T61p Boot problems. Fan starts, then stops.

[ferreter007]

Hello all.
I've been searching the internet trying to fix my trusty T61p but nothing seems to be able to help so please help me.

Problem
When booting T61p the lightning bolt/'Z' is on the screen.
The laptop does not make it to the bios stage.
No sound is heard.
Nothing is seen on the display.
The fan starts briefly but then stops again.
When no RAM, correct 1-3-3-1 beeps.
EDIT:
When connecting to an external monitor, no change.

Attempted Solutions
I have:
- Hard reset
- replaced RAM
- cleared BIOS
- Checked for any loose wires

What to do next
???

Any help would be gratefully received. It's one of the most reliable machines I have ever owned and I don't think I'm ready to part with it just yet.

Thanks in advance

[RealBlackStuff]

Try booting with an external monitor.
If your machine has an nVidia GPU, that might be the culprit.

[ferreter007]

Thanks RealBlackStuff.
I do have an nVidia GPU
I have plugged an external monitor in and still the same problems.

Is there a way to check for certain if it is the GPU?
And if it is is there a fix or a full motherboard replacement?

Thanks again for your help.

[RealBlackStuff]

Unlike the T4x series, you can't put pressure on the GPU, as the nVidia problem is inside the chip itself.
You could try and check the fuses on the motherboard, (all marked like: F1, F2, F3 etc.) using a multimeter.
After that it's anybody's guess.
The only solution is replacing the motherboard.
If you don't need the GPU horsepower, I'd look for an equivalent with Intel graphics.
Everything from the nVidia board will fit onto the Intel board.
All you need to do is install another graphics driver.

[ferreter007]

Excellent.

Thanks again RealBlackStuff.

Guess I'm on the look out for a T61p motherboard

[ScottyBoy]

Excellent.

Thanks again RealBlackStuff.

Guess I'm on the look out for a T61p motherboard

There were a a couple of refurbished Intel GPU based motherboards, over on eBay UK, of late or alternatively you could post a WTB thread in the marketplace to see if fellow members have NIVIDA/Intel GPU motherboards for you to consider.

[RealBlackStuff]

You need a regular T61 15.4" Intel motherboard, not T61p (= nVidia).
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