R40 Unexpectedly Powers Off

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billyjoebob · #1 Post by **billyjoebob** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:17 pm

I've done a lot of searching, and this problem seems different from some of the other (similar) ones I've seen.

I've had a Thinkpad R40 for about 4 years, with absolutely no problems. About a week ago, it began to power off unexpectedly...as if someone held the power key down for a few seconds.

The computer is not running hot. I've been monitoring the CPU temp, and the fan kicks on at exactly 60 C (keeping the temp between 50-60).

There are no errors being logged after each shutdown, which happens 3-4 times/day.

I've run every motherboard test that I can, with all passing.

Here's where it get's quirky:

I have an aftermarket battery, which is about 18 months old. While the battery maximizer shows it as in good shape, I ran a program which indicates that it's only running at 58% of it's initial capacity. Also, all the info that is displayed regarding the battery is a bit screwy (for example, it shows the battery going through over 20,000 cycles).

When the computer powers off, I have to unplug it if it's on AC before I can power it up. If I don't, the power button will have no effect.

Does anyone think this could be related to the battery? I know that the battery has to be installed for the laptop to run, even if on AC. Would a failing battery cause sporadic power outages?

#2 Post by **Harryc** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:29 pm

You should be able to run it without the battery. Pop it out, run the machine on AC, and see if the machine still powers down.

billyjoebob · #3 Post by **billyjoebob** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 3:30 pm

You're right, Harry. Laptop runs fine without the battery. And I was sure I was dealing with a battery fault

What could be causing this problem?

Is there a separate power supply on the motherboard that could be going and would cause this? Could it be the motherboard itself?

Is there any comprehensive test that I could run which would give me an indication?

Also, could a problem like this be remedied by a BIOS update? I'm a bit reluctant to try one, considering that I'd be $crewed if I lost power in the middle of a flash. But if it could help...

#4 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 7:12 pm

Well, I am not sure why you think it's not the battery, after all when it is installed the machine fails. I'd try replacing it.

billyjoebob · #5 Post by **billyjoebob** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 10:28 pm

I've had the shutdown occur several times while plugged in and running on AC...

ajkula66 · #6 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 10:31 pm

If that's the case then you have a motherboard problem. No "if" "and" or "but" there, I've seen it on R40, T30 and A31 and every single time it turned out to be a mobo problem with no resolution apart from swapping it.

Good luck.

billyjoebob · #7 Post by **billyjoebob** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 10:08 am

A little more detail:

It just happened again, while on AC power. I had just moved the laptop on the table slightly, and it shut down (but if I jiggle the power cord while it's running, no problem).

It couldn't be restarted right away using the power button. I tried removing the battery (leaving it plugged in) and it still wouldn't power up. I had to remove the AC jack, and reinsert it. Only then would it power up. The confusing thing is, these shutdowns also happen while on battery power.

Is the consensus still that this is a motherboard issue, or is there a power supply component (hopefully user replaceable) that is known to cause this?

pt1209 · #8 Post by **pt1209** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 10:53 am

My guess from out in left field.. A bad after market battery and the connection by your AC Adapter if at just the right angle disconnects (keeping with this idea reseat the plug from the outlet cord to your AC power supply block ). I have the original battery in my R40(5 years old) and it also shows good condition but it is definitely shot, I ordered a new Genuine IBM Battery and it should be here Monday or Tuesday, like you even with the battery in I will move my Thinkpad just a little and it will lose connection with the AC connection and go into shutdown mode, this doesn't happen everytime, more like a a couple times a day....

billyjoebob · #9 Post by **billyjoebob** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:52 pm

[i]even with the battery in I will move my Thinkpad just a little and it will lose connection with the AC connection and go into shutdown mode, this doesn't happen everytime, more like a a couple times a day...[/i]

Sounds like we are dealing with the same ailment, which is a relief. I really didn't want to get into a motherboard repair or replacement with a 4 year old machine.

I ordered a genuine replacement IBM battery off an E-Bay vendor, which will hopefully be here by Thursday. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

And thanks again for all the help, everyone!

pt1209 · #10 Post by **pt1209** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:04 pm

I will post any changes(or non changes) when my battery arrives, which should be tomorrow, wondering if you bought the same battery on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Genuine-IBM-R32 ... 286.c0.m14

billyjoebob · #11 Post by **billyjoebob** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:56 pm

Nope. The one I bought was about $10 more (of course

)

billyjoebob · #12 Post by **billyjoebob** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:34 pm

Got my battery this afternoon. Talk about prompt shipping!

Charging it now. I'll post results over the next few days, if for no other reasons so that the next poor guy having this problem with an R40 can benefit from my trials and tribulations...

billyjoebob · #13 Post by **billyjoebob** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:33 am

Oh well...

Less than 18 hours, and I just had a shut-down.

Unless anyone else has any suggestions, I'm guessing that I'm looking at a motherboard issue.

***edit***

Is there any possibility that this problem could be related to a software or registry issue?

I'm not opposed to re-imaging the hard drive if there is a chance it could help. I just don't want to go through that for nothing...especially if I'm going to be dealing with random shut-downs during the process.

ajkula66 · #14 Post by **ajkula66** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:39 am

I'm sorry to say that shutdowns on these machines, in my experience, have absolutely nothing to do with software...and everything to do with hardware, namely system board...

billyjoebob · #15 Post by **billyjoebob** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:28 am

That's what I was afraid of.

Do you (or anyone else) have any experience on getting a motherboard repaired, as opposed to replaced?

I've seen some companies that charge between $100-150 flat rate for a repair. A used replacement motherboard will cost about the same.

Thoughts?

ajkula66 · #16 Post by **ajkula66** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:30 am

I don't think that anyone has determined-at least not to my knowledge-what the exact problem is, so no repair is possible IMHO.

Good luck.

pt1209 · #17 Post by **pt1209** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:03 pm

billyjoebob wrote:Got my battery this afternoon. Talk about prompt shipping!

Charging it now. I'll post results over the next few days, if for no other reasons so that the next poor guy having this problem with an R40 can benefit from my trials and tribulations...

You paid $10 more but received it much faster, I'm still waiting!! Thought for sure it would have been here by now,, hopefully it will arrive tomorrow, I read your post about still having the shutdown issue and it has me a bit worried,,

pt1209 · #18 Post by **pt1209** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 9:39 pm

New battery finally arrived and all seems fine here, haven't had a shutdown all day with the new battery installed be it with battery only or connected to AC adapter, guess you might be right about the mainboard problem

R40 Unexpectedly Powers Off

R40 Unexpectedly Powers Off

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