A31p with some weird problems

[wujstefan]

Hello,

I have recently bought an A31p beautiful machine that seems to have some problems.

It boots just time to time - I press the power button, and sometimes the LCD remains blank, and sometimes it just boots correctly. 3 out of 10 boots are OK I would say...
When I remove the battery and start the machine on AC adapter, an error 0190 "critical low battery" is shown and it turns off.
It doesn't seem to charge the battery all the time - one time turned on and it was at 34%, another time (~2hours later, AC adapter 72Watt plugged all the time). Also, I have got a green batery LED on most of the time.

Successfully installed a WIN98 SE on the machine.
Any ideas of how to return this baby to full health?

[ajkula66]

Any ideas of how to return this baby to full health?

A new motherboard comes to mind...

Good luck.

[wujstefan]

Not very optimistic, really

I doubt there are any working mobos available for this model.

[ajkula66]

You might just have to buy a whole machine in order to get a working board...that's what I'll be doing soon...

Good luck.

[wujstefan]

If you tend to find more than one I will be extremely happy if you share this information

I believe I will have to do just the same. Are mobo problems that frequent in A3x?

[ajkula66]

Are mobo problems that frequent in A3x?

Yes.

Even when these machines were no 11-12 years old as they are now...

[wujstefan]

Whoa, this is nogood.

Are there any reasonable, reliable UXGA TP machines then? I want to sort out a system for my kids, and definietely want to get UXGA display

OFC will try to reanimate this A31p as well

[ajkula66]

Are there any reasonable, reliable UXGA TP machines then? I want to sort out a system for my kids, and definietely want to get UXGA display

Here's a list - from least reliable to most reliable - in my experience, IPS/AFFS FlexView models only:

1) A31p

2) T42p

3) T60p

4) T43p

Have fun...

[wujstefan]

Thank you, that is a great help. I will take a look after T43p with UXGA then. T60p is absolutely unaccessable I believe.

Also will let know if I will be successfull with A31P here

[RealBlackStuff]

Error 190 indicates a near-dead CMOS battery... those are not rechargeable.

[jronald]

Dead CMOS battery will do weird things. For maybe $2.00 USD throw a new one in and see what it gets you. Dont be surprised if it gains you nothing, but for $2.00 its hard to go wrong.

Looks like this, but do your own research!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-IBM-THINKPA ... 5d311e6e3e

Ron

[wujstefan]

Thank you Ron, it COMPLETELY fixed the problem! the system is now running like a chased deer! Great, thanks!

[jronald]

Outstanding!

Ron