BIOS beeps 1-3-3-1 when rebooting

[delingren]

I found this X60 in my company's dumpster and thought I would refurbish it by replacing the crappy keyboard and cracked palm rest. It seems to run Windows 8.1 pretty smoothly. The only issue I have had so far is when it reboots, it beeps 1-3-3-1 and blank screens. It doesn't happen when booting from cold. Any ideas where to start? It's a manageable problem but would be nice to get it solved. Thanks.

[rkawakami]

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

The 1-3-3-1 beep code means that the system has detected a memory problem. That it works when cold but then has an issue later on (when it has warmed up some), typically points to a marginal memory device on one (or both) of the memory modules. Download a copy of memtest86+, boot the system with the CD or USB drive and let the diagnostic run for some time. Make sure you only have ONE module installed when you run the diagnostic. Allow the program to complete at least 3 passes through all of the "patterns". If no errors are detected, move that module to the opposite memory slot and repeat testing. If it again passes, that means the module and both slots are good. Repeat testing on the second module.

I would NOT run the system while this problem exists. I would not consider it "manageable" because you could be getting a memory corruption even if it appears that the OS is running okay. Sooner or later the system will access the bad memory and that could lead to an error in some of your data or random freezes or blue screens.

edit: Almost forgot to give you a pointer to the software http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

[Saucey]

I heard that beep when I tried to boot a spare x61t...
Opened up the ram and it didn't have any in it.
Maybe the ram isn't seated properly, but works fine when cold.

[joester]

It could also be a fractured solder joint on the RAM connector (easy repair if you have the tools and skills). Seen that on other models.

Joe

[delingren]

It went away after I replaced the RAM. Thanks.

[wagnew73]

In a lot of cases this in not ram related, it is motherboard related. The issue is a cold solder joint.

There is a quite a simple fix for this if your are mechanically inclined or a little curious. Regardless this fix is not only proven and tested by myself on various computer including a Lenovo E530c. What have you got to loose.

1: remove the motherboard make sure all heat sync pads are removed.
2: lay motherboard flat on a cookie sheet
3: heat oven to 385 degrees yes you heard me right OVEN!!
4: bake the motherboard for 9 minutes (use a kitchen timer) this will re-flow all solder joint on the motherboard.
5: remove carefully from the oven being sure for the mobo not to slide, let cool for 20 minutes
6 assemble laptop and power it on. this works 90% of the time.

Good Luck!!