X30 discontinuous issue: does not boot and autoshut down

[OMNIBUS]

hallo
i have an X30 but sometimes when i push power button, it power on, let me see the lcd first screen with the ibm logo and bios enter option but after it does not boot and shut automatically down without activate hd!
i tried to turn with more streght the screws just because i thought that was a false electrical contact...the issue keeps
i have to try more and more time to push power button and with no explainable reasons after 10 or more push it boot..than all works fine!
but if give the command of rebooting...it shuts off...than turn on..with the usual screen with ibm logo and shut off automatically without hd try to boot os.
i tried to keep pressed the keyboard on the base.... but sometimes i have to try to push more time button ..maybe less time than no pressed situation but i'm not sure of it
what can be the reason?
all works after booting but is boring to push many times or keeping pressed keyboard to boot
thankyou to all

[alteist]

I think its either dying HDD, or some problem with motherboard, e.g. bad contact with south bridge, particularly IDE controller's pins.

Try booting several times from USB Flash drive, USB HDD or USB CD-ROM to be sure that the problem is one of two mentioned.

Then try disassembling case to get to the chip (hope other users will tell where it is) and try to press it down slightly in the MB while booting. Don't forget about static electricity!

Or disconnect HDD from laptop and connect it to another PC either by 2.5"<->3.5" IDE adapter, or by 2.5" IDE<->USB adapter, or to another laptop with IDE drive directly. Test if it performs normally.

[OMNIBUS]

i was wrong on describing symptoms; the right version is :
sometimes when i push power button, the leds power on, DOES NOT let me see the lcd first screen with the ibm logo and bios enter option but KEEPS black. after it does not boot and shut automatically down without activate nothing or the hd!
i tried to turn with more streght the screws just because i thought that was a false electrical contact...the issue keeps
i have to try more and more time to push power button and with no explainable reasons after 10 or more push it boot..than all works fine!
but if give the command of rebooting...it shuts off...than turn on..with the usual issue : leds light, screen black for few seconds and shut off automatically without hd try to boot osor anything else.
i tried to keep pressed the keyboard on the base.... but sometimes i have to try to push more time button ..maybe less time than no pressed situation but i'm not sure of it
i tried to change hd ..no change!
what can be the reason?
all works after booting but is boring to push many and many times or keeping pressed keyboard to boot

[sjthinkpader]

Looks for solder joint cracks especially on large inductors. You don't want to tighten screw too much because the X30 keyboard bezel is very fragile.

[OMNIBUS]

for example which one i have to check? how? i' m not much expertize

[sjthinkpader]

I circled the inductors in the photo of X30 motherboard. There may be more underneath. Take a look at the solder joints of these.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f228/ ... ide1-3.jpg

I missed one in my picture just above the CPU fan.

[OMNIBUS]

i trie to verify the soldiers as you suggest; them seem strongly soldered , after it i tried to turn on...always the same issue comes out!
i have to press more and more time ..and one with no apparent reason , is the right one and let to turn on completely!
so what can i do now? what can be the reason?
thankyou for your help

[sjthinkpader]

Can you try a different DRAM module?

[OMNIBUS]

done! i just tried an other 512 mb module , an 256 mb module, and combined 512 + 256 modules!
always the same issue!
i don't understand!
sigh

[sjthinkpader]

I think you need a MB.

On a lighter note, here was my ride to Malpensa. The driver couldn't speak a word of English and I couldn't speak a work of Italian, but he talked all the way to the airport.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f228/ ... CN2167.jpg

[OMNIBUS]

could i swap my X30 mb with an X31 or X32 mb?

[fasterbybike]

could i swap my X30 mb with an X31 or X32 mb?

Unfortunately no.

The X31/X32 motherboards fit into each other's cases.

HTH

D

[OMNIBUS]

uhmm...all the case of X31/32 is different by X30 one? could i buy a mb with bottom case and simply swap it to my X30?
or what else is different ?

[sjthinkpader]

That's doable but your will need a KB bezel too. X30 use SDR and X31/X32 use DDR memory.