T20 random freezing, apps chrashing, hanging after POST

[Zak]

I have a T20 (2647-41U) running Linux (Debian). Recently, it started misbehaving in the following ways: applications crash at random, the system freezes completely and the system hangs on boot at the POST screen following drive detection but before starting the bootloader. Pressing F1 or F12 at this point displays the appropriate 'entering setup' or 'generating boot device list' message, but does not actually enter setup or display a boot device list. Power-cycling the machine does not cause it to go past this point, but removing the battery and AC adapter does.

I did not make any changes to my software environment near the time this problem started. I have checked for bad memory using Memtest86 and found no errors. I am willing and able to perform any sort of repair up to and including replacement of surface-mount chips, but I'm not sure how to go about troubleshooting this because it's so random. I do have a spare motherboard with a bad BIOS (displays error 0175 on boot, IIRC) that I can steal parts from if required.

[betabill]

I had the same in XP Pro, removed the PCI ethernet/modem daughtercard and the problem disappeared.

[Zak]

Thanks. I removed the card and it hasn't crashed since, but it's only been a couple hours, so I can't be sure the problem is really solved. I'm curious - what made you think to try that?

[betabill]

Posted this issue in another forum, a senior IBM mobile support representative told me what to do.

http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=407418

[Zak]

That wasn't the problem; it just froze again.

Since that wasn't the problem, I put the card back in, which caused another problem: it complains about a PCI resource conflict and requires me to enter setup. I was unable to solve the problem in setup, so I removed the card again.

[betabill]

Another convoluted issue, ask Tigsman in that other forum.

[Zak]

Fixed, I think. I found several spots of corrosion between the pins of chips on the motherboard. A bit of electronics cleaner and a soldering pick got rid of it. The combo card is working again, it had no trouble booting and it hasn't frozen since.

Image 1 (58k)
Image 2 (86k)

[tfflivemb2]

Congrats on the repair. Hope it works.

However, word to the wise, you might want to change the photos to links, or change your subject line to include "<IMG>", minus the quotes.

There are many users (including mods) that use dial-up. Images slow down their connection.

Warning lines are pretty much required except in the photo sections of the forum.

[Zak]

There are many users (including mods) that use dial-up.

Sorry about that. I've used dialup recently enough to feel their pain. Still, it's easy to forget just how bad it is.