Warranty claim in the UK - Flexing / Dodgy main board

[calumcousins]

Hi all.

I am new to this site having stumbled across it by chance more than anything else. Since doing so however, I have read with interest some of the posts on here regarding problems experienced with the T40 series of thinkpad.

The reason I am writing is because I too am experiencing problems with my T42 (2373) that sound like those people have experienced when a system board is on the way out - if I pick the laptop up by its edges while it is on, the screen goes blank, though it can currently be restored by pressing the plastic panel near the touchpad. It has however hung a couple of times when attempting to revive it, requiring a restart.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience of dealing with the IBM warranty dept. in the UK, or if anyone could even point me in the right direction of who to phone first! My first port of call would ordinarily have been the company I got it from, however, I bought this as a used import model and so cannot do this. I do however still have warranty remaining on it, as checked on IBM's website.

I would appreciate any help anyone can give me. Many thanks.

Calum.

[Kyocera]

It has been found that flexing the mobo causes problems similar to what you are describing. There is probably a lot of past posts on the subject, try a search. I have 15" t42 and always pick it up with both hands now after reading and talking to a friend who told me about this problem. I definately would start putting both hands underneath when you move it.

[calumcousins]

Thanks. I've been looking through the past posts and will start moving it around in the way that you describe.

I was just wondering if there is anyone on here who has delt with this problem through IBM Warranty UK, and if they could point me in the right direction of who to call...?

Thanks,
Calum.

[madodel]

I'm not in th UK, but if you just call the main support number fo the UK and tell them exactly what you stated here they should tell you to send the T42 to them and they will replace the motherboard. It appears to be a common problem because when it happened to me here in the US the phone support tech didn't ask a whole lot of questions once I explained that the problem I had with my T42p (2373-x31)progressed from occassional display blackout that was rectified by pressing on the keyboard next to the touchpad until it just died completely.

Make sure you remove anything you might have added like extra RAM and your harddrive before sending it back.

Mark

[Nick Y]

If it is of any help:
United Kingdom


01475-555-055 (30 day up and running support)
9AM - 5.30PM Monday - Friday (Local time)

(Standard warranty support)
Hardware: 08705-500-900
Software: 08457-151-516
ThinkPad 9AM - 6PM
ThinkCentre 8AM - 8PM Monday - Friday (Local time)

From http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4HWSE3
and http://www.lenovo.com/uk/en/

[calumcousins]

many thanks for your help!