R31 - cutting out idle

[Medessec]

I recently picked up this Thinkpad R31, and I've been looking to see how it runs. It seems to have all original hardware-the hard drive is a 30GB Hitachi, the battery texture doesn't look different from the rest of the laptop, and it was super hard to service, because the bolts were screwed in super-tight. But it is a bit of a mess... despite this, it boots up with no issues. Running it initially seems fine too-however I've found that when running some applications, such as trying to install something, the computer will randomly sit for a period of time(ranging from 20 secs to 3 minutes) and have random moments of freezing, and there will be no hard drive activity. If I leave the computer idle for an extended period of time, the computer will just indefinitely freeze, and I need to shut it off by holding down the power button.

Normally i'd attribute this to the OS install, and would just reinstall the OS, but after taking the HD out after the computer freezes, I've found it to be a bit hot, but not alarmingly hot. I figured it's normal in these older P-III laptops. But-is it a possibility the heat could be killing the HD at times?

I don't want to reinstall the OS, because it seems the laptop(on the face of it) has a clean install from a original IBM recovery disk-that is, the icons for "Register with IBM", the Thinkpad config software, Trackpoint config in the tray, all that is there. I kinda like that configuration, as I don't have any IBM Original disks myself, and Lenovo's driver download website is always running slow for the Thinkpads I need software for. It also has the world times Thinkpad wallpaper.

[Neil]

It's almost certainly overheating.
Check the CPU fan to make sure it even works at all.
If it's working, remove the fan, clean the dust off of it, and out of the ThinkPad, apply fresh thermal paste to the CPU and reinstall the fan. Should stop the overheating.
If the fan doesn't work at all...well then...get a new one.

[Medessec]

I have done this, even before the issue became apparent. I've been getting a lot of old Thinkpads, and servicing them all the same. I took the fan assembly out and dusted it, and applied new thermal paste on top of the processor. I suppose I can have another look to make sure the heatsink is contacting the top of the processor, or the fan is actually spinning, although I can feel hot air out the back while the computer is running. I'll just look at it again when I get the chance. But this makes sense-I was almost certain the heat was to blame.

[Neil]

I suppose it doesn't have to be heat, but it sure seems like it. If you're still thinking it could be something to do with the installed OS, or other software, then boot up a live CD of some sort and see what happens when running on a completely different OS and software. Also might reveal something about the RAM by running Memtest86+. Sometimes HDD errors (bad sectors and such) will cause problems, but usually BSOD type issues rather than a hard lock-up after a period of time. Anyway, please keep us posted as to how your trouble shooting goes.

[Medessec]

Update on this-I've just reinstalled Windows XP, and the issue is still present. The computer installed Windows XP just fine, and it boots up just fine from a cold start. However-almost every time it is booted, about 10-15 minutes, or even sooner, it just freezes, the screen display freezes, and there's no hard drive activity.

Plugging in the computer or unplugging it to run it off battery makes no difference. I've also tested the Hard Drive, it seems to be the original Hitachi 30GB, and it's perfectly healthy. As I mentioned, I reinstalled Windows, and the previous install had the same issue, so it's not the OS either. I've taken apart the laptop, dusted out the fan, and confirmed it turns. I've also made sure the P-3's die is contacting the heatsink, and I applied fresh thermal paste. SpeedFan shows nothing outside of the norm, the laptop shoots up to 60C when the CPU load goes up, but doesn't reach any dangerously high levels. And the CPU fan spins up just fine.

I've googled the issue and it seems some others are having the same issue, but no one seems to know the exact cause or the solution, and instead fire back the common "have you done this, have you done this" string of solutions, like the ones above, that I've already tried.

I'm out of ideas... and I want to ask-does anyone know of a common design issue or problem of the R31 that causes this to happen? Or is it something else I haven't tried, like a firmware update, chipset update, or a BIOS flash? I really have been wanting to try a BIOS flash, but I'm afraid the computer might experience the freeze up during the flash, and effectively brick the machine.

[Neil]

Well, you are making progress. Appearantly you have ruled out the OS install and an overheating CPU.

I don't see your report of the results of Memtest86+, so if you have not run that test, it's something else to do. I have seen faulty RAM do just what you are describing. RAM used to be the last thing I thought of, but now it's one of the first things I test, since it's so easy to do.

I doubt that firmware, chipset or BIOS updates will do any good. And you're right, they would be dangerous until you get the hardware issues sorted out.

[RealBlackStuff]

Stop buying up all the crap you can find, instead pay a bit more for one decent laptop instead of 3-5 junkers!
The R31 was built by Acer, and we all know how 'good' they are.
I wouldn't even LOOK at such a POS, let alone waste any time/money on it.

[Medessec]

Thanks Neil. I'll run some memory tests to see if it is the problem-but yeah, I think I might be out of hope with this machine.

I just kinda wound up with this thing, I was never a fan of the R-series for this reason. I wind up with a lot of busted laptops, and I do get most of them working... As for this one, it works perfectly fine otherwise... so I just figure it'd be great to sort the issue. But if I can't, then I really can't do much else with it-I might give it to a friend to see if he can get Linux running on it any different, or just part the thing out.

[gdrunk]

I came across this problem once, and it turned out the CPU needed reseating. Quite easy to do.

I'd also be looking at swapping out RAM and trying some different sticks, if you havn't already.

If it works, take the opportunity to stick a P3 1.13GHz in it

[Medessec]

i've tried the Memtest, it's produced some sketchy results... I'll have to do some swapping when I get around to it. I don't think I've reseated the CPU yet-I'll definitely have to try that. I'll report back to see if I get anything different!

[Medessec]

Update on this:

I decided to peel the thing apart again, and switch around the RAM. I've actually found that with the laptop partially disassembled, with the motherboard and heatsink exposed, the screen, keyboard and keyboard bezel not screwed in, the issue goes away. After fully reassembling the machine, the issue persists.

It's a really odd quirk... I'm not sure now what to do-it could be a pressure point issue or something, but I think I'm done with this laptop... I might just part it out or something.