How to get crashed T42 to work again?

[kantharaj]

I have a T42 with XP pro, that had crashed. I tried the recovery CDs, but it didn't work. I tried factotry reset, that didn't work either. How to get my T42 working again. I am not concerned about the files/data in the T42. I just need it to get working!. Can some experts help me?

[rkawakami]

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

I'm not sure what you mean by the recovery CDs "not working". Did it not install the OS? Is the system able to boot the CD? There's a lot of things that might be wrong:

- memory
- hard drive
- system could have a loose GPU
- some other motherboard issue
- optical drive may not be reading the disk(s) correctly

Your best bet would be to download a copy of PC Doctor for DOS from here:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-56222

and start running some diagnostics. I'd concentrate on the CPU/Coprocessor, Systemboard, Fixed Disk (i.e., Hard drive) and Memory. If, however, you can't even boot the system or access the BIOS, then there's some basic problem power problem. If the system does appear to boot, but nothing is on the LCD, attach an external monitor to see if you can see anything there. If so, then you could be looking at a loose GPU or a problem with the LCD backlight.

[poshgeordie]

Further to Ray's post - to boot from CD (whether PC Doc or the recovery CD's), when first starting up press F12 and select boot from CD.