T400 Stuck at post screen

[Ameharhughes]

My ThinkPad T400 is failing to get past the POST screen, there are no errors no any beeps. If left it for 2 days and it didnt go past.

See picture ---> http://imagebin.org/index.php?mode=image&id=220796

I have tried, with and without the power supply and a different one, I have tried with and without the keyboard and Palm rest, I have reset the CMOS and I have tried both stick of RAM in each Module slot, individually and together. I have tried with and without the hard drives.

Im at a complete loss as to what I can do, I miss my laptop

any help im really appreciated

[rkawakami]

I think you were almost there... try removing all of the MiniPCI Express (wireless) cards and see if the system gets past the splash screen. If so, then replace one at a time and when (if) the hang occurs again, then the last card you re-installed is probably defective. If you also have a modem daughter card, remove that as well.

[Ameharhughes]

OMG why didnt I think of that......

Thanks a lot Gonna do this now and pray.....

[richk]

On that model, it usually means a USB port is damaged (normally, one of the two on the left). They had problems with them and will fix it if you have warranty remaining. Otherwise, you can try straightening the pins with a needle, or at least get them not to short to each other or two the side of the port. Otherwise, you need to replace the board.

[PJs]

Thanks a lot richk! You've just saved my T400:))

[EasyMac308]

What I do with the broken USB ports (assuming non-warranty) is I straighten the pins and make sure it will boot. Then, I fill the damaged port with hot glue and call it good.

If I already had the mobo out of the case I'd probably desolder the port and either replace it, or leave it unpopulated. I haven't felt the need to bother though.

[DJL329]

Thank you all for the information regarding the USB ports. I was having the same problem: the system would hang at the Lenovo splash screen during POST, but I didn't know the cause. After reading this thread, I realized it was the 2 busted up USB ports. By bending the USB pins away from each other, I was able to get my T400 to boot again.