T-43 Died

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jjmclean · #1 Post by **jjmclean** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:30 am

Recently using my T-43 on the internet when the screen froze (including mouse pointer). Tried Ctrl, Alt, Del and nothing happened. Had to pull power plug and battery to kill unit. Restarted with AC addapter (also tried battery power) and will not boot up at all. All that it does is power light will burn, "Caps Lock" and "Numbers Lock" lights will flash when first turned on, the fan starts up but changes speed (starts at normal speed then speeds up and then slows back down), and the DVD drive will try to read a disc. Absolutely nothing happens on the monitor. The power on/off button will turn power off with a quick push (you don't have to hold it down any time at all, just push one quick time).
Thanks for any help
Jerry

aaa · #2 Post by **aaa** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:44 am

The usual guess would be the GPU problem, assuming you have an Ati gpu. It's rarer on the T43 though. What model do you have? It's the model code next to the serial number.

One way to test for the gpu problem to remove the palmrest and try booting up while pressing down on the gpu.

It could also be a ram problem, while you have it open you try swapping the ram around or trying other sticks of ram.

jjmclean · #3 Post by **jjmclean** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 11:00 am

I realized after sending the post I should have included the model #. It's a 2668-G3U.
Thanks
Jerry

#4 Post by **richk** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 12:27 pm

That is ATi. Most likely, GPU problem. Sorry.

jjmclean · #5 Post by **jjmclean** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 12:46 pm

Are there any way to test and make sure it's bad? What exactly does pressing down on it do? Should it try to work when it's pressed down?
Thanks
Jerry

SteveS · #6 Post by **SteveS** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 5:31 pm

PGU problems are very rare on the T43 – so much so that they are at the level of any random component failure. I would start with something else

The symptoms do sound like a CPU kernel failure. When this happens, start with the connectors. DIMM memory failure or memory connector intermittent do happen in T43 units. I have experienced this failure twice. Start by removing and reseating the memory. The easiest to get to is the upgrade memory (if equipped) located under the cover with a single screw on the rear panel. There may or may not be anything plugged into this spot. The main memory is a bit more complicated to access – you need to remove the keyboard. It is held in with four screws marked with a small keyboard icon near the access holes. If you are unsure how to do this, download the T-43 Hardware Maintenance Manual from the Lenovo web site. Look under T-43 manuals, then “all publications”

If this does not correct the problem and your model has both main and upgrade memory, try removing the upgrade memory and placing it in the main memory connector. Don’t re-install the main memory for now. If you model only has main memory, try to borrow a memory DIMM from someone just to try. If you need to buy it, make sure the store will take a return if it turns out not to be the memory.

You can also try reseating the wireless card. If any of these connections are intermittent, they can cause bus contention that will stop the processor in its tracks – even if the device is not being accessed.

While I suppose it is possible that the processor connector could be intermittent, it is highly unlikely. A fan removal is required to access the processor. Removing the fan requires replacing the thermal grease before reseating it.

jjmclean · #7 Post by **jjmclean** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 9:58 pm

Tried all the suggestions except for the memory swap. This computer doesn't have any upgrade memory and I don't anything to replace the main memory with at this time. Everything has been unplugged and replugged except for the CPU and the GPU and both of them have been pressed on and the computer's still just as dead as it was. Another thing we've noticed are that the CPU and GPU are getting warm with the power on. Also, the fan is 5VDC and has three wires, red, blue, and orange. With it unplugged and the power on, there's 5V between the red wire and ground, 0V on the other two, and the 5V on the red wire is pulsing instead of being a steady 5V. With it plugged in, when the power button is pressed, the fan starts running slow, then speeds up real fast then slows back down to normal speed.
Thanks again
Jerry

jjmclean · #8 Post by **jjmclean** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 1:13 pm

Finally found another stick of memory to try, same thing, nothing. Anyone have any more suggestions? Is this a motherboard fix and if so, who has the best price on motherboards for the T43 and are there any special things I need to be on the lookout for if I do repalce it.
Thanks again
Jerry

sjthinkpader · #9 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 2:22 pm

Assuming this is GPU issue, can you answer the following:

1. Is this 15 inch or 14 in model?
2. Do you mostly use it on a desk or in the lap?
3. If Q2 is in the lap, do you hold it by the front or by the side or the bottom while moving?
4. If Q3 is by the front, can you estimated number of time it was moved in this way, e.g. 3.5 years x weeks/year x times/week etc?
5. In your power manager, do you set the CPU performance mode to "Maximum" or "Adaptive"?
6. If answer to Q5 is both, what is the approximate percentage of each, e.g. 50/50, 30/70, 10/90 etc?
7. Can you estimate the on/off cycles in the life of this machine, e.g. 3.5 years x days/year x 2 times per days etc?
8. Was any fan speed management SW used?

Thanks,

sjthinkpader · #10 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 2:33 pm

jjmclean wrote:Finally found another stick of memory to try, same thing, nothing. Anyone have any more suggestions? Is this a motherboard fix and if so, who has the best price on motherboards for the T43 and are there any special things I need to be on the lookout for if I do repalce it.
Thanks again
Jerry

A working MB or partially working complete T43 computers can be found between $100-$200.

Synaptic Systems in Indiana is a large parts seller that frequently has T4x MB for sell. They are on eBay.

Another solution is to find a R52 MB. There are several posts on doing this. Working R52 MB are very cheap today. Only thing to avoid here are Celeron models.

jjmclean · #11 Post by **jjmclean** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 9:46 am

I noticed while looking for a replacement motherboard the they all have different numbers, possibly the IBM number, listed. I also noticed there are different GPU speeds. Is that the only thing I need to make certain is the same?

ThinkCX7 · #12 Post by **ThinkCX7** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 10:52 am

Hi Guys,

I'm looking around since couples weeks for a replacement for my R51 Mobo that has issues with the Graphic chip.

I was blown away by the amount off threads regarding mother board replacement/compatibility for T4X <--> R50/R51. But the only matter was no one mentioned where to got a used R50/T4x board(You'll say ebay but you need to be careful with who you are doing business specially on those sensible stuffs like used mobos.) Any way until some one mentioned here Synamptic System in Indiana(Thanks for the info. Great Pointer!)

Is there some place else where all the users in this forum usually get their used motherboard R50/T41/T42 boards. I'm looking for one for my R51 1829 EHG 15" SXGA+.

My second question is following: Is there some trusted user in this forum who does repairs on mother boards with Graphic issues? (Mine has no flexing but only the Graphic chip)

My third question is there some one who could make for me the mobo exchange?(NB: I saw couples thinkpad main board exchanges but I'm not feeling 100% confident doing It my self).

It'll be great If I could get some help.

Thanks

ThinkCX7

#13 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 11:41 am

Swapping out a motherboard is quite easy, if you follow the instructions from the Hardware Maintenance Manual for your particular model.

A good place for repairing mobo's is Hammerhead
Hammerhead Technology, Inc.
1406 Locust Street
Chico, CA 95928
800-951-9868
530-896-0490
Fax 530-896-0493
Guy to contact is Darrell Pierro, email: darrell @ hammerheadtech . com
(remove the spaces in the email address).

I had a dead R52 mobo repaired by them.
$75.- for the repair, $15.- for the return shipping.
Quite a bit cheaper than a replacement mobo.

ThinkCX7 · #14 Post by **ThinkCX7** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 12:18 pm

Oh yes!

that's great news! Exactly what I was looking 4.

@RealBlackStuff: great, Thanks!

I'll contact him. I'm open for both(mobo repair + exchange) but still prefer a mother board repair than an exchange since my mobo was new and only in used for 3 months(Then i run google earth on Windows. Wasn't a good Idea and did watch one time the GPU temperature was up to 80° Celsius, European Unit, and couple days after the graphic chip died).

Any way thanks a lot for the repair info.

ThinkCX7

jjmclean · #15 Post by **jjmclean** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 7:32 pm

Thanks to all that tried to help us. I finally gave in and sent it for repair. I really wanted to do the job myself but not being real familiar with the unit and the fact that it's my son's computer who is in college and will need it when he goes back next week, I didn't feel comfortable tackeling it.
If we get another problem and have a little more time, I'll ask you people to help guide me through it.
Thanks again to all, you people are what makes this such a great site.
Jerry

T-43 Died

T-43 Died

T4x <--> R50/R51 MainBoard

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