Very Cheap T42 But Won't Boot

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Gene · #1 Post by **Gene** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 4:25 pm

Hi, this is my first post, I hope the next will not be for a problem!

I've got the chance to buy (real cheap) a T42 with 14" screen and 1Gb of memory. It doesn't have a hard drive or a power adapter, but at this price its worth buying them myself. I had a look at it and when I tried to boot it the battery light is on amber, it beeps twice, a "Z" light is green, I can hear the fan running, but the screen stays blank. I know about the chip problems with these machines, but I was wondering if could it be because there is no drive in it. I only let it run for a min. or two, could it be a very slow boot because it is looking for a drive?

It looks like I can get this machine for less than $50 and I have the ability to repair it myself so can anybody lend any ideas if it is worth getting involved with?

Thanks

Gene

aaa · #2 Post by **aaa** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 4:30 pm

Definitely not an HD issue, with that it would hang at the IBM logo.

Maybe the ram? Look up the beep codes.

In any case, if the screen works then get it for $50.

#3 Post by **Johan** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 4:47 pm

Welcome to the forum, Gene!

Even if you don't have a HDD in your Thinkpad, it should boot up into the BIOS... so if nothing on the display at all, that's not the best sign. Did you try to connect an external monitor to the display-output (at the right side, rear, of the ThinkPad)?

I suggest you review Troubleshooting by topic - ThinkPad or Troubleshooting by symptom - ThinkPad. There, you will e.g. find the Beep and no beep symptoms - ThinkPad General saying that:

Two short beeps and a blank screen may be either:

1. System board or
2. DIMM

The first can be tested if you download and burn a bootable CD-ROM copy of the "PC Doctor" program (although, I admit, a bit difficult to see the result in your case...!), while the latter can either be tested also by "PC Doctor", or alternatively if you download and burn a bootable CD-ROM copy of the "Memtest86+" program. Links to both programs can e.g. be found in the thread T42p won't come out of standby or won't boot after shutdown (see the post there of Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:16 pm).

If you don't already know the Hardware Maintenance Manual - ThinkPad T40, T40p, T41, T41p, T42, T42p and/or the Service and Troubleshooting Guide - ThinkPad T40/p, T41/p, T42/p, T43/p you might find them handy - and best of all, they're for both completely free!

In the worst case... if everything you do or try does not quite work... I'd like to point your attention to a highly appreciated forum-member, jamiphar, who is offering his superb ThinkPad-service - see the thread LCD CCFL Backlight Repair/GPU Rework - I'll fix it for you!.

Johan

#4 Post by **rkawakami** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 4:48 pm

Belated Welcome to thinkpads.com! (almost a four year lurker, eh?

)

I would assume that the T42, like most other Thinkpads, should show some activity on the LCD even if no hard drive is mounted in the system. At the very least, you should see the IBM "splash" screen if there is no problem with the installed memory. I have noticed that on some systems if there is no hard drive, the boot sequence takes about 30 seconds longer. This has mainly been on T2x systems.

I would recommend the following checkout procedure when confronted with a "parts or repair" system:

- remove all socketed components from the system and attempt to power up; this means all memory (standard module under the keyboard and the one accessible from the bottom), the MiniPCI card, modem, ethernet (if it's on a CDC), any Ultrabay device). The system should generate the beep code for bad or missing memory. If you don't get this error code, then consider you have a problem with the motherboard.
- install a single stick of known good memory and repeat the power up. If you don't have a known good part, then grab a copy of memtest86+: http://www.memtest86.org/ and boot the floppy or CD and run the memory diagnostic.
- if you don't get any display on the LCD, connect an external monitor. Press the Fn+F7 key combination a couple of times after the system has been on for at least a minute and see if you get any video activity. If you don't, suspect the motherboard again.
- assuming that you can boot the system and get a proper video display somewhere (LCD or external), boot the PC Doctor for DOS diagnostic program. Select your system from the following list and look under the "Diagnostics" heading:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... ATRIX.html

Of course if the system is still in somebody else's possession, then it may not be possible to perform all of these checks. For $50, if the LCD is still good and the system has a single 1GB module, then it's probably worth spending the $$$. However, it's possible that you might have to put $$$$$$ (double the initial cost) into it in order to get it fully functional.

msidd · #5 Post by **msidd** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:45 pm

Hell, for $50 it's worth it. You can always part it out for much more than that. I bet it's either a motherboard issue or a memory issue. Usually beeps indicate bad memory.

Go for it. Try to haggle a bit.

Gene · #6 Post by **Gene** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 6:40 am

All,

Thanks for everybody's responses and help. If I get the machine it won't be till Saturday. So if I do, I'll be back!

BTW, if I do get it, I'll need to find a charger and maybe a motherboard, any thoughts besides Ebay on where I could buy them?

Thanks again

msidd · #7 Post by **msidd** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:37 pm

Gene wrote:All,

Thanks for everybody's responses and help. If I get the machine it won't be till Saturday. So if I do, I'll be back!

BTW, if I do get it, I'll need to find a charger and maybe a motherboard, any thoughts besides Ebay on where I could buy them?

Thanks again

Ebay and Craigslist are your best bet.

Gene · #8 Post by **Gene** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:01 pm

I got a chance to stop by and have another look at the machine. When I try and boot it I get all the lights I mentioned earlier and 3 beeps, one long followed by 2 short.

I looked up the beep code in the T40 repair manual and it says that it indicates: system board, DIMM, or display. Can anybody lend more information on what could be the problem?

Thanks again

msidd · #9 Post by **msidd** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:55 pm

Gene wrote:I got a chance to stop by and have another look at the machine. When I try and boot it I get all the lights I mentioned earlier and 3 beeps, one long followed by 2 short.

I looked up the beep code in the T40 repair manual and it says that it indicates: system board, DIMM, or display. Can anybody lend more information on what could be the problem?

Thanks again

You can remove the optional DIMM memory on the bottom and see if the beeps go away. It' only Phillips screw and then two clips. Very easy to remove and check.

Gene · #10 Post by **Gene** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:00 pm

I removed the extra DIMM and it still beeps and no screen. While I had the DIMM out I got the motherboard part number 93P4158. I had a look in the IBM repair manual, it says its one with a security chip. On Ebay they are going for over $400, but there a bunch more with a different part number for a T42 for around $150 to $200. Can I use any T42 board if I finds it needs one?

BobA · #11 Post by **BobA** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:24 am

If I'm not mistaken, you have an SXGA screen system there. Any T42 motherboard (either XGA or SXGA) will drive the SXGA LCD .. a T41 motherboard would even work as well. XGA motherboards have the ATI Radeon 7500 video chip and are cheaper .. SXGAs have either the Radeon 9000 (T41), Radeon 9600 (T42) or FireGL (T41/T42 and most expensive) video chip. Whether the motherboard has the security chip or not doesn't matter (someone correct me if I'm wrong) - most have it.

As others have said, you'll get a good deal for your $50. The memory alone is worth that - and the CPU would be a bonus. As others have said, the LCD is probably good (probably -- depending on how honest the person is you're buying from - I'm assuming you've asked about the status of the LCD before the system went south).

I 'might' have a motherboard I could sell you -- PM me if you're interested.

Sincerely -- Bob

msidd · #12 Post by **msidd** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:30 am

BobA wrote:If I'm not mistaken, you have an SXGA screen system there. Any T42 motherboard (either XGA or SXGA) will drive the SXGA LCD .. a T41 motherboard would even work as well. XGA motherboards have the ATI Radeon 7500 video chip and are cheaper .. SXGAs have either the Radeon 9000 (T41), Radeon 9600 (T42) or FireGL (T41/T42 and most expensive) video chip. Whether the motherboard has the security chip or not doesn't matter (someone correct me if I'm wrong) - most have it.

As others have said, you'll get a good deal for your $50. The memory alone is worth that - and the CPU would be a bonus. As others have said, the LCD is probably good (probably -- depending on how honest the person is you're buying from - I'm assuming you've asked about the status of the LCD before the system went south).
I 'might' have a motherboard I could sell you -- PM me if you're interested.

Sincerely -- Bob

Since you were talking about MB's and video cards, I have a question. Can you swap a 9000 Radeon or a 9600 Radeon into a T42 in place of a 7500? Meaning can you swap a SXGA video card in place of a XGA video card?

goofyGAguy · #13 Post by **goofyGAguy** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:06 am

You can only change graphics chips by swapping the motherboard. They are soldered on ( not very well, in some cases ).

aaa · #14 Post by **aaa** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:17 am

msidd wrote:
BobA wrote:*snipped*
Since you were talking about MB's and video cards, I have a question. Can you swap a 9000 Radeon or a 9600 Radeon into a T42 in place of a 7500? Meaning can you swap a SXGA video card in place of a XGA video card?

7500 works with SXGA.

Gene · #15 Post by **Gene** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:30 pm

Another question about getting a T42 running again.

I see a lot of references to IBM Recovery Disks. Do I need them to install an operating system? Usually I try and keep my systems lean with as little of the manufacturer's software as possible. Is there something special with IBMs or can I just do a simple XP install?

Also, I've been reading a few posts about these machines not being compatible with some hard drives. Is there a list of drives that will work?

Thanks again, I'll know tomorrow if I get the system

BeeJayEmm · #16 Post by **BeeJayEmm** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:23 am

Gene,
You don't have to use recovery disks to load an operating system if you don't want to. You can do a "clean install" of XP with a retail or OEM disk. There may be a sticky How-to here or search the forum. You'll need drivers downloaded from Lenovo though and you'll want to have them on hand before you begin. You can also get any ThinkPad software you might want to add, such as Rescue & Recovery, Access Connections, etc.

T42s do not have the hard drive compatibility problem you refer to (only T43/R52/X41 do). Any 2.5" wide, 9.5mm high, PATA (IDE) drive will work. SATA will not.

Brian

Gene · #17 Post by **Gene** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 3:35 pm

Unfortunately I've been handed some bad news, the department that was going to sell me the machine decided to send it to a surplus auction without telling my friend. I stoped by the auction this morning and it went for over $90. Am I crazy or isn't that a lot of money for a system that doesn't boot and could (probably) needs a system board?

Oh well, so I'm still in the market for a T42 (anybody?).

Thanks for everybody's help and I'll be back!

Gene

cmarti · #18 Post by **cmarti** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 5:10 pm

Any T42 will exceed the $100.00 booting or not.

Gene · #19 Post by **Gene** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 5:45 pm

Brad I answered your PM, but for some reason it doesn't show in my sent file. Did you receive it?

Sorry I now see any sent messages are stored in my "outbox"

Brad · #20 Post by **Brad** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:39 pm

Gene, I received all three and sent you one.

Brad

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