T60 hangs under Linux and Windows

[Specter]

Hello, I have just bought a used T60 (2007-G4G). My intention was running it with openSUSE and I installed 11.2 with no problems. But when i booted it for the first time it didn't take long before it hung. It just froze and the only way out was to reboot using the on/off button.

I then tried Ubuntu 9.04 instead and this would also install without problems, but after a minute or twos use it hung in the same way. Then I downloaded PC Doctor on a boot-CD and ran all tests without any problems. I also ran the full disk erase and the surface check applications in PC-doctor. Both of these applications took several hours to complete, without any hangs.

I then thought that it could be graphics (hardware like with the T4X series) related and continued to install Windows XP with SP3. Windows also installed without problems but after a reboot ran only minutes before hanging again in the same way. Sigh...

The next step was to clean the computer inside using compressed air. The fan was dusty but not very much. I think the computer was clean and tidy inside. After this I reinstalled openSUSE 11.2 without problems but running it still results in a hang after several minutes.

In desperation I started openSUSE in safe mode, and the computer seems to run reliably there.

I have no ideas left of what to try next. Should I return the computer?

Thanks for any input on this!

[underclocker]

There are some long threads about the topic, but T60's have freeze up issues when two memory sticks of the same size, but different brands/types are used. If you're using two 512MB, 1GB or 2GB sticks, pull out one and see if you machine stops freezing up.

This is very annoying and I've run across it more than one time. Using matched pairs of memory works well.

Alternately, if you're using a T60 with a defective battery, you'll get the same freeze ups. However, I figured you might have mentioned a bad battery in your initial post. Good luck.

[mr.motoring]

The symptoms sound very similar to a bad/non-charging battery or one that is about to fail. Try running on AC power only with no battery...

[Specter]

Many thanks for input on this!

I have only one memory stick in the machine, I would think it is the original 1GB of memory. I realise I did not mention this but I have tried memtest86 on the machine, and it ran without problems.

The battery however is bad, really bad. In fact it will not charge at all. I have the same problems with or without the battery in the machine however. Could this be the cause anyway? I feel reluctant to invest in a new battery unless I know the machine is good.

Further tests with openSUSE have shown that the machine seems to run reliably in the "safe-mode" - of this operating system. Does this ring any bells for anyone?

Also, I tried to update the BIOS since the one installed is from 2007 (I believe), and there is a newer on from this year. But I could not do this since the update application requires a fully charged battery. Sigh...

All the best!

[Specter]

I have now let memtest86 run for 4 hours, and there were no errors reported. So it would seem the memory is fine. This was without the battery in the machine.

However, when I put the battery back in the machine and try to start openSUSE it will not even boot. I get the grub screen where I can choose between a normal boot and a boot in safe-mode. If I choose the former, the T60 hangs almost instantly. If I choose safe-mode I get several screens of printout before it hangs. I have tried to boot several times, and the hang is in different places each time.

I see two rows of output that signal errors:

FATAL: Module ata_piix not found.
FATAL: Error running install command for ata_piix

Not sure if this is the problem though.

[underclocker]

Assuming it runs fine without the battery, I think you have the answer.

Here's one more test. Boot it up with out the battery and use it for a few hours. Then insert the battery while the machine is on. It will probably freeze within a minute or so.

Unfortunately, the T6x/R6x/Z6x/X6x and newer machines seem to have more battery problems than the previous generation of machines. I have over one dozen defective batteries on my parts shelf from the T6x generation. If you pop them in any machine, the machine will freeze.

[Specter]

No it doesn't run correctly without the battery either, but it will not even boot with the battery.
Without the battery it will run from a few minutes up to an hour or so - depending on what I do presumably.

Could a new battery help here? I don't understand how, but I have to ask.

Could the computer have been damaged in any way by a bad battery?

[richk]

I have never seen a bad battery damage one. I think a new battery will not fix this. Are you using wireless? If so, try pulling out the card and connect via ethernet (if possible).

[underclocker]

What does "it doesn't run correctly" mean?

FYI, another good reason for funny behavior is a liquid spill.

[Specter]

Richk, yes I am using wireless. Hm, perhaps I should try this, but right now I feel more inclined to return the computer.

Underclocker, sorry, "it doesn't run correctly" was an understatement from me. I meant to say it hangs hard, or freezes. Furthermore, I bought the machine at an auction so I wouldn't know about any liquid spill by its previous owner, but the machine looks very neat and tidy inside.

As a last test, is there a better diagnostic out there that could perhaps point in the right direction? I have already tried the CD-boot version of PC-Doctor from Lenovo, but I didn't get any errors from this.

Thanks for all suggestions!