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X201s random shutdowns, power on issues
X201s random shutdowns, power on issues
Hi All,
I have a X201s which I had kept using for about a 2 years skipping the "fan error" message without major issues.
Then it started to do random things..
a) shutdowns on itself and try unsuccessfully restarting on itself (all the lights blinking, I have to unplug to interrupt the cycle)
b) does not power on at all
b2) power on but it stucks on the power and bluetooth lights and does not go on (like the power does not reach the HD)
c) power on perfectly (besides the fan error message) and works perfectly for a random amount of time (minutes, hours, seconds) (OS and HD are intact)
d) power on perfectly, works, and suddenly the video gets full of unreadable colored lines...
I have attempted to:
a) connect to the dock base, (it seems it stays on a bit more but could be random)
b) change the keyboard -- nothing changes
c) swap the RAM modules -- nothing changes
d) unplug and press the power button for a minute (it looks to increase the chance of a normal power on but I could not swear on this)
Is there any other attempt I may try or this is surely a mainboard issue probably due to some overheating I had for the "without fan" long use?
This machine is really nice, if there is any possibility to save it I would like to try.
Side question: is it still possible to buy a new motherboard for a X201s or this is not an option?
Thanks a lot in advance,
AC
I have a X201s which I had kept using for about a 2 years skipping the "fan error" message without major issues.
Then it started to do random things..
a) shutdowns on itself and try unsuccessfully restarting on itself (all the lights blinking, I have to unplug to interrupt the cycle)
b) does not power on at all
b2) power on but it stucks on the power and bluetooth lights and does not go on (like the power does not reach the HD)
c) power on perfectly (besides the fan error message) and works perfectly for a random amount of time (minutes, hours, seconds) (OS and HD are intact)
d) power on perfectly, works, and suddenly the video gets full of unreadable colored lines...
I have attempted to:
a) connect to the dock base, (it seems it stays on a bit more but could be random)
b) change the keyboard -- nothing changes
c) swap the RAM modules -- nothing changes
d) unplug and press the power button for a minute (it looks to increase the chance of a normal power on but I could not swear on this)
Is there any other attempt I may try or this is surely a mainboard issue probably due to some overheating I had for the "without fan" long use?
This machine is really nice, if there is any possibility to save it I would like to try.
Side question: is it still possible to buy a new motherboard for a X201s or this is not an option?
Thanks a lot in advance,
AC
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Re: X201s random shutdowns, power on issues
The "fan error" means you need to replace the fan.
Begin with that, e.g. from here: https://www.ebay.ie/itm/182433505551
At the same time you can clean it all up and refresh the thermal paste.
Begin with that, e.g. from here: https://www.ebay.ie/itm/182433505551
At the same time you can clean it all up and refresh the thermal paste.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
Re: X201s random shutdowns, power on issues
Ok, thanks.
I will give it a try but I am almost sure it will not be enough.
How I will "clean it up"?
By compressed air?
A
I will give it a try but I am almost sure it will not be enough.
How I will "clean it up"?
By compressed air?
A
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- Posts: 99
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:07 am
- Location: New York, NY
Re: X201s random shutdowns, power on issues
Compressed air probably won't do the job at this point. I recommend toothpicks to dig out the crud on the radiator prior to replacing the fan.
Egregious overbidder
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- Senior ThinkPadder
- Posts: 3831
- Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 5:49 am
- Location: Metro Manila, Philippines
Re: X201s random shutdowns, power on issues
You need to disassemble it to gain access to the fan. In the X201 family, that involves removing the system board. You'll also need to apply new thermal paste. You can lubricate the fan while you're at it.
Grab a copy of the X201s hardware maintenance manual (see the HMM link just below the site banner) and give it a good read.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E
Re: X201s random shutdowns, power on issues
Thanks, I will give it a try.
Before to embark in the whole process, is there any test I may try to be sure MB is still ok and the problem is just the fan?
I did try to power on with no RAM installed and it doesn't produce any sequence of beeps.
A.
Before to embark in the whole process, is there any test I may try to be sure MB is still ok and the problem is just the fan?
I did try to power on with no RAM installed and it doesn't produce any sequence of beeps.
A.
Re: X201s random shutdowns, power on issues
If you have a cat at home, look no further. A radiator's easy to clog with fine pet hair and weird restarts are a common symptom.
Also, you might want, afterwards, to try installing TPfancontrol.
Also, you might want, afterwards, to try installing TPfancontrol.
Workhorse: vanilla X61s. "Gaming": 14s-IWL. Drawer: X31, X201s (sold, couldn't get used to it...). Office: T560. First crush: X20. Fond memories: SXGA+ 770
Re: X201s random shutdowns, power on issues (dismantling! help needed)
I resume this my old post since 2 new fans are arriving.
And I have decided to try to dismantle both the X201 and the X201s to replace them.
Hope to have at least one working machine from the whole operation.
I am following both the manual and this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJZZSD8x9_8
I started with the X201s (which is almost never booting) so to have a bit of training for the X201 (still working but the fan just spins at power up but then stops and the laptop overheats--- if it wasnt' so risky this machine (SSD) is now completely silent!
I reached the point in which the MB is free and I have to separate it from the rest, to flip and reach the heat sink.
Question: I don't have the gloves they show in the video.
Is this risky?
Which precautions can I adopt in place of the gloves?
Where can I lay down the MB once detached?
Is ok on a neat sheet of paper?
thanks a lot in advance,
A.
And I have decided to try to dismantle both the X201 and the X201s to replace them.
Hope to have at least one working machine from the whole operation.
I am following both the manual and this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJZZSD8x9_8
I started with the X201s (which is almost never booting) so to have a bit of training for the X201 (still working but the fan just spins at power up but then stops and the laptop overheats--- if it wasnt' so risky this machine (SSD) is now completely silent!
I reached the point in which the MB is free and I have to separate it from the rest, to flip and reach the heat sink.
Question: I don't have the gloves they show in the video.
Is this risky?
Which precautions can I adopt in place of the gloves?
Where can I lay down the MB once detached?
Is ok on a neat sheet of paper?
thanks a lot in advance,
A.
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- Location: Sewell, New Jersey
Re: X201s random shutdowns, power on issues (dismantling! help needed)
It is odd they are wearing fabric gloves, I do not know why. As far as safety involving your hands goes I would just make sure your hands are clean and dry. It also would be a good idea to work on a table in a room with hard floors ( not carpet ) and wear shoes or be barefoot to reduce the risk of a static shock to the board. You can wear rubber gloves but it would not be necessaryachat_2 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 29, 2022 8:51 pmI resume this my old post since 2 new fans are arriving.
And I have decided to try to dismantle both the X201 and the X201s to replace them.
Hope to have at least one working machine from the whole operation.
I am following both the manual and this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJZZSD8x9_8
I started with the X201s (which is almost never booting) so to have a bit of training for the X201 (still working but the fan just spins at power up but then stops and the laptop overheats--- if it wasnt' so risky this machine (SSD) is now completely silent!
I reached the point in which the MB is free and I have to separate it from the rest, to flip and reach the heat sink.
Question: I don't have the gloves they show in the video.
Is this risky?
Which precautions can I adopt in place of the gloves?
Where can I lay down the MB once detached?
Is ok on a neat sheet of paper?
thanks a lot in advance,
A.
Laying the board on top of some cardboard while you are removing the heat sink would be the best commonly available surface. A sheet of paper is not a terrible idea, but cardboard has a little give that might be good when you are unscrewing the heat sink.
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T440s i5 4300U | 128 GB | 8 GB RAM || Artix Linux | dwm
T440s i5 4300U | 128 GB | 8 GB RAM || Artix Linux | dwm
Re: X201s random shutdowns, power on issues (dismantling! help needed)
Thanks for your reply.It is odd they are wearing fabric gloves, I do not know why. As far as safety involving your hands goes I would just make sure your hands are clean and dry. It also would be a good idea to work on a table in a room with hard floors ( not carpet ) and wear shoes or be barefoot to reduce the risk of a static shock to the board. You can wear rubber gloves but it would not be necessary
Laying the board on top of some cardboard while you are removing the heat sink would be the best commonly available surface. A sheet of paper is not a terrible idea, but cardboard has a little give that might be good when you are unscrewing the heat sink.
I thought those were anti-static gloves actually...
I did try then today on a piece of cardboard, but unscrewing the heat sink (and disconnecting the fan) has been harder than I thought, will see if I managed to destroy the MB...
A.
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- Admin Emeritus
- Posts: 23825
- Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2006 5:17 am
- Location: Loch Garman, Éire
Re: X201s random shutdowns, power on issues
Make sure you have a proper ESD Precision Phillips PH0 screwdriver, such as those from Wiha or Wera or Stanley, and not some cheap Chinese knockoff from the supermarket around the corner.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
Re: X201s random shutdowns, power on issues
Just wondering (after reading about X201 and other Thinkpad similar problems):
should I give a try to the "unplug and replug the CMOS battery" procedure?
or the risk to brick the laptop is too high?
(I bought this one second hand and I don't know if there is any bios password or similar)
A.
should I give a try to the "unplug and replug the CMOS battery" procedure?
or the risk to brick the laptop is too high?
(I bought this one second hand and I don't know if there is any bios password or similar)
A.
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