T30 RAM problem

[madrigal]

Hi!
I have a T30 motherboard which came with a notorious RAM slot problem - the front slot has unsoldered pins. Except that all works fine. When trying to solder the pins I obviously created a shortage between 2 or 3 pins (I realized that lately). Motherboard was powered up several times before to find shorted pins. Now the shortage is removed (at least I think) but motherboard still does not work. When I turn it on without RAM the all known beeps 1-3-3-1 is produced. When a RAM module is fitted - no matter on which slot - when pressing power button all lights turn on and off as normally, fan spins but nothing more. The display is dark. Tried with external monitor - the same result.
My question is: is it possible the shortage to cause some additional damage. I know that lots of pins are grounded and the part of other pins are connected to 2.5V but as long as I can see the shorted pins are not connected to ground and to 2.5V.
If some additional measurements have to be done - I have some equipment and knowledge (except in soldering the tiny pins ).
Any help is welcome.

[jronald]

Yes, it it possible

Ron

[madrigal]

If someone have an interest I can upload the pictures of shorted pins and their exact numbers.

[Norway Pad]

I have no knowledge about the pin configuration here, so i can't help you there.

But this behavior, no 1-3-3-1 beeps, just the fan, lights and a dark screen, is the same thing as my T30 did when I tried a bad SODIMM module in it. So I am thinking: Have you tested the module(s) in a different machine, so you know it/they work? It's possible that the short circuit damaged the module(s) and not the board.

On the other hand, if the rear slot worked fine before you soldered the front one, and now it doesn't work, even if you use a known working module in it, I would say that something on your motherboard has been damaged. Northbridge/memory controller hub, comes to mind, as this is the main component working directly with the RAM.

I soldered the front memory slot on one of my T30s a couple of weeks ago. My forehead was quite sweaty by the time I was done, luckily it worked and the slot is working now. But I don't think i would have dared tried this stunt on a newer, more expensive laptop. Those pins ARE small.

Edit: Just out of curiosity, did you try to add solder to the joints, or did you just touch them and "reflow" them? I just touched my pins, one by one, with the tip of the iron for some seconds. On most of them I could feel the "squeak" when the solder melted, and I lifted the iron back off then. Adding more solder to these small joints that are so close together, is what I see as a sure recipe for some short circuiting, unless you have special equipment and special skills.

[tfflivemb2]

A little late to chime in, but I agree with the above. I think that you might have damaged the ram, while shorting the pins...

[madrigal]

Hi,
sorry for the delayed answer. I have to say that the mobo is finally SAVED!!!!!!!!!!
It turned out that there was another shortage between pins. After reading schematics I realized that it's very hard to blow the mobo making the shortage of RAM pins - between the ground and +2.5V pins have 4 or 5 pins of which 1 or 2 are not connected. In my case the shortages was between +2.5V pins and signal pins. Unfortunately the piece ot solder was stuck deep under the plastik RAM slot. As an addition due to my tries to remove the shortage one of the RAM slot pins was sunk in the plastik and I decided that the only way to deal with is to replace the whole RAM slot. I have a donor T30 mobo and skilled GSM professional. Replacement was successful and the mobo was saved.

[adrian6322]

Hello same problem here .after soldering ram pins .adding solder (my mistake) T30 dead ...so yes i tink still have some pins shorted .way under plastic connector .were i can get schematics .for this issue.to fix it .and forget about screen .just use external monitor ..
can somebody help me with the schematic issue ...working fine before soldering .take of spongy thing blue betwen mobo and hard drive enclosure T30 2366

tank you so much
adrian6322