchmarks (2*PCDoctor Stresstest), played half an hour of NFS Carbon Demo and so and let 3DMark run for one hour, I come to the conclusion that it must have been some piece of dust or perhaps a hair that simply got burned in that very moment, because everythink is working fine...Fingers crossed

I even opened the machine and looked under the keyboard - nothing looked extraordinary or burned.

Btw. although the machine was running the whole day (the day it happened), it was only used for simple word processing and web surfing - well the usual things you need a T60p for . Oh yeah, and the machine is only 4months old...

And yes, the smell came definitly from the TP, I got may girlfriend to confirm this - who was already making jokes regarding the battery...

Something similar happened to me with my T23. Turned out the laptop lost the ability to charge my battery. Had to send the machine in for repairs.

I guess only thing to do is just see if you notice something out of the ordinary...Good luck.

It is possible that a small bug climbed inside for warmth and found it's final resting place RIP

Do you use TPFan control or NHC or similar to monitor your laptop CPU temp?

BTW, I already got NFS Carbon and is very cool!

@benottomex: yes, I did - the temperatures are fine ... And I was able to do everything as usual yesterday (Charging, Bluetooth, Gaming, Wlan etc.).

So I really hope for some dust that simply gut burned (- Actually, I removed my Keyboard and saw that there was in fact some dust gathering beneath).

[OT] Carbon looks sweet indeed [/OT]

Most likely some dust that got burnt or some other little debris. As long as the smell didn't continue, or is now no longer present, when the T60p is powered on and operating, then it should be fine.

If you want, you can periodcially remove the keyboard and clean out dust or do some of it externally. It does generally improve airflow, and therefore the efficiency of the cooling system, as well.