Troubleshooting X220 dead on startup - have some clues - back to life after hours but clock wrong - CMOS battery?

[wezzley]

Thanks in advance for any ideas: I'm in a remote place so not near technicians. Just out of warranty too.

Lenovo x220 laptop - non responsive for several hours at a time over last 2 days.

Tried: -

Battery is full. spare battery and plugging in to mains without battery also tapping and holding power button without battery. Tried re-seating ram.

clues: -

1) when plugged in to mains power the battery charge indicator on case lights.
2) when pushing power on button after re-inserting the battery - all that happens is that the antena indicator light under the screen on the left side (next to the hdd indicator light) flashes green once . Pushing the power button again will not give this unless the battery is removed & reinserted.
3) Otherwise system is completely non responsive - no fan, screen, hdd, nothing, silent.
4) Problem only occurs when trying to wake from himbernate - once it's up and running it does not shutdown unexpectedly.
5) This has happened twice in 2 days. On each occasion after several hours the laptop will power up again when I try. The system clock is incorrect and showing the time as about when the problem started.

I am hoping very much this is as simple as replacing the Motherboard battery - is it possible that a dead motherboard battery would produce these symptoms? I've looked inside and located the battery, I can;t just switch it unfortunately I'll need a solder or something - but will certainly be better than a new motherboard...in which case I might be better to buy new.

Many thanks indeed for any thoughts,

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the forum

Click on the HMM link at the top of this page and download the maintenance manual for your X220.
In there it is called Backup Battery, and described how to replace it.
Remove your palmrest to see the CMOS.
The CMOS battery is the same as in most other Thinkpads, and is not soldered, but plugged.
See e.g. here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/251578670238

[wezzley]

Hi RealBlackStuff, thanks for the warm welcome,

Thanks for your suggestion, yes that pic on ebay is accurate. ISince I am in a remote part of India my first plan will be to try to switch the CR2032 battery and keep the original cables rather than buy a replacement as that could take weeks to arrange.

Interestingly on my device (I bought second hand 1.5yrs ago) the yellow cover was already sliced open and the battery outside it. There are two sensors stuck to the battery, one on each side. I'm gonna try rip them off and tape them to the new one.

Would it be rude to ask your level on confidence on whether replacing the battery will fix the problem? Are the symptoms consistent with that? - its just that due to my remoteness I don't want to compound the problem

Much appreciated & Regards

[RealBlackStuff]

A CMOS battery should be relatively easy (and cheap) to get, even in remote India.
The CR2032 is (at least in USA) available in pharmacies and hardware shops.
Just make sure you connect the red wire to the PLUS and the black wire to MINUS/Ground.
And put a piece of tape around it to avoid any shorts.

A dead CMOS has created lots of havoc in all sorts of laptops, so your chance to fix the problem(s) is quite good.
If not, ask us again with new/other problems that might pop up.
If there is any password in the BIOS, remove it before you disconnect the CMOS.
Good luck.

[wezzley]

Thanks again,

I have aquired a simple CR2032 and will attempt to switch them in the morning. I'll come back to update. Thanks for confirming that this battery may be the cause of my woes.

The official type part seems not available commercially in India, my best bet would be from somewhere like Germany so a couple of weeks wait at least, hence I'll try a MacGyver type fix, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IBM-Lenovo-CR ... B#shpCntId

Regards