A30p power management problems - Resolved

[adj]

I just acquired an A30p in very good condition. I love the UXGA screen, even better than the 770x-SXGA.

So far I have
- replaced the HDD with a faster, larger model
- replaced the mini-PCI wireless card with a TP-Link N model (also used in my x30 with no problems)
- increased the memory to 1GB
- loaded latest BIOS and Embedded Controller code
- loaded WinXP SP3
- loaded the latest drivers and updates
- set up the Power options to standby/Hibernate when the lid is closed and when the Fn-F keys are pressed.

What I can't do is have
- the unit suspend when I close the lid
- the unit resume from either Suspend or Hibernate. It seems to start windows, but the screen stays dark.

Any thoughts and suggestions would be much appreciated.

[Neil]

Did you get your graphics driver from Lenovo Support, or is it the Windows default? I ask, because it seems like the problems you are experiencing are caused by a faulty graphics driver...maybe.

[adj]

Thank you for the reply.

I tend to agree withe your analysis.

I am currently using the Microsoft driver
ATI Technologies Inc. 6.13.10.6278
However I have used the Lenovo when I first played with the machine.
Version 7.79.7.3.3-030116a-007802C
I even looked at the ATI now AMD site but couldn't find any Mobility Radeon drivers.

Any other thoughts?

[adj]

Please may I try a different approach to this issue.

Would someone with a A30p-WinXP system that is properly handling Power Management be willing to compare systems and identify any differences that I can learn from?

If so, please PM me to start a conversation.

Thank you.

[Adda]

The A30 is very fussy about which video driver is used, I recommend installing the ancient one from Lenovo's website.
You'll generally avoid a lot of trouble if you install the drivers using ThinkVantage System Update.

[adj]

Thank you for the contributions.

I think that I have made some progress, but have not solved what looks like a Catch-22.

The only substantive hardware change I have made is to upgrade the Mini-PCI Wireless Lan Card. So I did a fresh install of WinXP but did NOT install the drivers for the upgraded card. The Fn/4-12 functions worked both to suspend/hibernate and resume.

I went back and reinstalled the original mini-PCI Wireless Lan Card and this time did install the drivers. Success, Fn/4-12 worked both ways.

The Catch-22 is that I can either suspend/resume with the original card or get access to my WPA2 Network with the new card, but not BOTH with a single card.

Any ideas from the group on how to resolve this dilemma?

I have yet to get the Lid to shut off the back-light when it is closed.

I removed the keyboard and top frame just to see if I could get some inspiration. What I found is that the micro-switch on the system board is about a cm to the right of the hole in the frame that matches to the lid - how does that work?

Best wishes,

[Adda]

If the backlight remains on with the lid closed, then it's probably a mechanical failure.
When you close the lid, as little arm presses down on a button, that button cuts power to the backlight, and should do so regardless of OS or no OS at all.

If you press that button with your finger, does anything happen?

[adj]

Thank you for the contributions.

Success on the Catch-22 situation!!!!

I am using a TP-Link861N and it was the driver supplied by TP-Link that was causing the situaton. When I updated to the chipset drivers, Atheros AR922X, all started to work.

As Adda suggested, I think that I have a mechanical problem with closing the lid.

The underside of the top frame look as if there should be a bar bridging the cm between the lid switch opening and the switch on the system board. If there should be something here, it is broken and missing.

Can someone confirm that there should be something under the top frame.

Thank you,
Alan

[Neil]

Yes, there should be a spring metal lever on the underside of the keyboard bezel bridging the space between the lid pin and the system board switch.

[adj]

Thank you for the contributions which have helped to resolve these problems.

Off to find a replacement top frame, ............

Regards,