Thinkpad T30 Won't Work???

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chris301up · #1 Post by **chris301up** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 9:39 am

I have had my T30 for about 18 months and it has worked fine without any problems.

Recently it had the dreaded 'Blue Screen' and now it fails to boot up properly.

I have not installed any new hardware or software so can only assume it may be a failing hardware problem?

To explain a little more - I have used the recovery CD's to re-install Windows XP and it did actually boot up on one occassion. The only way I can get anything from it is if I hold the Thinkpad button whilst booting, then it will go so far and then stop.

I have removed the hard disk and checked on my PC and it seams to be working fine!

Anyone have any ideas??

#2 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 10:13 am

Try another keyboard if you can.
If you have 2 RAM modules, remove the one nearest the front, and see if she now boots.
Also, remove the wifi card (and modem if you have it), and see if that helps.

chris301up · #3 Post by **chris301up** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 4:39 am

Thanks for your advice.

Don't have a spare keyboard but at the moment I have the unit in bits.

Only have one 512mb memory module, If I remove it, or put it in the other slot, it beeps and won't boot at all.

Also, removing the Wi-Fi card doesn't make any difference to it either.

I have since got it to reboot and I have used the recovery CD's to reinstall the factory programmes.

I now get the message: "Error Loading Operating System - Press Key To Reboot". It won't go any further than this.

Will have another go at it over the Christmas break.

#4 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 8:30 am

It seems that your T30 has the quite common RAM slot problem, i.e. the front one doesn't work.
If the rest is OK, you could replace that 512MB with a 1GB PC2100 or PC2700 200-pin Sodimm.
There are temporary and permanent fixes for this RAM problem, there are loads of threads about this.
Your best bet for searching this forum is to use Google and enter thinkpads.com as the domain.

Download PC Doctor here and burn a CD from the ISO: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-56222
Then run it to see what else is wrong.
I would say, you either have a bad hard disk (testing on a PC may not be adequate), or a (going) bad IDE connector.
PC Doctor will also test your HD.

chris301up · #5 Post by **chris301up** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 4:59 am

I have tried PC Doctor but it won't work.

However, I have discovered that if I press on the memory modules it will begin to boot up, until I release the pressure on them.

I now remember that this part of the machine used to get quite hot and I'm now wondering whether the memory module has burnt out?

Has anyone ever had a similar problem? I don't really want to purchase new memory if this is not the solution?

Any comments would be really appreciated

#6 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 9:14 am

RealBlackStuff wrote:... your T30 has the quite common RAM slot problem ...

You don't need to buy new RAM, you need to fix the RAM slot(s) or replace your motherboard.

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