Thinkpads Forum

I've done a search for the solution and I think I know what I need to do, but I want to run it by everyone here. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I just donated a fiver to the site to let you guys know I'm not a freeloader.

So I have an x220 with the extended battery base. Everything was working fine but I someone spilled coffee and it pooled up underneath instead of flowing out because of the base. At this point, the wifi stopped working. I also can not seem keep the laptop off. Everytime I shut down, it starts up again. The only way I can completely shut down is to take out the battery. I've tried hibernating, sleeping, checked all power settings, turned off fingerprint login, everything....

The coffee pooled up where the wimax card is. I opened the laptop up and the wimax card and the receiver on the motherboard have coffee stains on them.

So I pull out the wifi card and put everything back together and it does not start.

So I open everything up again and put the dirty/damaged? card back in and it starts.

So I order a replacement wimax card and put the new one in there and it does not start.

The computer will only turn on if I put the funky damaged wimax card in there and while it is in there I can not keep my laptop off. It ALWAYS turns back on if I shut it off. Doesn't matter how I turn it off. Hibernate, sleep, shut off on start menu, power button, etc.etc.

Do I need a new Mobo? It is an i7-2620M. What is the model number for this mobo, and what do you guys recommend if I can upgrade? Thank you!

Welcome to the forum.
That's a strange problem.
I would suggest you get some 91% Isopropyl Alcohol (supermarket or pharmacy) and cotton swabs.
Then carefully clean the inside of the wifi-connector with those swabs drenched in Isopropyl, without leaving swab-rests behind.
Let the Isopropyl evaporate for a few minutes before trying to start (first without card, then with new card).

There are 4 versions of 17-2620M mobo.
Go to the HMM link at the top of this page and download the X220 HMM manual for details.

if you look at ebay, you should find a X220 laptop with a working motherboard, with i5 and without usb3 port, for around 100 USD.

Trying to get a motherboard or a laptop with i7 and usb3, the price difference is not worth it IMO, considering the very small difference in performance.

Having said that, .. it sounds your motherboard might be fine, and just need a proper cleaning, and something in there is short circuiting.

Thanks for the replies.

I tried getting in there. Those coffee stains will not come out. Q-Tip is not small enough to get in between.

Can a "laptop repair" store clean it out? It seems I don't have the tools to clean it properly.

Try using a toothbrush or very small paintbrush instead.
In that case be careful with the Isopropyl and allow extra time for evaporation.

RealBlackStuff wrote:Try using a toothbrush or very small paintbrush instead.
In that case be careful with the Isopropyl and allow extra time for evaporation.

Ok so I tried everything and those "stains" are not coming off.

I took the wimax card with similar "stains" and realized that those are actually burn marks.

The coffee must have started sparks or something.

The receiving port for the wimax car has similar discoloration.

Mobo time? or can I stick something in there that will "bypass" it?

A USB wifi-dongle comes to mind (or a new motherboard).

New board.

RealBlackStuff wrote:A USB wifi-dongle comes to mind (or a new motherboard).

Thanks for trying to help me avoid a new mobo.

I've ordered one already.

Thank you everyone!