Thinkpads Forum

Hi all, I have just picked up another T400 very cheap spares or repairs NO HDD, battery or PSU and 1 faulty usb but it was only £20 with a docking station so I couldn’t say no.
Stuck in a HDD and loaded win 7 and it seems to run ok but gets a lot hotter than my other one base and left hand side very warm.
4gb ram If I run memtest it seems to run so long 40 mins to an hour usually gets through one pass and then freeze, overheating, Or other issue? I noticed it has switchable nvidia graphics so disabled these and just tried with the intel but still crashing-froze just before 1 hr 30. Not used it that much but it hasnt crashed in windows just seems very warm on my lap
Any suggestions?
Probably gonna open it up anyway as wouldn’t mind replacing the keyboard as it’s a Scandinavian one. Don’t know if I am up too removing heatsink and doing thermal paste but will certainly clean the fan.
Also does anyone know if the keyboard from my old Z61t that I was thinking of scrapping will be usable on it , both are widescreen 14 inch?
Many Thanks

Sounds like it's overheating. Clean fan and apply thermal paste.
Of course you knew that already.

blink wrote: 4gb ram If I run memtest it seems to run so long 40 mins to an hour usually gets through one pass and then freeze, overheating, Or other issue?

Re-run the test once you've cleaned the heatsink and re-applied thermal paste. If it keeps on crashing one of the DIMMs is likely defective.

I noticed it has switchable nvidia graphics so disabled these

That would be ATi, not nVidia on a *00 series system.

Also does anyone know if the keyboard from my old Z61t that I was thinking of scrapping will be usable on it , both are widescreen 14 inch?

Yes it will fit like a glove.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Many Thanks for the advice guys, Sorry yes George ATi Graphics he advertised it as nvidia for some reason.
Ok a little (unfortunate) update.
I opened it up to clean & apply thermal paste but then when trying to reattach the keyboard i think i broke the connector on the motherboard

I really should be banned from tinkering inside laptops as i am far too hamfisted.

Oh well bought another cheap spares/repairs NO HDD 1gb ram one locally cheap that is running well & has a good battery. I used the ram from this one. Only slight issue is the optical drive seems jammed in the bay. It still works so no biggie. Just the release catch wont move.

Now just bought a x220 with no hdd do not have a lot of 7mm drives or any caddys (Just ordered a couple from china) but tried the one from my T420s & looks like it has a similar heat issues. Very hot on top left base & running at between 70 - 85 in speed fan. Don't think i will attempt the same on this one

Buying 2nd hand laptops requires that one should be able to perform maintenance on them.

I don't know if ham-fistedness can be cured, but my advice would be:

1. Read the manual carefully, and keep consulting it as you work.
2. Don't get too excited -- keep a slow, deliberate pace.
3. Don't use excessive force. This can happen when you're too excited, hence #2.
4. Don't rely on memory alone when it comes to screws and which holes to put them.

Thinkpads are a godsend because the service manuals (HMMs) are readily available. Contrast that with Toshiba, who sends cease and desist letters to anyone that hosts Toshiba service manuals on their web sites.

Earlier today, I disassembled this X220 I'm currently typing on to replace the thermal paste. It's a bit bothersome, because like most X series, I have to remove the mainboard just to get to the heatsink.

Thanks once again guys for your added suggestions it is always appreciated. As well as being naturally 'ham fisted' heavy handed I also have a disability that causes dexterity issues so it is rather more difficult for me than most to do this type of thing.
I got a magnifying glass to try now but i still cannot get it connected Oh well another laptop for my upcoming scrap spares/repairs sale lol.