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T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

T60/T61 Series
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smw6230
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T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#1 Post by smw6230 » Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:04 pm

I don't want to brick a new mobo so I figure I'll ask first.

I've assembled aT61 NOS motherboard and all connections look ok. But whenever I try to power the laptop on the fan starts, lights light up, the fan stops, and the laptop NEVER boots to POST (or anything on screen).

I last did this 9 years ago so I'm rusty but I used the HMM and a video and I can't figure out what I've done wrong. Both NOS mobo descrete fan were purchased from here so I'm sure they are good.

I've tried removing RAM sticks and I get the same result.

Any ideas?

I suspect its simple but I'm stumped.

Cigarguy
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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#2 Post by Cigarguy » Mon Jun 01, 2020 11:17 pm

Hmmm....you've removed everything, including memory sticks and not getting the 1-3-3-1 memory error beeps. Double check that the CPU is seated properly and the tightening screw is screwed down. On a couple of instances I forget to screw down the CPU and got nothing. Also while you are at it double check that there is no short anywhere. I once had a long screw in the wrong location that was causing a short. Fortunately nothing was damaged and the T61 worked fine once I removed and replaced with the proper length screw.

smw6230
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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#3 Post by smw6230 » Mon Jun 01, 2020 11:24 pm

Cigarguy wrote:
Mon Jun 01, 2020 11:17 pm
Hmmm....you've removed everything, including memory sticks and not getting the 1-3-3-1 memory error beeps. Double check that the CPU is seated properly and the tightening screw is screwed down. On a couple of instances I forget to screw down the CPU and got nothing. Also while you are at it double check that there is no short anywhere. I once had a long screw in the wrong location that was causing a short. Fortunately nothing was damaged and the T61 worked fine once I removed and replaced with the proper length screw.
I checked the CPU and I fasten it down. New thremal paste on CPU & GPU. The works. Now I can't get the fan/machine to turn on at all.

"Long Screw". Oh, boy.

Sounds like I have to take this apart again tomorrow to test. But the thing is I have a spare T60 and, while I have a couple sets of screws, I essentially did a screw transfer.

P.S. If it means anything I haven't heard a single beep yet from this machine. That struck me as curious.

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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#4 Post by RealBlackStuff » Tue Jun 02, 2020 12:47 am

If you installed a Penryn CPU (T8100/T8300/T9300/T9500/X9000) before you applied Middleton's BIOS, that's what can happen.
Put in an older T7100/T7300/T7500 CPU and try again.
Then apply M's BIOS, only then swap CPU.
You also need to fill in the System-Unit serial number and UUID using this HMD program.
Make the BIOS System-Unit serial number something like this: 889026UMYFRANK
Also make a new laptop bottom sticker with: TYPE: 8890-26U, S/N: MY-FRANK
Must have a valid MTM in BIOS, S/N can be anything you like.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.

PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine
.

TuuS
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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#5 Post by TuuS » Tue Jun 02, 2020 1:58 am

My first concern would be the right class of cpu is used. It is a penryn capable board so flashing the bios isn't required, but the right class of cpu is

With a working CPU chip it should beep without ram installed.

TuuS
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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#6 Post by TuuS » Tue Jun 02, 2020 2:03 am

Also check that you properly modified the chassis so the screw hole near the former modem doesn't touch the motherboard

smw6230
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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#7 Post by smw6230 » Tue Jun 02, 2020 4:44 am

RealBlackStuff wrote:
Tue Jun 02, 2020 12:47 am
If you installed a Penryn CPU (T8100/T8300/T9300/T9500/X9000) before you applied Middleton's BIOS, that's what can happen.
Put in an older T7100/T7300/T7500 CPU and try again.
Then apply M's BIOS, only then swap CPU.
You also need to fill in the System-Unit serial number and UUID using this HMD program.
Make the BIOS System-Unit serial number something like this: 889026UMYFRANK
Also make a new laptop bottom sticker with: TYPE: 8890-26U, S/N: MY-FRANK
Must have a valid MTM in BIOS, S/N can be anything you like.
I swapped the T9300 that I had been using on an old Intel board. I figured Penryn capable so it should work. Nope. I disassembled the board and put in an T 2400 from a parts spare I purchased.

Nothing.

Originally I got power for a second, lights, then shut down (no beeps).

Now I'm not even getting power to the laptop.

I did not know that I have to fill in the serial number. Sounds simple enough but is that something that I need to do BEFORE I even power on the laptop? I suspect afterwards (hence my predicament).

Hopefully I'll do this right. Here are a couple of pictures. Does anyone see anything that appears wrong.

https://ibb.co/G008mHf
https://ibb.co/LJn0dF1
https://ibb.co/dkjP8S3
https://ibb.co/yfD5664
https://ibb.co/dDpJ7Yp

RealBlackStuff
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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#8 Post by RealBlackStuff » Tue Jun 02, 2020 5:01 am

T2400 belongs in the T60 machines, not in a T61.
It will fit, but not work.
Try a T7100/etc. that I mentioned above.
Check the silver fan clamp, you may need to cut a corner (marked between blue ink).
Image
Fill in the BIOS-data after you are finished with your mods + Middleton.
(Make a USB-stick as described in the HMD Readme).

PS: your LED-mod is going out today.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.

PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine
.

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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#9 Post by atagunov » Tue Jun 02, 2020 6:12 am

..so fan starts but no beeps; what does a T61 beep with? I was having no beeps in an X220 because the speakers were not connected; I then connected the speakers and then had the beeps (my RAM was bad).
X220, 2 *T520

smw6230
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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#10 Post by smw6230 » Tue Jun 02, 2020 7:00 am

I may have several problems. I don't know but per a "wise man' (here) I need to modify the frame and remove a/the modem mount(s) pictured below.

[img] https://ibb.co/r2CCCPh/img]

Obviously I don't want to mess this up so can anyone specify from exactly where I am to cut out?

RealBlackStuff
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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#11 Post by RealBlackStuff » Tue Jun 02, 2020 8:08 am

If you leave the modem-connector as is, the modded frame should look something like this:
Image

But if you remove the modem-connector, you only need to do the lower, red-circled one.

atagunov
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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#12 Post by atagunov » Tue Jun 02, 2020 9:30 am

...also is it possible/easier to test with motherboard outside of the frame?
X220, 2 *T520

smw6230
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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#13 Post by smw6230 » Tue Jun 02, 2020 9:55 am

RealBlackStuff wrote:
Tue Jun 02, 2020 8:08 am
If you leave the modem-connector as is, the modded frame should look something like this:
Image

But if you remove the modem-connector, you only need to do the lower, red-circled one.

Heading 2 HomeDepot now for a dremel.

I'm going to cut the following piece on my mobo to match your picture. I'm just going to shave off this bump and make it flat.

https://ibb.co/VWfNVW8

Any dremel bit reccomendation?

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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#14 Post by RealBlackStuff » Tue Jun 02, 2020 10:06 am


smw6230
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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#15 Post by smw6230 » Tue Jun 02, 2020 12:35 pm

RealBlackStuff wrote:
Tue Jun 02, 2020 10:06 am
Something like this: https://www.ebay.ie/itm/322520384697
Welp did the cut. I think it's passable.

Rear view.

https://ibb.co/JQJ9nWT

Super 88 that end off and reassemble.

Thanks for everyone's help.

cadillacmike68
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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#16 Post by cadillacmike68 » Wed Jun 03, 2020 12:50 am

Just me being un-knowledgable here but why do you have cut the frame when putting a T61 mobo in a T61 chassis with a T61 fan?
600 600X
760LD FUBARd
T21 2647 T22 2647 1@ 1GHz SXGA+ 4 more; T23 2647 1@ 1.2GHz SXGA+ 3 more
T30 2366-88U 2GHz; 2366-83U 1.8G; 5@ 2366-LU0/66U; 2367-KU6 FUBARd
T41 T42 T43
T60 T61 8897 2.4GHz SXGA+; 8898 2.4Ghz; 6463 2@ WSXGA+; 7658 2.5GHz; T61p; 6 more T61s
T500 2
T530 W530

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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#17 Post by RealBlackStuff » Wed Jun 03, 2020 1:05 am

A FrankenPad has a 14.1" T61 motherboard in a 15" T60 chassis.
You mean to tell us that you didn't know that?
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.

PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine
.

cadillacmike68
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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#18 Post by cadillacmike68 » Wed Jun 03, 2020 8:44 pm

RealBlackStuff wrote:
Wed Jun 03, 2020 1:05 am
A FrankenPad has a 14.1" T61 motherboard in a 15" T60 chassis.
You mean to tell us that you didn't know that?


I knew that, and suspected something like it.

BUT the OP never mentions it and the letters franken do not come up until your post.
600 600X
760LD FUBARd
T21 2647 T22 2647 1@ 1GHz SXGA+ 4 more; T23 2647 1@ 1.2GHz SXGA+ 3 more
T30 2366-88U 2GHz; 2366-83U 1.8G; 5@ 2366-LU0/66U; 2367-KU6 FUBARd
T41 T42 T43
T60 T61 8897 2.4GHz SXGA+; 8898 2.4Ghz; 6463 2@ WSXGA+; 7658 2.5GHz; T61p; 6 more T61s
T500 2
T530 W530

RealBlackStuff
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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#19 Post by RealBlackStuff » Thu Jun 04, 2020 12:23 am

Ah, but I knew that OP is making a FrankenPad, as I just did a LED-mod for him.
And his other questions also pertain to a T60 chassis.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.

PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine
.

cadillacmike68
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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#20 Post by cadillacmike68 » Thu Jun 04, 2020 4:37 pm

That explains it. I'm still not ready to try and make a frankenpad. I have 11 T61s already, but I'm open to Eventually getting a T60, just to fill out the collection.

On that...

The boss lady has noticed an increased amount of flat black boxes with ThinkPad all over my den and dining room table. Methinks I'm in more hot water than I can handle.
600 600X
760LD FUBARd
T21 2647 T22 2647 1@ 1GHz SXGA+ 4 more; T23 2647 1@ 1.2GHz SXGA+ 3 more
T30 2366-88U 2GHz; 2366-83U 1.8G; 5@ 2366-LU0/66U; 2367-KU6 FUBARd
T41 T42 T43
T60 T61 8897 2.4GHz SXGA+; 8898 2.4Ghz; 6463 2@ WSXGA+; 7658 2.5GHz; T61p; 6 more T61s
T500 2
T530 W530

Natakranta
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Re: T61 NOS Nvidia mobo installation problem/question

#21 Post by Natakranta » Wed Jun 10, 2020 5:15 am

RealBlackStuff wrote:
Tue Jun 02, 2020 10:06 am
Something like this: https://www.ebay.ie/itm/322520384697
Ordered. Thanks! I'll need them soon for my Frank build. Now back to ROI Taxation studying :mrgreen:

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