One long and two short beeps.

[dclee012]

Hi All,

Long time no post. I have a problem w/ a T42 here (out of warranty). It posts one long and two short beeps, doesn't boot and LCD is blank. Hardware maintenance manual says it's 1) system board, 2) lcd assembly or 3) DIMM.

I suspect it is a system board problem (switched out the DIMM and reseated the LCD connector). Is my only option to pay $575 (max) for service? Advice?

Thanks.

[Johan]

I have a problem w/ a T42 here (out of warranty). It posts one long and two short beeps, doesn't boot and LCD is blank. Hardware maintenance manual says it's 1) system board, 2) lcd assembly or 3) DIMM.

I just checked your error report, turning to Beep and no beep symptoms - ThinkPad General, where it says: "Symptom or error" = "One long and two short beeps, and a blank or unreadable LCD" which means the following: "Service part or action, in sequence":

1. System board
2. LCD assembly
3. DIMM

What I would was to take out the DIMM's, reseat them, make sure all looks OK at the motherboard (remove dust etc), try boot again, and if this doesn't change anything, then take out the DIMM's once again, test them in another PC. If you have DIMM's you know are OK, try them in stead. If this doesn't change anything... hmmm... have you tried if connecting an external display (to the VGA-output) will display anything?

You might want to consider the "loose GPU" cure, soldering the GPU as suggested in the sticky t42 shuts down when i move it, but this is a somewhat delicate operation. Alternatively, grab a new motherboard off eBay - you'll find them around $200.

Immaculate, 15" FlexView/IPS T42's with e.g. one year of remaining warranty these days go for around $400-450 at eBay, so there is no idea in paying $575 for having repaired your old T42, in my opinion.

PS: If you turn to Hints and tips you find more information about how to understand/cure this or that. NB: That page is found doing this:

1) Go to www.ibm.com
2) Enter your ThinkPad model number in the Search-field (upper, right) - e.g. "2373-Q1U". Search!
3) Choose the very first hit.
4) Select "Hints and tips".

Good luck with your repair.

Best regards,

Johan

[ajkula66]

That does sound like a motherboard problem, I'm sorry to say.

You've got to do some shopping around...MB replacement/repair, if you choose to go that route, can be done for a LOT less money.

Personally, I'd part the machine out instead of repairing it, and add funds to get something with warranty now that prices have dropped...but that's just me...

If you look lower in this Marketplace, you'll find a T42p, fully loaded with a year of warranty remaining for $775...and a "regular" T42 with SXGA+ 14" for $425...

Your ThinkPad. Your $$$$. Your call.

Best of luck, whatever you decide to do.