x41 problems

[onigiri]

So I've been having a few problems lately with my x41..

First, I would sometimes get a keyboard error on startup..usually I fix this by restarting it enough time and hope for the best. It doesn't occur that often, but from time to time.

Secondly, and also the most troubling, is that my computer would randomly freeze. At any point. It would freeze on startup when you see the IBM logo, it would freeze just right after during the black screen, it would freeze randomly while I'm using windows, it would freeze while its shutting down, it would even freeze while I'm accessing the bios...So, this lead me to believe, maybe its the motherboard?

I don't know if this is the right place, but its my primary computer so I'm at a lost of what to do without it. Any help would be great!

[sjthinkpader]

Reseat the DIMM first, then run PC Doctor.

[Temetka]

When you are using the machine, does it feel hot? Do the fans come on at all?

It could be an overheating issue.

After reseating the memory, I would blow out the system with some compressed air and possibly re-paste the processor as well.

[onigiri]

The fan does turn on, and it doesnt feel hot (I haven't used it for a while since it had problems). So it's probably connection problems? I reseated the memory, but I'm not sure how to get PC doctor since it seems like it costs money..are there any free alternatives? I don't have compressed air handy so I'll have to wait on that, and I'm not sure how to repaste the processor..

[sjthinkpader]

Download PC Doctor from here:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... diagnostic

[onigiri]

Thanks for that. I ran pc doctor and everything pass. I'm thinking it may be a heating issue (overheats too quickly?), although doesn't that shut it down rather than freeze the system?

Now I have another problem..I try opening it to access the motherboard..but two of the screws to remove the keyboard is stripped...sigh....I guess I'm screwed.

[sjthinkpader]

Drill out the stripped screw head with a small bit.

[onigiri]

So I *finally* managed to get the screws out and looked inside my laptop. There was two chips connected to the heatsink..I wasn't sure what the other one was but I applied thermal paste to both of them anyway. Afterwards, it had constant restarting problems, as well as the sometimes freezing. I opened it up again in case there was loose parts and noticed the CPU had a thermal pad, so I took off the thermal pad on the CPU and reapplied thermal paste for both chips (my friend mentioned the other chip might be the video processor?). Same problems. Then I tried putting back the pad without the paste, and reapplied paste on the other chip...same problems!

I'm going out of my mind with this. Now instead of simply freezing, it restarts! I can't even boot from a CD without it restarting randomly!

(by the by, I tested PC doctor after applying the paste the first time and there was no problems..)

Help?

[sjthinkpader]

Remove everything including SODIMM, then run PC Doctor DOS.

[onigiri]

Not sure what constitutes as removing everything without removing too much, but I removed the battery, the hard drive, the PCI card, the Daughter card and the RAM. (I could only find a 1GB stick when my system has 1.5GB...not sure where the other 512mb is..) but it still restarts when I try to load Ubuntu CD.

I don't have any available CDs/DVDs at the moment to burn the PC Doctor DOS..but if its still restarting, does that mean the problem isn't in either of these things?

[sjthinkpader]

Yes, if you removed everything and it still restart; then you either junk it or find someone who will fix it.

[onigiri]

I guess that would mean the problem lies in the motherboard/CPU? Is there a way to test which one it is? I kind of don't have the money for a new laptop, but I'm certainly in need. And there is someone selling a Pent M CPU in the market forum.. =(

[sjthinkpader]

X41 uses soldered CPU. So you'll need a working MB.

[vladis]

Try to install ThinkPad fan control application and turn cpu fan to high speed.

And what about GPU issue ? Like in t4x´s. I would try to make small pressure on GPU while laptop is running of course. If after removing pressure laptop freezes again it will be GPU imo.

[Temetka]

These machines do not have a discrete GPU like the T4x machine do. The GPU is built into the chipset.

[onigiri]

Considering it got worse after I took it apart, is it possible I damaged it even more so in the process?

[topmahof]

i have an x40 that starting freezing all the time and finally determined that it was the graphics chip that was failing. i went on ebay and found a motherboard in a complete base for 100 bucks. transferred the screen, ram, keyboard, wireless card, bluetooth and it's running fine. i'm using it to type this. by the way, the other 512 mb of ram is integrated into the motherboard. x41s are fairly cheap to fix if you don't mind doing it yourself.

[sjthinkpader]

How about one of these?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0539936781

[onigiri]

I had been looking for an x41 motherboard, but I wondered why I hadn't seen such a cheap listing. But I realize it ships in the US only, and I live in Canada =(
Thanks for the link though! I'll ask the seller if they'll make an exception.

[joshchau]

I have a similar problem with my X41 tablet type 1866.

I bought it on ebay with win7 installed but it randomly freezes or even occasionally refuses to boot up.

Instances in which it freezes include the circumstances as follows:

1. Push on button and Fan comes on at max speed with battery and "circle with Z" light next to it on. No "IBM Thinkpad" Screen. That's it. I'll force a shutdown with the power key and wait 30 sec and try again. Usually on the 2nd or 3rd try I boot all the way into win7 desktop.

2. Freezing also occurs when the computer boots up into the desktop and is left untouched for a few minutes. Maybe not every time but perhaps 3 out of 7 times.

3. During long diagnostic operations it has occasionally frozen. Never on a particular diagnostic. I have the latest diagnostic thinkvantage tool on this machine.

4. Once I heard a loud "P-Clunk" from the HDD and then it froze.

5. If I use the machine continuously (surfing, etc.) it doesn't seem to freeze but if I set i down for a few minutes and come back I'll sometimes find it frozen.

This machine never freezes on shutdown.

I thought it might be the HDD but I don't think that explains the freezing before the "IBM Thinkpad" screen on bootup. **I have tweaked the airbag protection sensitivity up and down with no apparent change in results. **I turned off indexing on the HDD, also with no apparent change in results.

I'm considering sending it back as I've only had it for 5 days.

Thoughts? THANKS!

[mediasponge]

How about one of these?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0539936781

This is a 42T0013 FRU, which is actually for an X41T tablet computer. See this thread for the limitations. Basically, it works, but the indicator lights don't work, and it ignores the lid closed switch. It was cheap, tho, and the machine boots and runs just fine.

[joshchau]

I considered the FRU3955T21 since that was already what was in the tablet.
I would be annoyed to lose any original functionality as this was a dream computer of mine from 6 years ago.

Unfortunately . . . or fortunately, I'm returning it to seller because of the random freezing problems.

It's a NOOB mistake but the cracks on the case and palm rest should have alerted me to possible drops which would screw the system. I'll never make that mistake again. And neither should you!

Thanks guys.

I'm looking for a another X41 in the marketplace forum. If you got one, try me
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 03#p611003

[oliwek]

It seems I have bought another X41 Tablet with similar issues : see http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 66&start=0


mine is still running XP Tablet edition though (no hdd indexation), but it does the same with Ubuntu (10.10 liveusb)

1. Push on button and Fan comes on at max speed with battery and "circle with Z" light next to it on. No "IBM Thinkpad" Screen. That's it. I'll force a shutdown with the power key and wait 30 sec and try again. Usually on the 2nd or 3rd try I boot all the way into win7 desktop.
-> similar
2. Freezing also occurs when the computer boots up into the desktop and is left untouched for a few minutes. Maybe not every time but perhaps 3 out of 7 times.
-> similar, but not so often (see points 3 and 5)
3. During long diagnostic operations it has occasionally frozen. Never on a particular diagnostic. I have the latest diagnostic thinkvantage tool on this machine.
-> this I haven't noticed, but as it randomly freezes, sometimes after a while when untouched...
4. Once I heard a loud "P-Clunk" from the HDD and then it froze.
-> I didn't hear that
5. If I use the machine continuously (surfing, etc.) it doesn't seem to freeze but if I set i down for a few minutes and come back I'll sometimes find it frozen.
-> similar (freezes more often when I move the laptop, from desktop to the sofa for example)