R30 Motherboards modified or serviced?

[vanaya]

I have bought 2 R30 and they both have the same modification on the mb? I bought them about 2 weeks apart and from different sellers. Has anyone heard of this? Is it a refurb repair or a modification? I left my camera at work again (3rd time ), so I will take pics and post links in the am.

Diagnosis on system 2656-DAU #1: Purchased with broken LCD, nothing extra. Powered it on and the LCD turned white and fan spins and stays on. I connected an external monitor, but nothing... all black. No beeps even with zero memory and no peripherals.

Diagnosis on system 2656-E0U #2: Purchased as parts, completer with cd-rom and 56 watt adapter. I powered it on and held F1. Bios screen confirmed model type and serial # matched the case. Yee-haw!! Easy fix, NOPE. It shut down about 90 seconds later. Can't power it back on.

I switched the LCD from #2 to #1. No picture, fan spins power lights stay on. On page 24 of HMM

System board/LCD/Inverter replacement
notice
Restoring the LCD panel ID
The EEPROM on the inverter stores its supported LCD
type ID code. If you replace a LCD with one of a different
brand or use a new inverter, the ID information in the
inverter EEPROM should be updated.
Follow the steps blew to set the LCD panel ID:
1. Install the ThinkPad CE Utility Diskette and restart the
computer.
2. Select 1. LCD Panel ID Utility from the main menu.
3. Follow the instruction on screen to read current or to
set new LCD Panel ID code.
4. Restart computer : the new LCD should work normally.
Note: When you set a new LCD Panel ID and the new
LCD is not yet enabled (to function), so connect an
external CRT to see the program execution process.
CAUTION:
Make sure the new ID code you choose corresponds
with the LCD brand and type. If you write a wrong ID
into inverterm, just reboot and re-execute the program
and input the correct ID code.

If I read this correctly, I shouldn't have to use the ThinkPad CE Utility diskette to restore the brand and type. Correct? #1 is a 13.3 inch screen and comes with Sanyo or LG. #2 is a 14.1 inch screen and comes with Hyundai or Samsung. Any suggestions??

[Thane_Bitter]

Since you cannot show us the area in question could you tell us approximately, where you see this change? If it is located on the underside of the mainboard in the area of the miniPCI slot then it was done at the factory, during manufacturing by IBM (actually the R30/31’s were made by Lenovo). I have one on my R31; it is a green "L" shaped piece of wire the connects to one of the chips on the board and then to a "through solder hole" and is hidden if a miniPCI card is installed. I don't have my copy of the HMM handy, however I wonder if both of your laptops are listed within the "section I" models, it is likely that someone "forgot" a trace and this was the fix (although it's fiddly work, it is cheaper then trashing the board).

I am fairly certain the R30/31 use a 72-watt power adapter (I know my R31 definitely calls for the 72-watt model).

The ThinkPad CE disk is something that has often been asked for but never has been found. Since your just updating the ID, (which could possibly be read by a diagnostic tool) that you could skip that part. I have not replaced screens, so I cannot say for certain.

From your description it sounds like unit #1 could have more damage then the screen, and unit # 2 has power issues.

[vanaya]

Sorry for the delay... here is the link to imageshack. I will post more links as the pics come out better.

Pic #2
Pic #3

As for the TP CE Utility I have burned an .iso from lenovo.com. but have not used it yet. I waiting on this w/e to play with them some more.

[Thane_Bitter]

Looks like the same colour of wire that was used on my main board; I say it is factory done work.
I need to rip my system apart soon anyways, I will check for any similar work.

If you have a link to that CE disk, would you mind posting it here, or PM the address?

[vanaya]

After carefully reading what I burned was the HDD Utility and not the CE Utility.

[Thane_Bitter]

After carefully reading what I burned was the HDD Utility and not the CE Utility.

D'OH!
I swear that diskette is more elusive then a unicorn.

[vanaya]

Shouldn't the mb remember which lcd was there? When I replace the lcd on the original machine, it doesn't show anything? When I test the screen from #1 with #2 it doesn't show either. Even if the screen is cracked wouldn't it at least show white or some kind of image?

[thuur]

I don't think the MoBo communicates with the screen, it only sends signals (one-way) AFAIK.


R,

[vanaya]

D'OH!!

Without a memory stick it will boot and cd-rom will spin up (like a normal boot) with a bootable cd but nothing on screen. I was expecting a beep sequence like the Tx series. No beeps.

So the good news, #1 now has a 14" screen but no wireless. After a thorough cleaning (a small possible spill victim), all plastics were run thru the "carwash/dishwasher". I am loading XPP for a test drive and heavy diagnostic run.