Is it spill damage?

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Joy · #1 Post by **Joy** » Wed May 10, 2006 11:04 am

Hi, all.

My bought my T30 around three years ago. Recently, it started getting many problems. At first, the wireless card stopped working. Then, one of the two memory slots got broken. After that, the laptop can not start from time to time. Finally, the whole system can not start at all.

I then called IBM/Lenovo. It is still in warranty right now, so they have me send it back. After a couple of days, they told me that the problem is caused by spill damage and they won't cover it. I need either to pay around $900 to repair it or taking it back without repairing.

http://www.pbase.com/joyding/inbox

The link are the pictures that the billing department sent to me. They claim it is spill damage, however I don't really see how could it be spill damage. Can any professional help me out? Thanks a lot

JHEM · #2 Post by **JHEM** » Wed May 10, 2006 12:08 pm

Joy wrote:The link are the pictures that the billing department sent to me. They claim it is spill damage, however I don't really see how could it be spill damage. Can any professional help me out? Thanks a lot

Looks like spill or foreign body damage to me also!

Did you purchase this machine new or used?

Regards,

James

Joy · #3 Post by **Joy** » Wed May 10, 2006 12:54 pm

I bought it brand new. So it is really spill damage?

(

JHEM · #4 Post by **JHEM** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:01 pm

Joy wrote:I bought it brand new. So it is really spill damage? (

Certainly appears like it to me.

(Please update your profile with your location!)

Regards,

James

Joy · #5 Post by **Joy** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:08 pm

All righty....Would you please explain a litte bit how can we see the damage? I am just curious

JHEM · #6 Post by **JHEM** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:29 pm

Joy wrote:All righty....Would you please explain a litte bit how can we see the damage? I am just curious

There are foreign objects inside the case.

IBM's definition of "spill" isn't only used to describe liquid spills, but also any solid objects spilled on the keyboard or surround that wind up inside the machine. E.g., food particles, wood shavings, etc., etc.

Also, in the photo 4.jpg there appear to be the remnants of something shiny/sticky at the top of the keyboard where it fits under the surround.

Regards,

James

Joy · #7 Post by **Joy** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:36 pm

I got it. I will talk with them then.

Thanks for you reply, I highly appreciate it.

Highwayman · #8 Post by **Highwayman** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:58 pm

First thing I'd attempt would be a good general cleaning of the entire laptop. Please don't take offense but those pictures show a laptop in really deplorable condition. Get some non-conductive electronic spray-on cleaner and hose that thing down. Can't hurt.

#9 Post by **underclocker** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:59 pm

Disgusting. I once found a chicken bone in a desktop keyboard, but this T30 is worse.

As a pointer for others tyring to have warranty work done, if you use your ThinkPad as a food tray, consider cleaning it BEFORE sending it in for service.

Hint: WD40 cleans up spill stains very well. Really.

JHEM · #10 Post by **JHEM** » Wed May 10, 2006 2:08 pm

underclocker wrote:Hint: WD40 cleans up spill stains very well. Really.

Yes, but it's a conductor and the propellant is explosive!

I can't begin to remember the number of recalcitrant boat diesels I've coaxed into starting with a shot of WD40 over the years.

Regards,

James

#11 Post by **underclocker** » Wed May 10, 2006 2:17 pm

Explosive, probably; conductive, no...from a google search (others confirmed non-conductive, as well)...

WD-40 Lubricant

Every hydrographer needs the classic WD-40 lubricant in their vehicle. So many uses in the field with lubrication for sounding reels, suspension equipment and rust protection for any outdoor equipment. Non-conductive, can be used on electrical and electronic equipment also.

#12 Post by **underclocker** » Wed May 10, 2006 2:22 pm

More WD40 info...

http://www.wd40.com/Brands/wd40_faqs.html

"DISPLACES MOISTURE: Because WD-40 displaces moisture, it quickly dries out electrical systems to eliminate moisture-induced short circuits. "

I've used it for this purpose...

JHEM · #13 Post by **JHEM** » Wed May 10, 2006 2:33 pm

underclocker wrote:Explosive, probably; conductive, no...from a google search (others confirmed non-conductive, as well)...

When dry, yes. But IIRC it shouldn't be sprayed on energized circuits.

Regards,

James

#14 Post by **underclocker** » Wed May 10, 2006 3:36 pm

I can agree with that, energized circuits sound dangerous enough!

I have successfully used WD40 to clean up system boards and other electronic boards with spills and corrosion, with good results.

Highwayman · #15 Post by **Highwayman** » Wed May 10, 2006 3:51 pm

underclocker wrote:I can agree with that, energized circuits sound dangerous enough!

I have successfully used WD40 to clean up system boards and other electronic boards with spills and corrosion, with good results.

I have some non-conductive electronic spray at home and it does a great job cleaning up minor stuff, but I'm afraid that T30 needs a trip to the manual car wash and a good old fashioned hosing <just kidding>. In all seriousness, I'd like to have been a fly on the wall at IBM when those technicians first looked at that thing. It must have got a few laughs.

Is that a hole in the freaking keyboard by the #3 key?. This is just too much...

Highwayman · #16 Post by **Highwayman** » Wed May 10, 2006 4:02 pm

The images are no longer there, the person who posted them must have removed them. I wish I had saved them. That was one FUBAR'd T-30. Almost makes me think the whole thing was a put-on or joke. I would have been embarrassed to send anything that jacked up to IBM for maintenance work.

I got a great belly laugh though...

#17 Post by **underclocker** » Wed May 10, 2006 4:14 pm

I'm still laughing. It looks like the number keys were used to put out cigarettes!

I think a pressure washer would be the appropriate cleaning tool, then maybe an electric toothbrush to finish the job.

Yikes! By the way, I found the pix in my browser cache, so they can live on. Perhaps this was a joke.

May that hole is from a .22?

Highwayman · #18 Post by **Highwayman** » Wed May 10, 2006 4:21 pm

underclocker wrote:I'm still laughing. It looks like the number keys were used to put out cigarettes!

I think a pressure washer would be the appropriate cleaning tool, then maybe an electric toothbrush to finish the job.

Yikes! By the way, I found the pix in my browser cache, so they can live on. Perhaps this was a joke.

May that hole is from a .22?

You should post those pictures here so that other 'pad folks can see what a mess that thing was. Maybe the keyboard was used as an ashtray?

I'll check my cache...

Nolonemo · #19 Post by **Nolonemo** » Wed May 10, 2006 5:40 pm

Yeah, please post if you can, my curiosity has been piqued.

#20 Post by **underclocker** » Wed May 10, 2006 9:06 pm

Well, "Joy" is a new member and I don't want to scare anyone off if we're mean or harassing. Aren't we supposed to help each other?

On the other hand, the machine was so abused, how could Joy be serious? And, aren't we supposed to have some fun here, too?

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