T60 Trackpoint Failure

[lmittell]

My trackpoint appears to have failed. The touchpad still works, however.

This occurred after I took the palmrest and keybosrd out to blow the dust out of the fan, something I've done routinely at least a dozen times before. My first thought was that I had a driver problem, so I uninstalled and reinstalled the Ultranav driver.

No joy, so I then swapped my old keyboard back in.

Again no joy, so I reinstalled my old XP hard drive (I'm running Win 7 on my current drive) and still had no success.

So it seems as though the problem isn't software and isn't keyboard. I'm led to the inescapable conclusion that I've got a motherboard problem, but I'd love for someone to lead me down another path.

HELP!

Larry
T60 2007-63U
Win 7 32 bit

[RealBlackStuff]

Try reseating the touchpad connector (under the keyboard,protruding from the front palmrest.

[lmittell]

I'm not sure I understand your description correctly, but acting on your advice, I removed bothe the keyboard and palmrest and disconnected and reseated the ribbon cable connectors for each. I also checked the trackpoint setting in the BIOS. It was all to no avail.

Anything else anyone can think of?

If it comes to it, how tough a job is it to replace the motherboard? If I read the HMM correctly, the P/N is 41V9920 and there are plenty of them available on Ebay for around $70.

Larry

[RealBlackStuff]

Replacing the mobo takes between 20-45 minutes, depending on how adept you are with a small Phillips #0 screwdriver.
Take a piece of paper, and write down what screw(s) come from where, then tape them to that text.
Reassembling: go in reverse.
You currently have a 14" with ATI X1400.
If you don't need 128MB graphics RAM, go for a mobo with X1300 (64MB) or even integrated Intel graphics.
Either one will run cooler than what you have now.
The above only applies if your mobo is indeed the culprit.

Run PCDoctor on it first.

[Harryc]

I'm having the same problem on a T400 I acquired recently, and in addition to that sound does not show up anywhere either, so I am calling Lenovo to get the systemboard replaced under on site repair warranty.

[lmittell]

Replacing the mobo takes between 20-45 minutes, depending on how adept you are with a small Phillips #0 screwdriver.
Take a piece of paper, and write down what screw(s) come from where, then tape them to that text.
Reassembling: go in reverse.
You currently have a 14" with ATI X1400.
If you don't need 128MB graphics RAM, go for a mobo with X1300 (64MB) or even integrated Intel graphics.
Either one will run cooler than what you have now.
The above only applies if your mobo is indeed the culprit.

Run PCDoctor on it first.

Do you have part numbers for the motherboards you recommend? What do I give up by compromising on video Ram?

I ran the full gamut of PC Doctor tests, and there were no errors, aside from a spurious one about the parallel port that doesn't exist.

Best,
Larry

[RealBlackStuff]

You can find those P/N or FRU in the HMM: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-62733
If you are a gamer or heavy photoshopper, you will probably want to keep your X1400.

If all you do is email/browse/Word etc. and/or watching occasional movies, even the Intel integrated graphics will do more than fine.
With Intel, you share RAM, so an upgrade to 3GB would be recommended.
Other than that, you gain more battery runtime and the laptop runs a lot cooler.
All parts from the other mobo can be used on a new one.
Caveat: if you have and use WWAN now, make sure your new mobo has that as well. There are mobos without that option!

[billp117]

Sounds more like the keyboard to me...what did I miss?

[lmittell]

What you missed was the fact that I swapped in a known good keyboard, but if I hadn't done that, I'd agree with you.

Larry

[billp117]

Oops...thanks for the update.

[lmittell]

Problem solved by replacing the palmrest (and consequently the touchpad electronics). Motherboard is OK. Go figure.

Larry

[billp117]

I am getting really old...I forgot that EasyServ replaced the same part on my T60p years ago solving the same problem.

Don't get old.

B

[lmittell]

I am getting really old...I forgot that EasyServ replaced the same part on my T60p years ago solving the same problem.

Don't get old.

B

Too late!

Larry