T22 bad hard drive or bad motherboard

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jvacarchuk · #1 Post by **jvacarchuk** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 7:35 pm

have a T22, it has been working well. I turned it on today and I recieved the following message, "read-disk-error". I re-started the labtop and I get a black scrren and the harddrive does not seen to run. I install XP Pro disks and it di the same.

Is the hard bad or is the mother board? If the HD is bad,how can I check to see if is bad?

thank you

#2 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 8:22 pm

As you believe, the problem may lie with the hard drive or the motherboard. However, I'm not sure what you mean when you said "I install XP Pro disks and it di(d) the same". Are you saying that you re-installed the XP operating system from a CD, that the install (apparently) went okay, but you still can't boot the system without the read error?

You can attempt to isolate the problem by running some hard drive diagnostics. Several are available:

- PC Doctor for DOS; for the T2x it's here: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4YZM3F
- I host a CD image (.ISO file) of that program here: http://www.kawakami-ca.com/ibm_t2x/ibm_t22_pcdiag.iso
- most hard drive manufacturers offer their own disk diagnostics; Seatools for Seagate drives, DFT for Hitachi, FJDT for Fujitsu drives, etc.

For some information about the hard drive diagnostics in the PC Doctor program, read this post:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 070#438070

jvacarchuk · #3 Post by **jvacarchuk** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 9:19 pm

rkawakami

Let me clarify when I first turned on the T22 I recieved the message that I stated before. I rebooted the T22 and go a blank screen. I checked to see if the ram was in tight to it slots, they were. I then tried to boot the computer from the CR-rom using the original intstall disks os XP PRO. The T22 turned on, but I recieved a black screen.

What should i do , can I add a external monitor to see if this helps?

#4 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:15 pm

Okay, thanks for that clarification. Don't bother with the PC Doctor diagnostic since the system is not booting. Try this instead:

- remove all hardware that can easily be removed; this includes the hard drive, all but one memory module, any Ultrabay device, and especially the MiniPCI modem.
- try to power up the system with those components removed. If it does successfully present the IBM splash screen, hit the F1 key to see if it gets into the BIOS setup screen.
- assuming that it does power up, add the hard drive back and see if it continues to boot.
- assuming that it does boot the hard drive, replace the other items (one at a time) and see if and when the system does not boot anymore.
- if the system does not boot when all of the pieces have been taken out, swap out the memory module with the other one and/or move it to the opposite slot.

jvacarchuk · #5 Post by **jvacarchuk** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:21 pm

Thank you, I will try it tomorrow evening and post my reply after I am finished.

cmarti · #6 Post by **cmarti** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 4:54 pm

Just FYI, my T23 is doing the same thing now... I was using it last night with no problems, I decided to do a restart and guess what?

All I get is this "read-disk-error"

I Run the WD HD utility it came back without any errors, remove the HD and I connected to my desktop did a check disk and nothing all is perfect. So... while I had the drive connected to the desktop I back up all my files and I guess I have to reinstall windows again and see what happens.

I have no idea on what cause this a restart is nothing harsh for a HD specially a new with only a few weeks old.

nikki605 · #7 Post by **nikki605** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:44 pm

Are the Txx TPs known for problems with the HDD seating? I notice in my T21 that when I plug in the Hitachi HDD it barely moves after making contact with the pins. I do have the locking screw installed, and I never remove the HDD if I don't absolutely have to. I try to leave it alone.

cmarti · #8 Post by **cmarti** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 6:00 pm

@ nikki605,

I took the HD from the T43p an I put it in the T23 and it recognize it without any issues, so I don't think it is a problem with the connector. Something else damage the MBR.

jvacarchuk · #9 Post by **jvacarchuk** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 2:51 pm

I did what you said. I rmoved the hard drive, the modem PCI, and removed the each memory module. I still did not get a picture on the screen. Do you have any suggestions what to do next?

Regards,

John

sjthinkpader · #10 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 4:07 pm

After removing everything as Ray suggested, try different stick of RAM than those you have in the computer. If you have two sticks, try one at a time to see if one stick is bad.

jvacarchuk · #11 Post by **jvacarchuk** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:05 pm

I replaced one stick not too long ago. It is band new. Even with both sticks out the screen still stays black

#12 Post by **rkawakami** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:18 pm

With all memory removed, the system is supposed to remain dark

. You should be getting a 1-3-3-1 beep code when there's no memory installed. If so, then put in one module and see if it boots without any error beeps. And to answer one of your earlier questions that I missed, yes, if you have an external monitor, you should try connecting it (before powering up the laptop) and see if you get any image there.

jamerslong · #13 Post by **jamerslong** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 10:01 pm

If the system is failing to post then there is an obvious hardware problem beond the drive.

If you have dismantled the Thinkpad before then i would suggest going in and making sure everything is seated.

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