T400s Randomly Shuts Down!?

[UberSteve]

Hi All,

I've begun experiencing the problem being discussed over at the Lenovo Forums (see: http://forum.lenovo.com/t5/T400-T500-an ... d-p/144056)

Just wondering if anyone here with a T400s has experienced the same thing?

Here are the pertinent details:
Model: 2801-CTO (Shipped on 08/21/2009)
OS: Win7 64bit RTM with updated drivers from the Lenovo Win7 BETA page
BIOS Version: 1.06 - 1.01 (the version the unit shipped with and currently the latest)
System Specs as per order page (order# 2DT84F):

44C7942 SBB I.C2DPSP9600(2.53GHZ,6MB
42V8173 VBB MS WIN VISTA BUSSINESS 64
44C8113 SBB G W VS BS64 US ENGLISH
44C7944 SBB 14.1WXGA+TFT,W/LED BCKLGT
42X6309 VBB 4GBPC3-8500 1067MHZ2DIMM
44C8005 SBB KEYBOARD US ENGLISH
44C7947 SBB ULNVTRKP,TCHPD)FNGRPRREAD
44C7970 SBB CAMERA SUB CARD
44C7966 SBB 128GB SLD ST DRV,SR.ATA
44C7959 SBB DVDRC8XMXDL LR,U SLM ATA
44C7973 SBB 5-1 MEDIA CARD READER
44C7954 SBB 6 CELL LI-ION BATTERY
41W1787 SBB CPK NORTH AMERICA
44C7953 SBB BLUETOOTH W/ ANTENNA
44C8666 SBB INTEL WIFI LINK 5300
44C7950 SBB INT WRLSSWDAREANTWRK UPGR
44C8040 SBB LNG PCK US ENGLISH
41C9169 THKPLUS TP 2YR PICKUP DEPOT

433810U THINKPAD MINI DOCK PLUS SERIES 3
43N3412 THINKPADTHINKPAD SERIAL ATA HARD DRIVE BAY ADAPTER III

Symptoms:
Since receiving the machine, it has randomly shut down twice. Once while the machine was sitting idle on the couch (AC connected), and another time while the machine was sitting idle in the dock (AC connected). The first time it happened, no other devices were plugged in. The only "out of the ordinary" configuration of my system is that I have a 200GB 7200 HDD in the UltraBay (using UltraBay Adapter III) in place of the DVD-RW drive.

I really hope this isn't a hardware problem, as I bought the machine in the US (while on business), but now i'm back in Australia. Returning it is going to be a real PITA!!!

Here's hoping for a fix soon!

-Steve

[Louis]

I just read the thread on the lenovo site thanks for the link! I am planning on buying a T400s in the next few weeks, I'll definitely keep an eye on this thread... seems people are leaning on it being a hw issue....
Sorry can't help, but thanks for the heads up!

[twister6]

I have exactly the same config as your T400s, except I'm running 320GB WD Scorpio Black in UltraBay (adapter III). I never experienced anything like this. Does it shutdowns completely or goes to sleep/hibernates? Has it ever happen with battery, not AC-plugged in? When AC-plugged in, do you see battery maintaining 100% charge? Another thing, although not related to T400s, but one of my co-workers with T60 had similar issue which turned out to be due to a bad battery. Can't tell you why because in theory it shouldn't matter once you plugged in, but his problem went away once battery was replaced.

[UberSteve]

Does it shutdowns completely or goes to sleep/hibernates?

Completely shuts down, no blue screen, no error, system just looses power.

Has it ever happen with battery, not AC-plugged in?

No, hasn't happened while on battery. The two times it's happened, once was with the AC power adapter connected directly (and while I wasn't using the machine, I did see it happen), the other time was while it was in the dock (I didn't see it happen, just came back to the machine to find it off (and windows complained of improper shutdown when I booted it back up)).

When AC-plugged in, do you see battery maintaining 100% charge?

Yes, sits at either 99% or 100%.

Another thing, although not related to T400s, but one of my co-workers with T60 had similar issue which turned out to be due to a bad battery

I haven't got a 2nd battery, but two other work collegues in my office have T400s' on order, so I might be able to swap with them when they arrive.

-Steve