w520 Motherboard fried

[ThinkpadUser858]

Hello

I have a w520 from 10/2011 that I really like

I sent the motherboard to a repair lab in order to replace 3 fuses (f1 f2 f6 related to LCD backlight)

They replaced the fuses but now the motherboard is fried (1 long - 2 short)

Everything but the LCD backlight was working properly before I sent the MB for repair

I had to clean my CPU with a lot of Ethanol but waited exactly 15 hours before switching power on

After cleaning with Ethanol I waited 2 hours before doing thermal compound and blow a lot of air everywhere

I can replace the MB but I am scared this operation also destroyed my CPU

I cannot test my CPU, my other Thinkpad has another socket

This CPU is hard to find, almost impossible and this machine is only interesting with a fast CPU because it starts to be old

I will appreciate your advises

Do you think a bad motherboard can destroy a CPU?

If I have only 1 long - 2 shorts bips, it means the CPU is OK? Or I will have 5 short bips?

Thanks in advance

[theterminator93]

The long, two short beep sequence usually indicates GPU issues.

If your motherboard is the Quadro 1000 variety, they go for (last I looked) about $50-$70 on feebay. The Quadro 2000 flavor is harder to find and more desirable, so when they do come up they are closer to $200.

I doubt the CPU was harmed, unless it was deliberately mishandled or abused. If the motherboard has enough operating logic to give you a beep code that says the GPU is bad, then the CPU is probably fine. Usually when a bogus CPU is installed you get no activity of any kind.

I had to replace a couple of the LCD fuses (the board driver fuse and the backlight fuse) when I was experimenting with getting the IPS display in - and I managed to do it using a cheap department-store-grade soldering iron. I have no idea how a "professional" electronics repair shop would have undertaken such a "minor" task - but if you can prove that the system worked before you gave it to them, you really should have them foot the bill to have a different shop (since they have proven their incompetence) repair the board - OR pay for a replacement.

[RealBlackStuff]

Check the fuses they supposedly replaced.
If you are halfway handy with a soldering iron, you could try to piggy-back solder a new one on top of the old one.
It might not bring the board back to life, but it will give you something to do in the meantime...

[ThinkpadUser858]

thanks for your answers

i am not 100% sure it's 1 long 2 shorts but it seems

first bip is 1 second

then nothing for like 3-4 seconds

then double bip, 1/2 second each

then nothing nothing

CPU was a little hot after 2 boot attempts, around 50/60 C, it's maybe a good sign

weird scary thing: when I first booted after the repaired MB install, I had just 1 bip, then instant reboot, then the described 1 bip - 2 bips

theterminator93: this is exactly what I think too. it was such a minor task, I really don't understand what this lab did

they looked to be professional but I think this motherboard was too complex for them, they usually do electronics for automatic gates and building stuff

here is their website: http://www.acjelectronic.com/ they really look pro if you are not yourself a pro I think

I am in Europe and I don't think I can ask compensation, or maybe if I work a lot on this, with a good lawyer

this motherboard was 5 years old and I used it a lot without cleaning the thermal unit

this was my first laptop-workstation and it took me time to realize these machines need maintenance

this is while cleaning the machine that I destroyed the LCD cable and then destroyed the LCD backlight

I will appreciate if you can confirm my BIOS bip thing is GPU related

thanks a lot

[aldywaani]

Any service provider should give a Warranty over the repaired item to all of it's eligible customers. Despite their locations.
You SHOULD claim them. Let them know and acknowledge that your repaired board is faulty.

Did you re-assembled the board by yourself?
Make sure you got everything seated properly. I assume its an LCD connection issue or DIMMs

Is there any physical damage cost by the shipping?

Anyways, what model is your CPU?
I have W520, Intel core i7 2760QM with Intel HD 3000 Graphics & Nvidia Quadro 2000M.

Here's some links for your reference:

2760QM : https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/322183911841

W520 Board with Quadro 1000M: https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/141519839668

A Used W520 with Q2000M: https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/131867274214

And here's all the Beep codes means:
https://support.lenovo.com/id/en/documents/ht035729

Good luck!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ThinkpadUser858]

thanks for your answer

i have the i7-2960XM 2.70GHz

actually everything works since i replaced the motherboard

i don't think i can fill a claim against this electronic business

i cannot prove my MB was really working before i sent it

in France it's complicated to do lawsuits

it costs money, take time and you have to prove everything you say with evidence documents

i don't think anyone in France fill claims below 5000 EUR damage

also, it's 50% my fault, i was sure no one in France will be good to do electronic repairs

we just have food here

[T0nk]

Hi,

I suppose i fried my "new" W520 motherboard (FRU: 04W2029). I don't know, how, i just have a supposition.

The machine worked when i received it, but i started to play with the processors. Because why not. So i replaced the I7-2820QM processor the W520 came with my "old" T520 I5-2520m processor.
After the "transaction" the W520 beeps 1-3-3-1 if the memory sockets are not populated, and shuts down within 3 seconds if any of the memory sockets are populated. By the W520 Hardware manual the beep code means DIMM, or Main board error. The immediate shutdown probably means short-circuit. Both processors are still working, also the memories. The i7 is working in the T520.
After i realised the problem, i looked for a replacement main board on ebay. There, one of the sellers write, that it is only for I7 processors.
So, my question is: it is really possible to fry a W520 motherboard just with inserting an I5 processor?

Have a nice day for everione!

[RealBlackStuff]

Those mobos should take any CPU from that generation.
Maybe you ran it without properly securing the CPU in the socket? (screw at the top of the socket)

[T0nk]

Those mobos should take any CPU from that generation.

Yes, i assumed this too.

Maybe you ran it without properly securing the CPU in the socket? (screw at the top of the socket)

Totally improbable. I am currently using the T520 after the processor "experiment" to write this into this forum.

[T0nk]

Happy weekend!

I ordered a replacement W520 mobo, and replaced it. The system produces the same symptoms.
It is possible that maybe the I7 processor damaged somehow?

Mannaflood!

Update: First I tried with my T520 power supply, with the stronger W520 one it works perfectly.