Thinkpads Forum

Ok, so this happens like 5+ times a day to me, the laptop sounds like i just shut it off (the fan stops, i think the hdd stops) but the screen is still on. Its fine for about 3 seconds and then bam its locked up and i cant move anything. What do you think this could be, i doubt its software related as ive reformatted once, and had the same problem when booting through knoppix.

Well then knoppix might be the problem, boot up with out it, and see if it still happens, If you'v been connecting too the internet, I would say it's a virus, even if one of your buddies gave you a file on a disc, it can still infect your computer. and here's my best guess, is that your laptop has just had enough, it has been used so much, that it's
just running out of miles, and kneed's a new engine (motherboard)
and maby a new hardrive, as you can see by my other post's I don't like the cooling desinge in the thinkpads, I am currently developing a new cooling desinge for the 600's that I will be posting my results.
I am awaiting some thermal grease compound, to complete my mod.

no, knoppix isnt the problem.. i usually run windows but i was using knoppix for a while to make sure it wasnt windows locking up. I reformatted once, so it cant be a virus. Probally has just been used too much, probally run a year straight now (24 hours a day) with only a few shutdowns untill this problem came up.

It sounds like a heat issue to me. I would blast out the air channel with compressed air and see if that helps.

Ensure the fan is running when the machine powers up, at least for a few seconds.