T43 can't access bios

[mgb]

Trying to get a T43 running. When I turn it on, I get the Thinkpad splash screen. But pressing "Access IBM" button does not get me anywhere past the splash screen. I press F1, and get "Entering IBM Bios Setup Utility", but then nothing.

Any suggestions? I don't have the original HD, but do have replacement and the Recovery CDs. But can't get to the point where they will run.

Thanks in advance.

[ajkula66]

Classic symptoms of a failing/loose Southbridge chip.

Have the chip reballed, or mobo replaced.

Good luck.

[lukee]

Hi ajkula66, do you know by what is the southbridge problem caused? Location of chip itself prevents some physical exertion, so is the problem caused by an overheating of SB?

[ajkula66]

The guy to answer that question would be Nick (poshgeordie) since he's seen more messed up SB chips than anyone around here.

My guess would go along the similar lines as the GPU issue - a high number of heating/cooling cycles that adversely affect the BGA.

My $0.02 only...

[poshgeordie]

The guy to answer that question would be Nick (poshgeordie) since he's seen more messed up SB chips than anyone around here.

My guess would go along the similar lines as the GPU issue - a high number of heating/cooling cycles that adversely affect the BGA.

My $0.02 only...

Some of them are just sooo messed up that I'm thinking of starting up a Traumatic Heat Stressed SB's Councelling service.

The SB controls many laptop / PC components such as USB, Keyboard, Audio, Ethernet, Wireless, hard Drive etc, and is a very hard working chip which can get quite warm in use.

It's soldered to the motherboard by hundreds of tiny (0.6mm dia) solder balls made of lead-free solder. This type of solder does not respond well to hot / cold cycles, and over time the solder components break down and the solder joints between the chip and the motherboard fail (break), causing problems with either one or more of the above components.

Symptoms

On switch on there will be lights and activity, but a blank screen (rather like the GPU solder ball issue).
To diagnose if it's SB or GPU, when you have a such a blank screen, if the laptop immediately powers down when the on/off button is pressed, it's likely the SB, but if it takes a few seconds of pressing down the button before it powers off, it's most likely the GPU.
This is a general statement, since we have occasionally seen the problem due to a very broken GPU.

Laptop's dead. But note there can be many other reasons for this.

Laptop powers up to Splash Screen, but unable to get into BIOS (F1) or Select Boot From (F12).

Starts Loading onto operating system but freezes (display still present), and hard disc light not flashing. Pressing down to the right of the Trackpad starts up the HD again.

Fully loaded into OS but USB doesn't work or reads 1.1 speeds.

No audio or crackling audio.

And so on but these are the major symptoms and the laptop may have one or more present.

We are repairing more T43's with unsoldered SB than GPU's, and this also applies to any T4xp Thinkpad which is fitted with a metal topped GPU.
Fortunately it's not difficult to reflow / reball, but we are coming across a major problem where the occasional SB chip is bonded to the motherboard with clear epoxy compared to red/orange/black dots. The dots are quite easy to remove but the epoxy it actually impossible because it extends under the chip into the first two or three rows of solder balls where it cannot be reached (dissolving with chemicals works up to the solder ball line but doesn't penetrate beyond there).
The only thing we can do with such chips is to literally grind them off without any damage at all to the motherboard and then to fit a brand new chip.
Overall very difficult and annoying since this epoxy (like the dots) doesn't stop the solder ball failures. The reason why it may be there is to keep the chip in position during the manufacturing process, but I don't think so.

[mgb]

if the laptop immediately powers down when the on/off button is pressed, it's likely the SB, but if it takes a few seconds of pressing down the button before it powers off, it's most likely the GPU. This is a general statement, since we have occasionally seen the problem due to a very broken GPU.

Mine requires about 2 to 2.5 seconds to power down. As Nick described, it "Laptop powers up to Splash Screen, but unable to get into BIOS (F1) or Select Boot From (F12).".

So sounds like the Southbridge, right?

[poshgeordie]

@ mbg: I'd go for the SB with those symptoms.

[mgb]

In looking through the forum, I don't see any consistently reliable source to reball/reflow the motherboard - on my side of the Atlantic. Let me know if I'm wrong on that. Even GPU Medics, which seems to have a large number of complaints, apparently only addresses the GPU, not the SB.

Otherwise, I guess I'll look for a replacement motherboard. Or sell the laptop as is for parts.

Thanks for the diagnostic help.

[poshgeordie]

Hi - I see what you mean. I wish I could help you out but shipping costs to and from the UK are so expensive that it's not worth doing.

Bear in mind that if you do get a replacement board that it may well have the same problems now or in the near future, but it's a great pity having to break up a T43 as well.

You may want to think about going for an Intel GPU'd board (FRU39T0324, FRU39T0464, FRU42T0067, and probably some more), where we have never seen an unsoldered GPU, but they still get SB problems. But by going with one of these you potentially half the problem!
You'll need to buy the correct Fan Assembly for it though (FRU26R8197).

I think all other parts are interchangeable.

[mgb]

Nick, thanks for the suggestions. Int'l shipping costs do make it uneconomical, otherwise it would be winging it's way to you.

It is a shame to have to break up the T43, but as you noted, a replacement board is likely to have the GPU problem. I will keep an eye out for the Intel board and fan. Of course, still subject to the SB issue I have today.

[ajkula66]

Also, if your current LCD is 14" SXGA+, it will not work with an Intel board.