T30 Boot Problem

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browntdb · #1 Post by **browntdb** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 12:08 pm

I have a T30 that I was using with PowerPoint with XP. The program crashed. After a reboot, I got the message that Windows had a severe error. It then would not load. After another reboot, the IBM Thinkpad screen would come up but only the CD drive would turn. Things finally progressed to the point where most of the time, the four icons light when powered up, the CD drive turns, but nothing else happens.

I have removed the battery, I have held the power key down for a minute to remove charge on the capacitors, and once in a while the IBM Thinkpad logo comes on, but if I click on F11 (or F12??) to change boot device, it says searching for boot device and hangs. At other times, I press F1 to get into the bios, and nothing happens. After a reboot, back to the black screen and nothing. Now it is only occasionally that I can get the IBM logo to come up.

I have changed hard drives and same situation. I don't think the MB has failed because it will still show some life on occasion, but I don't know. It is almost like there is a corrupted bios or something like that.

Anyone else have this problem? Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Terry

agarza · #2 Post by **agarza** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:36 pm

Have you had in the past overheating issues with your machine? Maybe there's an error with the memory, CPU, fan assembly. Did you also removed the CMOS battery?

darkdragoon · #3 Post by **darkdragoon** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:00 pm

It could be the fact that the CMOS battery is dying or dead.

Try removing CMOS battery and boot it up. At this point, it will prompt your to reset time and dates. And if it boots up correctly, you might need a new battery.

vlyne · #4 Post by **vlyne** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:50 pm

Simple things to also try: Reseat all removable cards and devices particularly memory chips. Inspect contacts and clean with an eraser. Take off battery and try to powerup with just A/C - any difference? No? Try the other way round.

spymac · #5 Post by **spymac** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:57 am

I am having the same exact issue with my T30. It has been sitting for a couple of months and I decided to do some more troubleshooting last night. I remved all non-essential components (bluetooth, extra mem, hdd, dvd, batt) and experinced the same symptoms.

I took apart the laptop to inspect the logic board and processor. Looks like the thermal material between the processor and heatsink burned off. I reapplied thermal paste, but it still does not boot. I am sure that I booted it too many times and the processor is shot.

I have another processor on order right now off of ebay, I will get back to you and let you know if this solves my problem. Ill take some pics to help you out if this works.

vlyne · #6 Post by **vlyne** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 10:47 pm

spymac wrote:I have another processor on order right now off of ebay, I will get back to you and let you know if this solves my problem. Ill take some pics to help you out if this works.

I'm really curious to see if that is in fact the problem. The thermal paste should be only a very thin smear. It shouldn't be burnt as the CPU is meant to shutdown well before that. Did you try taking off the CMOS battery and draining off residual charge (from the laptop)?

Let us know what you find with the replacement CPU.
Cheers

ArtShapiro · #7 Post by **ArtShapiro** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 8:03 pm

Do you have both memory slots populated?

The T30 is legendary for having one of the two slots fail, with various weird problems resulting - no boot for one.

I think it's the one closest to the front that fails, but I just shipped off my T30 this week as a gift, so I can't check. (Obviously I was affected by this problem.) Anyone?

Art

darkdragoon · #8 Post by **darkdragoon** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 8:23 pm

ArtShapiro wrote:Do you have both memory slots populated?

The T30 is legendary for having one of the two slots fail, with various weird problems resulting - no boot for one.

I think it's the one closest to the front that fails, but I just shipped off my T30 this week as a gift, so I can't check. (Obviously I was affected by this problem.) Anyone?

Art

Welcome to the club. Art.

danage · #9 Post by **danage** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:01 am

can you boot from DVD/CD? does the IBM thinkpad screen come up every time you turn the machine on?

spymac · #10 Post by **spymac** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 3:00 pm

Received replacement processor today and installed. Unfortunately same problem. It is the same 2.0 GHz pentium 4 M, however, it has a different stepping code.

Man, i was so sure it was the processor, since it had practically no heat transfer material on it or the heatsink.

I have tried removing cmos battery, bluetooth, wifi, hdd, dvd and testing 2 known working memory sticks in both slots, populating one at a time.

The caps, scroll, etc lights flash on like normal. LCD does not turn on and the CPU fan does spin full speed.

Really the only part left is the logic board. Im thinking about purchasing one off ebay and installing that.

danage · #11 Post by **danage** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 4:44 pm

intel p4 cpus have thermal protection and will shut off well before they overheat. if you ask me - it's probably the [censored] memory slots. you might have to get a new mainboard.

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