T21 won't boot although I've changed the CMOS battery

[jrhuerga]

Hi,

Last week, I have changed my CMOS backup battery but the problem still remains: if a try to start my T21 laptop using no AC adapter, it only perform the POST process, but just before it tries to load the operating system, the machine shut downs with no explanation.

I have configured the BIOS in order to perform a detailed POST (with a lot of verifications) and I can see how it checks the memory, the IDE adapter, the USB ports.... everythink looks ok, but in the next screen (the typical when the operating system should boot) the laptop merely gets shutdown.

Of cource, If I apply the AC adapter, it boots without any problem, and - once the operating system is loaded - I can remove the AC adapter without any problem and use the laptop with only DC.


Any idea?

Thank you in advance,
Jose Ramon Huerga

http://www.terra.es/personal/jrhuerga

[jrhuerga]

I've been researching in other places, and more people talks about replacing the voltage regulator chip (adp3410). Specifically, in this URL, more owners of thinkPad talk about the adp3410 being the source of the problem:

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/28867/

Has anybody in this forum had this same problem? Replacing this chip (or the entire motherboard) seems to be the way to go.


Thank you,
Jose Ramon Huerga

http://www.terra.es/personal/jrhuerga

[AbsoluteRaleigh]

I've been researching in other places, and more people talks about replacing the voltage regulator chip (adp3410). Specifically, in this URL, more owners of thinkPad talk about the adp3410 being the source of the problem:

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/28867/

Has anybody in this forum had this same problem? Replacing this chip (or the entire motherboard) seems to be the way to go.


Thank you,
Jose Ramon Huerga

http://www.terra.es/personal/jrhuerga

I would just replace the defective system board..

[jrhuerga]

I've been researching in other places, and more people talks about replacing the voltage regulator chip (adp3410). Specifically, in this URL, more owners of thinkPad talk about the adp3410 being the source of the problem:

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/28867/

Has anybody in this forum had this same problem? Replacing this chip (or the entire motherboard) seems to be the way to go.


Thank you,
Jose Ramon Huerga

http://www.terra.es/personal/jrhuerga

I would just replace the defective system board..

Maybe the problem is related to the version of BIOS. I just have tried see what happens with the lattest version of BIOS (the one I was used was of October 2000) and this monday, tuesday and wednesday I have tried to start the laptop using only the battery, and it has boot properly all the time (maybe this night I'll try again and it is going to fail, who knows).

Just in case... is it very hard to find a motherboard for a T21? is it very expensive?



Jose Ramon Huerga
http://www.terra.es/personal/jrhuerga

[AbsoluteRaleigh]

I would just replace the defective system board..

Maybe the problem is related to the version of BIOS. I just have tried see what happens with the lattest version of BIOS (the one I was used was of October 2000) and this monday, tuesday and wednesday I have tried to start the laptop using only the battery, and it has boot properly all the time (maybe this night I'll try again and it is going to fail, who knows).

Just in case... is it very hard to find a motherboard for a T21? is it very expensive?



Jose Ramon Huerga
http://www.terra.es/personal/jrhuerga

Definately use the latest BIOS... If that fixed it, great... If you end up needing a new board they go for around $100 on eBay. But only buy from a reputable seller of ThinkPad parts.

[JHEM]

Definately use the latest BIOS... If that fixed it, great... If you end up needing a new board they go for around $100 on eBay. But only buy from a reputable seller of ThinkPad parts.

Good advice and, for the record, Len (Absolute Raleigh) is a reputable seller of Thinkpad parts!

Regards,

James