A31p crashing

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ivan_uemlianin · #1 Post by **ivan_uemlianin** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:35 am

Dear All

I have a problem with my Thinkpad A31p, which is my main development machine. I need to know asap whether it can be fixed or whether the machine is just finished. Please help.

A couple of minutes after I switch on, it switches itself off. It doesn't go into shutdown or anything: there's just a quick, quiet little whine or squeak, and it's suddenly off.

This crashing happens almost every time I switch on, and the machine is unusable unless I can fix this. I've managed to back up everything I need. The data on the hard disk seems to be fine and sometimes I can get logged in and even launching applications before it goes off. That makes me think it's not a software or OS fault.

If I boot into the BIOS screen immediately after one of these crashes, an error message is briefly displayed before entering the config screens. The message says something like:

Error 0251: CMOS checksum bad. Using default configuration.

However, if I switch off before/without such a crash and go into BIOS, this error message does not diplay.

Looking around on the web it seems that Error 0251 is evidence that the CMOS battery should be replaced. But doesn't a dodgy CMOS battery usually mean the machine won't start up at all? Would a dodgy CMOS battery cause crashes in an already running machine? More importantly, would replacing the CMOS battery be sure to fix this problem?

Can anybody tell me or help me find out (a) what's happening and (b) whether this can be fixed easily or whether I should just get a new computer. I admit it is fairly venerable but it's (been) a great machine: even if I have to retire it I'd like to find a way to fix it.

Finally, if a new CMOS battery is definitely what I need, where is the best place to buy one?

Thank you for your patience.

Best wishes

Ivan Uemlianin

#2 Post by **Harryc** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:41 am

I had a similar problem on an A31. It turned out to be a bad system board. The 'squeak' noise came from the IDE cage area, even with the hard drive removed.

fasterbybike · #3 Post by **fasterbybike** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 7:03 am

ivan_uemlianin wrote:Dear All

A couple of minutes after I switch on, it switches itself off. It doesn't go into shutdown or anything: there's just a quick, quiet little whine or squeak, and it's suddenly off.

Classic overheating symptoms. These P4 machine tend to run hot anyway. I suggest installing mobile meter and checking what the CPU temp is prior to the crash. If overheating seems to be the case then strip the machine down using the hardware maintenance manualand clean, clean , clean all the lint and accumulated crud out, especially in the fan. Check the thermal pads around the GPU to see if they need replacing too.

Finally reassemble using Arctic Silver or similar between the CPU and the fan.

ajkula66 · #4 Post by **ajkula66** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 7:05 am

A bad BIOS battery won't cause the machine to shut down, although there's no harm in replacing it...are you getting the "wrong time and date" error as well?

It sounds to me that your problem is somewhere along the lines of a corrupt BIOS, with likely another issue or two in tow...and I'll agree with Harry that you're likely going to need a new motherboard...

Good luck.

ivan_uemlianin · #5 Post by **ivan_uemlianin** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:00 am

Thanks very much for your comments!

I'm afraid the overheating idea doesn't ring true, but the other two comments ring very true.

Buying a new motherboard for a laptop!? Is that even possible? How much time and money would it cost? Surely I might as well just get a new machine.

Best

Ivan

basketb · #6 Post by **basketb** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:46 am

look on ebay. Used A31(p) motherboards are not as expensive as a new laptop.
Having said this, I recently replaced my (still in every way functioning) A31p with a T61p. And except for the screen (UXGA IPS vs. WUXGA TN), the T61p is better (faster, cooler, lighter) in every respect. The T61p's display is still usable for everyday work, though (just in direct comparison it pales).

ajkula66 · #7 Post by **ajkula66** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 12:05 pm

Given the infamity that follows A31p motherboards regarding the GPU problem, I'd never buy one from an unknown source...but that's me...

ivan_uemlianin · #8 Post by **ivan_uemlianin** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 1:22 pm

I don't like the sound of hunting for second hand motherboards either. I'll look into a new laptop instead.

Thanks very much for all your comments. BTW I posted at forum.lenovo.com the same query a few hours earlier than I posted here: there are still no replies at all.

I'll check back in case there are more comments, but I consider the case closed.

Best wishes

Ivan

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