T23 with DIMM with bad Dimm slots?

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LPC · #1 Post by **LPC** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:27 pm

Hi all,

I bought this 2647-8MU from Smidgley to harvest the 512 Dimm, 1.2 CPU, and SXGA screen. Smidgley upgraded CPU and SXGA screen himself.

Smidgley stated that the motherboard need replacement because of random lockups/freezes (none of the keys work or cursor works, fan is still running) and reboots.

I received the machine and it booted up fine 1st try. Checked ram and XP only saw 512. I inspected Dimms a 256 Dimm was in the B slot (Dimm farthest from you when typing) and 512 in the A slot (Dimm slot closest to you when typing).

I removed the 512 and booted. XP saw 256 Dimm. Machine locked up.

I rebooted and started getting beep codes.

I removed the modem card, ethernet daughter card, DVD Rom, Hard Drive, battery, and Ram. I booted up using power cord. I got the 1 3 3 1 beeps....Ram or system board. ( future reboots will exclude all above listed items unless stated otherwise)

I tested the 256 and 512 Dimms in my other T23 they worked and were recognized in XP.

I rebooted with the 256 Dimm in the A slot and DVD installed. I got 4 beeps, all lights on keyboard and LCD lit, The power on light stayed lit, Fan spins, system did not boot, and LCD back light did not light.

I rebooted with 256 Dimm in the B slot and DVD installed. I got 1 3 3 1 beeps, all lights on keyboard and LCD lit, The power on light stayed lit, Fan spins, system did not boot, and LCD back light did not light.

I rebooted with 256 Dimm in the B slot, DVD installed and applied pressure on the Dimm upward and into the Dimm slot. I got 1 3 3 1 beeps, all lights on keyboard and LCD lit, The power on light stayed lit, Fan spins, system did not boot, and LCD back light did not light.

I rebooted with 256 Dimm in the A slot and DVD installed and applied pressure on the Dimm upward and into the Dimm slot. The Bios splash screen started! I booted into PC Doctor and tested the system board all passed. I tested the CPU all passed. I Ran a quick test on the Ram it passed.

I rebooted with 256 Dimm in the A slot, 512 in the B slot, DVD installed and applied pressure on the 256 Dimm upward and into the Dimm slot. The Bios splash screen started. I booted into PC Doctor. I am now running a full test on both Dimms....taking awhile so, I thought I would post my findings.

I am pretty sure something is wrong with the Dimm slots. What should I looking for with a magnifier? Can this problem be fixed?

I will post PC Doctor findings and symptoms when try to boot with 512 Dimm.

All comments and advice appreciated.

Thanks

LPC · #2 Post by **LPC** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:36 pm

The PC Doctor tested finished and all passed?

I rebooted with the 512 Dimm in the A slot and DVD installed. I got 4 beeps, all lights on keyboard and LCD lit, The power on light stayed lit, Fan spins, system did not boot, and LCD back light did not light.

I rebooted with the 512 Dimm in the A slot, DVD installed and applied pressure up and into the Dimm slot. I got 4 beeps, all lights on keyboard and LCD lit, The power on light stayed lit, Fan spins, system did not boot, and LCD back light did not light.

I am now pretty sure the trouble is with the Dimm slots. Why cant the machine boot from dimm slot A, but it test fine in PC doctor?

Again I need direction what to look for with a magnifier.

Thanks

#3 Post by **Harryc** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:59 pm

Read the post by 'Hobbymat' in this link and you'll get an idea of what you're up against.

http://www.omskakas.se/2007/07/thinkpad ... ilure.html

phool@round · #4 Post by **phool@round** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:29 am

First, I hope you read the link Harryc posted. I'm a little sad that the cat's out of the bag though........I had a corner of the world all to myself......

So here it goes......

PC Doctor won't fail for this issue with a system that boots, there's nothing to report because it's running properly.

The beep code was all you needed.

The RAM contacts are damped (sprung) they lift away from the pad further than the others. Look for that. Look near both edges of the socket.

And yes......I know this issue and how to fix it. Good tools I hope?

What I'm a little puzzled about is this was only a parts lappy, why fuss with the system board?

LPC · #5 Post by **LPC** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:52 pm

Thanks all for the replies...I will read the thread.

What I'm a little puzzled about is this was only a parts lappy, why fuss with the system board?

.......you know how it goes....

LPC · #6 Post by **LPC** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:33 am

Ok. I have decided not to fix the Dimm slots. I dont have the equipment. But according to the article Harryc posted the link to there is a blue plastic shock damper that causes the problem. I am going to have my working T23 apart today and want to remove this damper in the process. Can anyone tell me were it is located? And how to get there. I can not find it in the HMM. Thanks

#7 Post by **rkawakami** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 12:14 pm

I would assume that he is talking about one of the blue pieces of foam/rubber that is shown in the top side photo from this post:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 304#252304

It is located under the hard drive bay, section 1160 in the HMM.

LPC · #8 Post by **LPC** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 12:58 pm

Thanks Ray. Since you work with T23 allot would you recommend I remove them? I am in the position were I could do it easily.

#9 Post by **rkawakami** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 2:40 pm

I would assume that IBM designed them in so that the hard drive would not receive the full shock from any external force. If you remove one or both pads then that might increase the chance that some damage could befall the hard drive. I'd say that if you are careful about not transporting the system around while the drive is spinning, then it should be safe to remove them.

I have not removed any from my working systems. I think I peeled one off from a board before because there was some talk about corrosion developing underneath the pad but I don't recall if that was on a T23 motherboard or not. If I find that post I'll link to it here.

edit: Here it is: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 041#342041

It was on a "blink of death" T20 system.

#10 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 3:09 pm

My opinion is that the author of the blog that I linked to mentioned the pad as a possible cause or slot death. In your case, the damage is done and removing the pad won't accomplish anything.

#11 Post by **rkawakami** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 4:03 pm

If I read LPC correctly, he is thinking about removing the pad(s) from a currently-working T23 in the hopes that it will not develop the memory slot problem in the future.

#12 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 4:14 pm

rkawakami wrote:If I read LPC correctly, he is thinking about removing the pad(s) from a currently-working T23 in the hopes that it will not develop the memory slot problem in the future.

I thought it was on the dead slot machine, my mistake.

LPC · #13 Post by **LPC** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:20 am

Thanks Harryc for the advise. Ray was correct. I was talking about my working T23. I decided not to remove the pads.

T23 with DIMM with bad Dimm slots?

T23 with DIMM with bad Dimm slots?

blue plastic shock damper

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