another A21M bites the dust

[tai1spin]

I have an A21M that just bit the dust with the dreaded 'won't turn on' problem. Since this was handed down as a secondary play computer, I took it completely apart. I'm fairly certain the mobo is dead, however since the CPU of the embedded type, I can't swap mobos and and use the old CPU. So the question is, is there a source most of the forum members know of where one could buy refurb motherboards for the laptop I have (A21m 2628-E1U) . I'm looking on Ebay but figured someone else might have better suggestion. I'm not looking to spend more than 50 dollars as this is pretty old tech and not really worth spending more than that.
Thanks in advance

[christopher_wolf]

Welcome to the Thinkpad Forums

You could post a WTB in the Marketplace here and see what is being offered.

[energizer]

I have an A21M that just bit the dust with the dreaded 'won't turn on' problem. Since this was handed down as a secondary play computer, I took it completely apart. I'm fairly certain the mobo is dead, however since the CPU of the embedded type, I can't swap mobos and and use the old CPU. So the question is, is there a source most of the forum members know of where one could buy refurb motherboards for the laptop I have (A21m 2628-E1U) . I'm looking on Ebay but figured someone else might have better suggestion. I'm not looking to spend more than 50 dollars as this is pretty old tech and not really worth spending more than that.
Thanks in advance

Is the power connector loose from the motherboard? Also try removing /replacing the CMOS battery. Are there any error codes or is it just a blank screen? Does it work with an external monitor? Let me know. Thanks.

[tai1spin]

I have an A21M that just bit the dust with the dreaded 'won't turn on' problem. Since this was handed down as a secondary play computer, I took it completely apart. I'm fairly certain the mobo is dead, however since the CPU of the embedded type, I can't swap mobos and and use the old CPU. So the question is, is there a source most of the forum members know of where one could buy refurb motherboards for the laptop I have (A21m 2628-E1U) . I'm looking on Ebay but figured someone else might have better suggestion. I'm not looking to spend more than 50 dollars as this is pretty old tech and not really worth spending more than that.
Thanks in advance

Is the power connector loose from the motherboard? Also try removing /replacing the CMOS battery. Are there any error codes or is it just a blank screen? Does it work with an external monitor? Let me know. Thanks.

I don't know if power connector is loose. My mom had IBM service it and they said something along those lines a long time ago. I saw that the power connector (male) on the motherboard seemed pretty sturdy as it was, as it appeared to me, encased. I'll take it apart again and check. I did remove the CMOS as part of the disassembly and that did not seem to help when I re-inserted it after re-assembly. No error codes, only a brief flicker of the hard drive lights and that's it.

[schen]

No need to take it back apart and in most cases, you probably wouldn't be able to see a "cold solder" joint anyway. You can check by plugging it in and see if the charge battery light comes on; if not, you might have a A/C connector problem. Then you can wiggle the connector around from the outside and see if you can get the light to come on, if you can and it might even stay lit if you hold it a certain way, then the A/C connector is your problem. Then you can either replace it or try resoldering your old one and see if it works. I did that on an i1400 two years ago and it finally gave out again recently.