T20 Won't boot...help!

[Les]

Hi everyone,

I have a T20 and yesterday when I powered it up it gets to the "IBM Thinkpad" display but goes no further. It just hangs no matter what I try.

I can't even get to the "Bios setup" or select ""Boot device options". The unit is a PIII 650 Mhz running W2K Service pack4.

It doesn't have a floppy only a cdrom so I can't even run a Startup disk.

Any help or ideas would be terrific.

[jdhurst]

If you can start, see the IBM screen, but cannot F1 into the BIOS (I think that it what you meant to say) then your BIOS may be fried (e.g., what can happen in a BIOS update gone bad). Try removing the hard drive because that can occasionally cause very similar symptoms. Remove the hard drive and start the PC. If it still can't get into the BIOS, it needs service. ... JD Hurst

[egibbs]

Before you panic try reseating the mini-PCI card - take it completely out including disconnecting the cables, and reinstall it. I've had similar problems in the past that were fixed by a reseat.

Ed Gibbs

[Les]

The T20 is back in action thanks to an overcharged capacitor.

The Fix:

"An IBM technician informs me that your problem isn't related to Win2K or hibernation but is the result of an overcharged capacitor inside the unit. To remedy the problem, first remove any batteries (i.e., the internal battery and the Ultrabay battery, if installed) from the unit. Next, you need to drain any remaining charge from the capacitor: With the batteries removed, hold the power button down for at least 90 seconds. The overcharge should completely drain, and you can then reconnect the batteries or AC power and turn on the unit."

...Phew.

[jrhuerga]

The T20 is back in action thanks to an overcharged capacitor.

The Fix:

"An IBM technician informs me that your problem isn't related to Win2K or hibernation but is the result of an overcharged capacitor inside the unit. To remedy the problem, first remove any batteries (i.e., the internal battery and the Ultrabay battery, if installed) from the unit. Next, you need to drain any remaining charge from the capacitor: With the batteries removed, hold the power button down for at least 90 seconds. The overcharge should completely drain, and you can then reconnect the batteries or AC power and turn on the unit."

...Phew.

Has everybody been able to use this fix in order to get a T20/21/22 boot again with DC (with AC, it looks that it always works properly) ?

I have researched though the forum, and it looks like the boot problem in the T20/21/22 is very common, and - as my T21 is starting to have the same behaviour (although I have replaced the CMOS battery) - I would like to know if this fix is the FIX, or merely a trick that only works in some laptops.


Thank you,
Jose Ramon Huerga

http://www.terra.es/personal/jrhuerga

[jrhuerga]

I've been researching in other places, and more people talks about replacing the voltage regulator chip (adp3410). Specifically, in this URL, more owners of thinkPad talk about the adp3410 being the source of the problem:

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/28867/

Has anybody in this forum had this same problem? Replacing this chip (or the entire motherboard) seems to be the way to go.


Thank you,
Jose Ramon Huerga

http://www.terra.es/personal/jrhuerga