Startup Freeze on my 2379DXU IBM THINKPAD

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mgp · #1 Post by **mgp** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 9:06 am

I just rec'd my T42 a few days ago, and now I'm starting to experience problems turning on the machine -- sometimes (like this morning), I'll press the Power button and find that the notebook hangs as the "IBM THINKPAD" startup BIOS screen and never makes it to the Windows Load screen. Does anyhow have any experience with such a symptom?

What's wierd is that I've had these startup issues with my T42 for the past 2 days ever since I moved it into my dorm and onto the university network (I used it for 2 days prior to that at home with no such problems). I've had this startup freeze issue at least 3-4 times over the past 2 days it's been on campus with me, and I'm a bit worried (on one hand, I don't want to return as I went through a 4-computer return hell with Dell prior to this purchase and then returned the previous T42 sent to me due to several dead pixels). In addition, it seems that once I get the computer to actually load Windows, I have no such problems again until I actually turn the machine OFF (not restart) for awhile and then resume use (which is how I often run into my problem). Any help or advice as to this concern would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

JHEM · #2 Post by **JHEM** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 9:58 am

I would hazard a guess that the problem is with XP looking for a network connection that doesn't exist at BOOT.

Is the unit normally docked and connected to your school's network?

Have you installed XP SP2?

Are you using XP's Zero Configuration utility?

http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

Regards,

James

mgp · #3 Post by **mgp** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 10:38 am

Yes, the unit is normally docked (via minidock) and connected to the school network.

No, I have not installed SP2 as IBM has specified and am not using XP's Zero Config Utility (should I?).

Thanks for the input, James!

mgp · #4 Post by **mgp** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 11:27 pm

Anyone else got other ideas? I guess I just want to ensure that its not a problem with the Thinkpad before the 30-day return period ends. Thanks in advance!

Plinkerton · #5 Post by **Plinkerton** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:21 am

One day, this sort of happened to mine. The power lights would come on, and the fan would go, but the screen wouldn't do ANYTHING. It was the strangest thing, and Tech support couldn't help at all. I was never able to get mine to boot up after that.

I don't know if these occurances could possibly be the same thing, but I ended up having to send mine back.

Mine did that less than a week after receiving it.

mgp · #6 Post by **mgp** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:30 am

Did you're screen go black/blank, or did it freeze at the IBM THINKPAD BIOS startup screen?

DavidNZ · #7 Post by **DavidNZ** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:31 am

My x40 will do this if I have a USB device (like a thumb drive) attached to it when I power on. My Dell desktop at work does the same think if my external HDD is attached.

mgp · #8 Post by **mgp** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:39 am

But does the machine ever boot fine randomly even when you do not touch your external devices?

Conmee · #9 Post by **Conmee** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 9:55 am

Try booting while not docked and/or not plugged into the network. Also check your Startup sequence in BIOS. If you are plugged into a network, and you have PXE/Network boot enabled and at the top of your boot order, it may be waiting/timing out trying to boot from the network.

Daniel.

mgp · #10 Post by **mgp** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 10:46 am

Will do. I just remembered that I did use Access IBM for updates, and distinctly recall that after I rebooted following the "install," my computer automatically began to begin a "flashing" process (BIOS?). Later on, I also read on IBM website that they ask for customers to detach their laptops from port replicators/docking stations when performing a BIOS flash (does this apply for other flashes?). Could this be a potential cause for the problems?

mgp · #11 Post by **mgp** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 10:53 am

Yes, I checked the BIOS order as Conmee suggested, and didn't see anything unusual. I guess this might eliminate the possibility of a network issue (?) -- just curious, though, related to me flash situation above, do you guys think my docking station could be broken?

Conmee · #12 Post by **Conmee** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 11:28 am

MGP,

I'd install the following, in this order. After you install the chipset, BIOS, and Embedded Controller updates, then install the appropriate Ethernet and wireless drivers. Make sure you install all of these while NOT in the docking station. Have a fully charged battery installed and AC power plugged in. See if this helps.

Daniel.

Intel Chipset
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-46058

BIOS Update (1RETd4WW - 3.08a)
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-50273

Embedded Controller Update (1RHT70WW - 3.03)
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-50279

Intel Pro/100/Gigabit Ethernet LAN Adapter Drivers
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-54046

-----------------------------
Install one of the wireless drivers below for your wifi card
-----------------------------

IBM Wireless Cards (a/b, b/g, a/b/g)
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-52527

Intel Wireless Card (2100 3B)
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-50183

Intel Wireless Card (2200 BG)
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-54956

Cisco Wireless Card
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-42683

mgp · #13 Post by **mgp** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:03 pm

I will definitely try this. BTW, does anyone know why the docking station cannot be used when updated the machine?

Conmee · #14 Post by **Conmee** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:08 pm

MGP,

I've updated the BIOS before while my T40p was in the Dock II docking station, so I don't think it's a 'rule' that you can't be docked, more like a wise guideline. Especially to avoid potential problems like you may be encountering. Just my 2 cents...

Daniel.

mgp · #15 Post by **mgp** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:13 pm

Thanks for all of your help, Daniel -- I really appreciate it.

Startup Freeze on my 2379DXU IBM THINKPAD

Startup Freeze on my 2379DXU IBM THINKPAD

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