New R50P Sudden Death

[feathertop]

[read my next post for UPDATE - I'll have to return this machine]
I've just bought an R50P. Yesterday was the second day I was using it, and while I was surfing the net, it suddenly crashed. It was not an OS crash because I did not see any error message, nor blue screen, the machine just went right into power off.

I pressed the power-on button, it rebooted normally just as if nothing happened.

This phenomenon appeared on my old Sager laptop, and I was told it was either because of the motherboard or because of overheating. It is quite frustrating to experience this with a TP.

I saw some posts here pointing to similar problems appearing in A and G machines. Has anyone with R5x series experienced this? Any suggestions? Thanks a lot!

[AbsoluteRaleigh]

I've just bought an R50P. Yesterday was the second day I was using it, and while I was surfing the net, it suddenly crashed. It was not an OS crash because I did not see any error message, nor blue screen, the machine just went right into power off.

I pressed the power-on button, it rebooted normally just as if nothing happened.

This phenomenon appeared on my old Sager laptop, and I was told it was either because of the motherboard or because of overheating. It is quite frustrating to experience this with a TP.

I saw some posts here pointing to similar problems appearing in A and G machines. Has anyone with R5x series experienced this? Any suggestions? Thanks a lot!

I would expedct that kind of behavior from a Sager but not from your new R50p. Maybe it was a fluke. If the problem persists i would send it to EZServe... (I'm assuming the battery is correctly in place and a few other things...)

I have not seen any A series suddenly power off unless they had defective parts.

[feathertop]

Yeah, I think it might as well be a fluke, but the nightmare the Sager gave is still fresh in my mind. I just want to avoid going into the same situation now.

I'm pretty sure it is not about the battery. It is securly mounted and I don't feel anything loose there.

I have purchased next business day warranty, but I'm afraid it won't happen if I have a technician here.

Do you suggest me to return this one to get it replaced? Or maybe T is indeed better than R, and I should change it to a T42p?

[thePCxp]

I have an R51 and I haven't had that experience(or any other defect) before but it is sad that it happened to your R50p. If it happens frequently you should probably return it and get it serviced or replaced. And I agree not to expect that kind of behavior from a ThinkPad. Both the R and T series are the same(almost, I am mostly talking about the components like the system board, keyboard, etc...) the R series is a great ThinkPad so keep your R50p.

[feathertop]

I'm very upset to say that it happened again.

This is the 4th day I'm using it. I was playing a game, and it just went black all of sudden. After rebooting, everything went back ok. It should not be about the battery, because the laptop is plugged in AC power for two days. The system is reletively clean, with only a few programs I installed (Firefox, a few games that I played on my desktop PC and Compaq N600c without any problem, I did not even install MS Office, etc.).

I really like R50p's powerful configuration, so I am thinking to get it replaced, but my current one has been shipped from Hong Kong after 2 weeks' delay because of back order, I'm afraid I will still get a similar machine from the same product line.

Shall I change to a T42? Can anyone give me some advice?

[AbsoluteRaleigh]

I'm very upset to say that it happened again.

This is the 4th day I'm using it. I was playing a game, and it just went black all of sudden. After rebooting, everything went back ok. It should not be about the battery, because the laptop is plugged in AC power for two days. The system is reletively clean, with only a few programs I installed (Firefox, a few games that I played on my desktop PC and Compaq N600c without any problem, I did not even install MS Office, etc.).

I really like R50p's powerful configuration, so I am thinking to get it replaced, but my current one has been shipped from Hong Kong after 2 weeks' delay because of back order, I'm afraid I will still get a similar machine from the same product line.

Shall I change to a T42? Can anyone give me some advice?

It is rare but these things happen.

I do not personally know if IBM will "take it back" in exchange for a T42.

I would just call EZServe (1-800-IBM-SERV) and get the unit repaired.

If for example the unit has a bad system board, they will replace it. They're really fast and there is really nothing to worry about.

If you end up mailing it in be sure to tell them on the paperwork that the problem is intermittent.

[feathertop]

It is rare but these things happen.

I do not personally know if IBM will "take it back" in exchange for a T42.

I would just call EZServe (1-800-IBM-SERV) and get the unit repaired.

If for example the unit has a bad system board, they will replace it. They're really fast and there is really nothing to worry about.

If you end up mailing it in be sure to tell them on the paperwork that the problem is intermittent.

Since this is within 30 days, I guess I can return this thing and get a refund, so that I can buy a new T42, that is feasible, right?

I really like R50p, it's just that I'm afraid that I will be so unlucky to get another defective machine from the same bunch that came off the same product line.

[AbsoluteRaleigh]

It is rare but these things happen.

I do not personally know if IBM will "take it back" in exchange for a T42.

I would just call EZServe (1-800-IBM-SERV) and get the unit repaired.

If for example the unit has a bad system board, they will replace it. They're really fast and there is really nothing to worry about.

If you end up mailing it in be sure to tell them on the paperwork that the problem is intermittent.

Since this is within 30 days, I guess I can return this thing and get a refund, so that I can buy a new T42, that is feasible, right?

I really like R50p, it's just that I'm afraid that I will be so unlucky to get another defective machine from the same bunch that came off the same product line.

I highly doubt they just produced a defective batch of them. One bad one slipping out is possible... also anything is possible during shipping and handling, etc., etc...

I do not know enough about the first 30 days to advise on that. Someone else here likely knows & maybe they will follow up- but if you just call IBM they will tell you. Let us know how you make out. IBM has the best service and customer support out there. Actually, you could have had a working unit by now...

[feathertop]

Called IBM, since this is a configured system (I added 3yr on site NBD warranty), they ask me to return it and get a refund, I'm free to buy another r50p or t42 now.

Any suggestions?

[MobileGuru]

Suggestion: Pick up a T series instead of the R. Same config and goodies without the bulky and plastic feeling shell. The R5 is nothing more than the ugly sister of the T series IMHO.



You will gain additional battery life, a nicer and more compact chassis and a lighter carry weight.

[thePCxp]

My suggestion is that if you like the R50p get it(If you want a T42, get it if you want. The R series is like the twin brother of the T series). The R series is not too bulky and not too heavy, the G series is but I don't care. I got an R51 and I don't care if its made of plastic and I don't care what a ThinkPad is made of because even if its made of plastic, I know that it is going to last long(because its a ThinkPad!).(I also don't care about weight or thin/thikness). The only thing that matters to me is that the R5x is a ThinkPad. And for all of you saying that it looks ugly, it doesn't! I also want to tell you all, politely, not to talk crap on the R series or any other ThinkPad. ThinkPad's are ThinkPad's. They all have the same features(well, almost). Also, both the R and T series are the same(almost). I also gotta say that the R51 and the T42 both of them with the 15 inch screen kind of look alike.

[feathertop]

I agree, R50p definitely looks slick. You can barely notice the extra weight of 1 pound or so. TPs are great products, it took me 40 minutes yesterday to reset the machine to out-of-factory state, a very easy process. It's just that the machine I got was defective, so I need to switch it, and r50p is out of stock now.

I'll go for 2378FVU then. Thanks for all your suggestions!

My suggestion is that if you like the R50p get it(If you want a T42, get it if you want. The R series is like the twin brother of the T series). The R series is not too bulky and not too heavy, the G series is but I don't care. I got an R51 and I don't care if its made of plastic and I don't care what a ThinkPad is made of because even if its made of plastic, I know that it is going to last long(because its a ThinkPad!).(I also don't care about weight or thin/thikness). The only thing that matters to me is that the R5x is a ThinkPad. And for all of you saying that it looks ugly, it doesn't! I also want to tell you all, politely, not to talk crap on the R series or any other ThinkPad. ThinkPad's are ThinkPad's. They all have the same features(well, almost). Also, both the R and T series are the same(almost). I also gotta say that the R51 and the T42 both of them with the 15 inch screen kind of look alike.