Thinkpads Forum

So I finally got my T61 today, and after Vista loaded and it scanned my fingerprints and whatnot, I started to install some programs (firefox, thunderbird, bitdefender, vlc media player). Afterwards, I restarted the machine to let the installations take effect. I then surfed the web via firefox for a while. Everything seemed fine, I encountered no problems.

And then I put the laptop into sleep mode for about an hour. When I returned, I pressed the power-on button (as I would have with my T42) to find that the computer instead shut off (this is probably my fault, as I configured in power settings to have the on-botton turn the computer off). But I did not expect to have trouble getting the computer to turn on again. I pressed the on-button and heard a series of beeps--"beep beepbeepbeep beepbeepbeep beep beepbeepbeep" -- but that was it. No video... nothing seemed to be happening. I turned the computer off, waited, then on again--same thing. It happens each time in the same way.

I haven't had time to call Lenovo yet, so I was wondering if anyone had any input.

This is so frustrating.

Most likely it's your system board or memory. Since you can't do anything about the system board, try reseating the memory dimm(s).
If that doesn't work and you have 2 dimms try them one at a time.
And call Lenovo support. If it turns out to be the system board request a replacement T61, try not to settle on just a repair.

Hi, thank you so much for your response.

I am going to call Lenovo in an hour or two, when I get off of work. In the case that it is the system board, why should ask for a T61 replacement instead of a repair on the system board (sorry, I don't know very much about computers)?

kangazoom wrote:snip........why should ask for a T61 replacement instead of a repair on the system board (sorry, I don't know very much about computers)?

You don't need to unless you really want to.

kangazoom wrote:why should ask for a T61 replacement instead of a repair on the system board

Many technicians are sloppy. To replace a system board, many components of the laptop need to be removed and then reinstalled, and it's easy to make a mistake in the process. It's safer to swap the whole machine.

pianowizard wrote:Many technicians are sloppy. To replace a system board, many components of the laptop need to be removed and then reinstalled, and it's easy to make a mistake in the process. It's safer to swap the whole machine.

That could be true perhaps even for a computer company whose warranty services ranks second best in the industry but machine swap wouldn't be an answer everytime motherboard issues arise, one way or another one will have to deal with warranty services one day whenever critical problem(s) would come up.

I've seen people report that the following sometimes fixes a dead system. Disconnect the AC power and remove the main battery and the CMOS backup battery. Press down the power button about a dozen times, then press and hold it down for 30 seconds. Reinstall the batteries and reconnect the AC power and see if the system will power up. If still no luck, see Hardware Maintenance Manual for what the beep codes mean.

T61 Standard Screen HMM

T61 14.1" Widescreen HMM

T61 15.4" Widescreen HMM

ryengineer wrote:

pianowizard wrote:Many technicians are sloppy. To replace a system board, many components of the laptop need to be removed and then reinstalled, and it's easy to make a mistake in the process. It's safer to swap the whole machine.

That could be true perhaps even for a computer company whose warranty services ranks second best in the industry but machine swap wouldn't be an answer everytime motherboard issues arise, one way or another one will have to deal with warranty services one day whenever critical problem(s) would come up.

The laptop is less then a day old. I think he deserves a replacement not a repair.

Okay, so after reseating the memory DIMMS, the laptop turned on. All seems well. I'm a little annoyed that I had to open the laptop up after owning it for only a few hours. But hopefully this is resolved. I'm still a little skeptical.

Thank you to everyone who replied; that was very helpful

kangazoom wrote:Okay, so after reseating the memory DIMMS, the laptop turned on. All seems well. I'm a little annoyed that I had to open the laptop up after owning it for only a few hours. But hopefully this is resolved. I'm still a little skeptical.

Thank you to everyone who replied; that was very helpful

That's great to hear! I know how frustrating it can be to wait so long for a new laptop... only to have it go *poof*.

Glad to hear it was only loose memory simms. Probably caused by less then gentle shipping handlers. I recommend you download the CD bootable version of PC Doctor and run a thorough checkout, especially the memory. Afterwhich you can sit back relax and enjoy.

If its just the memory that needed reseating then its nothing to worry about. Happens frequently when computers are shipped.

steveg47 wrote:The laptop is less then a day old. I think he deserves a replacement not a repair.

I don't think anyone disagrees with you, but in some circumstances a replacement could take longer than a repair. The world's not perfect

fbrdphreak wrote: I don't think anyone disagrees with you, but in some circumstances a replacement could take longer than a repair. The world's not perfect

This is why a little troubleshooting is in order before before jumping to conclusions about a replacement or a repair.