Some wierd issues.

[Dustmasterd]

I own an x41 tablet running ubuntu, and it has worked near-flawlessly until now.

Recently applications took an extremely long time to open, then it got to the point where I was getting graphical errors (random blue pixels on the screen, missing mouse cursor, etc). At one point the os crashed, nothing but a bios text blinker ( the underscore thing that shows your place). I shut if off, then turned it back on to see a ubuntu desktop instance thing where I could try restoring a previous instance or " create a new instance" or something like that. I did both of those options and different points of time and managed to install all the ubuntu updates I've been pushing back for the last few months. After using it for an few days, the bios screen kept coming back again, and again; typically after slightly moving my laptop.

I decided to try launching with different circumstances (ie removing some of the ram from the back) with no effect. I dissassembled it, then put it back together (I figured maybe I needed to clean some dust off or something). It worked for another day, then crashed again. Now its at the point where the screen won't even turn on, and the speaker bleeps in morse code 1-3-4-3.

Can someone please help me resolve this issue? I loved this laptop and really wanted to use it for notes and ebooks in college.

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the forum.
The 1-3-4-3 indicates a fault in the RAM that is soldered on the motherboard.
Replace the board if you're handy enough.

Otherwise I have a nice X41T for sale:
ThinkPad X41 Tablet (1866-EG3)
Based on 1866-CRU: P M 778(1.6GHz)LV, 1.5GB RAM, 60GB 4200rpm HD, 12.1in 1024x768 LCD, Intel 900, Intel 802.11abg wireless, Bluetooth/Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 8c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Tablet 2005 installed (but COA missing)
As above, in very good condition, incl. stylus, $150.- shipped to CONUS.
PM me if interested.

[Dustmasterd]

Thanks for the offer, but I've already spent money replacing the screen and the pen, so buying a new one is not a smart decision for me.

Does anyone have any redneck tricks to possibly revive the dead onboard ram I have? Is there a way to force the computer to ignore the onboard ram altogether and just use my 1 gig of attachable ram?

[RealBlackStuff]

With proper SMD equipment you (or someone else) might be able to replace the faulty RAM chip(s).
Otherwise try our Marketforum with a WTB ad (or eBay if that fails).

[ganon11000]

You could remove the ram and see if it'll work without it?

[Cigarguy]

You could remove the ram and see if it'll work without it?

The problematic RAM is soldered on.

[ganon11000]

I mean un-solder it and don't replace it?

[Neil]

@ganon11000 - You ever perform such an operation?

[ganon11000]

No but if you can't find a replacement surely you could just use 1 module?

[Neil]

Sure you could use just one module, but like RBS wrote above, it's very near impossible to remove a soldered down RAM module without a proper rework station. A piece of equipment that few hobbiests (if any) have.

[ganon11000]

couldn't you use a cheap heat gun and something to lift it up?

[RealBlackStuff]

Getting it off is the easy part, but putting it (or a replacement) back is the problem.
Here's a picture of one side, the 4 black chips are the RAM modules: http://www.jawoll-productions.de/images ... /board.JPG
And there's 4 more on the other side.
All of them are BGA from what I can see.

[Neil]

couldn't you use a cheap heat gun and something to lift it up?

Yeah, I'm sure you could get it loose with a cheap heat gun, but you would almost certainly loosen (or worse) a number of other components in the process. But, I guess since the motherboard is not much good as-is anyway, it wouldn't hurt much to experiment with it, but I wouldn't expect a functional motherboard to be the outcome.

[ganon11000]

That's what I meant to say since it's doomed ... Unless you code a BIOS that disables the on board ram!