Oops! I think I killed My T41! Is There Any Hope?

[rkawakami]

P.S. What is a 'Ram Access Hatch?'

That's the little metal door on the bottom of the laptop, secured by a screw, which provides access into the memory module expansion slot. With the laptop facing you in the normal operating position, and with the lid closed, flip it over right-to-left. Just above the horizontal center-line of the bottom should be a rectangular panel. There could be a memory module in there (it's optional from what I understand). Removing that panel will allow a little bit more air circulation into the bottom of the laptop.

[joester]

That's the little door you open to do anything with the RAM. It's held shut with a single screw on the bottom of the laptop. The manual should show the location.

I'm assuming you're leaving the TP intact for the heating pad...
IF you end up opening the laptop up and removing the motherboard, putting it on a cookie sheet in the oven overnight at about 140 degrees F. should do the trick. I would slowly turn up the temperature dial on the oven until it just comes on. If you have a digital thermometer, you should monitor the temperature for a while. The electronics will handle the heat just fine, but any plastics on the board (PCMCIA slot guides, USB NoGo plugs, ect.. are basic plastic and will melt. We use 62 degrees centigrade for moisture bake out at work on completed assemblies much like the TP motherboard. Thats about 140 degrees F.
If you have a gas oven, put another cookie sheet on the rack below the one with the board on it to act as a heat shield. Direct heat from a flame regardless of the temperature setting is considerably higher than that of an electric heating element.

Regardless of the oven, use the top rack and don't broil it.
It would way too much BBQ sauce.

Joe

Oh, it would be best to stabilize the oven temperature before baking the board.

[tobiesmom]

Well, it appears that the heating pad didn't work -my Thinkpad T41 is still not working!

I guess the problem must be a blown fuse - does anyone have any idea how much it would cost to replace it, if this is indeed the problem?

How would I go about finding an IBM certified repair technician?

Would anyone on this forum like to take a shot at it?

Caro

[joester]

If nobody closer than upstate NY speaks up, I might be willing to put it in the dry tank for a few days and then give it a go, but I'm thinking there must be a hard failure there somewhere.

We'll see who offers and go from there.

Joe

[coreman]

Well, it appears that the heating pad didn't work -my Thinkpad T41 is still not working!

I guess the problem must be a blown fuse - does anyone have any idea how much it would cost to replace it, if this is indeed the problem?

How would I go about finding an IBM certified repair technician?

Would anyone on this forum like to take a shot at it?

Caro

Since you are out of warranty, I would look in the yellow pages under Computer Repair, make a few phone calls then take your baby into the one that's been in business the longest, at least (10) years is my yardstick. It is unlikely to be a fuse...more like a blown IC which is fairly easy to change out.

The reason I suggest a local shop is they generally stand behind their work better and you have someone to go see if it breaks after repair...personally I think local shops are much better for out of warranty repairs. IBM will probably quote a whole new motherboard rather than take the time to troubleshoot to find what's really wrong...just my two cents!!