T43 boot problem / high CPU usage / workaround?

[runbei]

This is sort of the last stand with my T43. I really would like to resurrect it, but it looks like it's caught in a Catch 22 situation.

1. A T43 won't let you boot from CD or USB if it shows signs there's a virus. The CPU operates normally for about 30 seconds, then runs at 100% and stays there, effectively freezing the computer. I can't really diagnose, because from that point the laptop is a brick. (Yes, I've tried all the boot-order variations.) What I'd like to do is install Linux, at least as a temporary step to see if the T43 still runs normally with a new OS.

2. I understand that the T43 won't accept just any old hard drive, and that the compatible drives are expensive. Ideally, I would purchase a bare drive and see if the laptop will boot from a Linux CD at that point. I don't want to spend a lot on the HD, as I can get a more recent laptop for not much more (e.g., Dell Latitude D630 for $130-$150.).

Hate to bleep-pile what's essentially a very decent machine. Doesn't sit well. Anybody know about relatively cheap HDs that work with a T43? Can I boot from CD with a new HD in place? Boy, IBM sure pushed the security deal to the edge.

[Cigarguy]

Sounds like you got a hardware problem. I would suspect it's the infamous Southbridge/GPU problem. Sounds like it'll boot OK enough but once everything heats up, it'll crash.

[runbei]

Thanks, Bill. The T43 boots okay, but no way from CD or USB. Per another thread, this is a feature of ThinkPad HD's. There's security built in so that if the computer suspects there's a virus, it won't let you boot from a CD/USB. And because the CPU immediately goes to 100%, there's no way I can check for a virus - the computer becomes unusable - frozen - after 25-30 seconds. Still wondering if there's some way I can boot from CD if a new, blank HD is installed in the machine. Then I could install Linux and problem solved.

[ajkula66]

Per another thread, this is a feature of ThinkPad HD's. There's security built in so that if the computer suspects there's a virus, it won't let you boot from a CD/USB. And because the CPU immediately goes to 100%, there's no way I can check for a virus - the computer becomes unusable - frozen - after 25-30 seconds. Still wondering if there's some way I can boot from CD if a new, blank HD is installed in the machine. Then I could install Linux and problem solved.

Hogwash.

The machine does not check for a virus whatsoever, at any stage in the game, unless the OS is installed and has an AV as a part of it.

You can use "any old hard drive" as long as it's 9.5mm/2.5" PATA/IDE drive, you'll just get a warning on boot if the drive is not whitelisted, press Esc and it will continue to boot normally.

Remove the current hard drive and try booting a "live" Linux CD then. Try several different distros, and preferably a couple of media drives, just to be on the safe side.

Good luck.

[runbei]

Thanks! In the thread where I picked the apparently mistaken information about virus checking, that's what the original poster ended up doing - pull the HD and boot from a CD (Windows in his case). Will try it when I have time, and report back. When I tried disabling the HD in the bios boot list and then booting from CD, it didn't work - wouldn't boot, gave a message: "No OS found." Possible the CD-RW/DVD drive is bad, or intermittently bad, or not showing up at the wrong moment. But it is readable from Windows.