ThinkPad 755CD - system hangs randomly

[goldeneagle]

I've been struggling with a problem today with my 755CD. It hangs at random - usually, the problem started when loading PCMCIA drivers, but I've found it'll hang at the dos prompt, while running windows, and even after pressing F5 when booting and running diags from CheckIt (in particular, the video benchmark test).

At first, I thought it was my IC DRAM card, hard drive, drivers, etc. Now, I'm wondering if it could be the system memory (which is a removable daughterboard on the bottom of the planar). Anyone else had any similar issues? Testing the memory in Easy Setup shows the memory is okay, but I don't fully trust the test. I'm not wild about opening up the system to replace the memory with a spare board I have, but wanted to get others' thoughts.

[JBUK]

The HDD is probably the weakest link at this age. Have you another one to try ? Have you got anything you can run when booted into DOS to prove/disprove the HDD theory (unless that is how you are running CheckIt).

[axur-delmeria]

Try running memtest86+.

[goldeneagle]

The HDD is probably the weakest link at this age. Have you another one to try ? Have you got anything you can run when booted into DOS to prove/disprove the HDD theory (unless that is how you are running CheckIt).

I could boot off either PCMCIA or floppy. As for the hard drive, it's a 2GB SSD with a manufacture date of 2008. The same hard drive works great on a 755C and 755CE, so I highly doubt it's the drive. This is why I'm wondering if it's the planar, memory attached to the planar, or video memory on the planar. I'm almost tempted to stick in the planar from a 755CSE that I'm using for parts and see if that solves the issue (while obviously moving over everything else that makes the 755CD unique, namely the video daughtercard up on top).

Either way, I have several 2GB and 1GB SSDs I could try, as well as working conventional drives (but I'd rather not - slow and noisy).

Next chance I get to work on it, I'll try memtest86+ and see if that changes anything.