dead T23?

[garysblim]

Hi all:

Now, i have another problem with my other T23. The unit suddenly has blank screen (dark) and couldn't turn off. So, I unplugged it and took the battery out. After that, it won't reboot. No beep or anything. The fan runs and that's about it. I can't even go into bios. Sounds like dead motherboard?

Thanks,

Gary

[rkawakami]

Could be one of several things:

- motherboard may have developed one or more loose inductors - typical symptom is the fan spinning fast and slow
- the MiniPCI card has gone bad - can cause general power problems as well as preventing installation of an OS
- bad memory

Best thing to start with is to pull the MiniPCI card and all memory modules out of the system (both items are located behind the two panels on the bottom of the system). Optionally, you can pull out the hard drive as it will speed up the diagnosis (you won't have to wait for the OS to load and then have to shut it down). Once those items are out, try powering up. It should give the 1-3-3-1 beep sequence. If so, then you may be lucky and the problem is not on the motherboard. Power off the system and install only one of the memory modules (if you have two). Try starting it up again. If the system boots normally and you had a second memory module previously installed, turn off the system, pull out the module that's in there and replace it with the second. Power up again. If you manage to get the system to start without any problems with either module, assume that the memories are good. Power off, install the MiniPCI card and boot again. If the same problem returns, then your MiniPCI card is kaput.

Assuming that you don't get the 1-3-3-1 beep code when all memory has been removed, then your problem is on the motherboard. There's a chance that your system has been affected by the infamous loose inductor issue. This usually requires a complete teardown of the system as the offending part(s) are located on the bottom side of the motherboard. You will need the Hardware Maintenance Manual for the disassembly:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4UYM3F

If you believe that this is your problem, then there's plenty of threads around here that explain the problem and what's needed to fix it.

[garysblim]

Thanks for the tips. Tried pulling the pci-mini wireless card, ram and HDD but still it has the same problem. I guess I'd have to take the laptop apart. Is it an easy fix? I'll look up the archive as well.

[rkawakami]

Here's some threads if you can't seem to find them using the search function:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=21979 (The Granddaddy of the inductor threads)
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=80329
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=75693 (Check the posts from Feb 17, 2010 on down)
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=37956 (T23 motherboard documentation)

[garysblim]

Thanks so much! That really helps! Now, all i need is a good soldering gun.

[RealBlackStuff]

Forget about a soldering gun, way too hot and cumbersome!
A 20-25W iron with fine tip is all you need. Pick one up for next to nothing in a DollarStore or go to RadioShack.

[garysblim]

thanks! I happen to have one sitting around. I'll give it a try and report back.