recovering data from a dead T60

[Ianski]

My T60 seems to have bitten the dust, 6 months after the end of the warranty. Similar to the problem other people have reported - nothing happens when you push the start button, it just won't start up. If I disconnect the battery and plug in the AC adapter, the green LED for the plug-in lights up, and the battery light flashes once, but no go. According to the other posts this means my CPU and/or mainboard is likely toast, probably due to a failed fan. (I thought these things were supposed to have circuitry to protect from overheating?) The computer wasn't even in use when it died - I'd left it plugged in and running on my kitchen table. Came home from work and it was dead. I tried removing the hard drive, RAM, DVD, etc. and booting it with the AC adapter, still nothing.

I want to recover the data from the 80 GB stock SATA drive. I have a desktop computer with SATA connections on its power supply - can I simply hook up the drive to those connectors? They look like they are the same size as the ones on the laptop... I've done this before with the older ATA laptop drives (using an ATA - IDE adapter) - can it be done with SATA drives directly or do I need an adapter of some kind? I have my fingers crossed that the drive will be readable - last backup was a few weeks ago.

I'll try pulling the whole thing apart to see if I can find or fix the problem. Very frustrating - I expected better than 3 1/2 years' service from a 'business-grade' laptop such as this (I have a 10 year old A21m that still works perfectly.)

[Harryc]

Laptop and desktop SATA hard drives use the same power and signal connections.

[richk]

First, the drive will work fine with another sata connection. (I'm assuming you don't have a password on it) The thing does shut off if it overheats, but having said that, if it constantly runs hot, due to a bad or clogged fan, the heat can, over time, cause things to fail. Try removing the battery and unplugging it. Then, press the power button several times, holding it for a full 5 seconds the last time. Plug it in and try to start it

[Ianski]

Thanks for the quick reply. Thank goodness, I didn't set a password at the hardware level (there is a windows XP password, of course, but that's easy to get around.) I've already tried the power button trick. For now I'll start with getting my data off that drive. Then I'll attempt to disassemble the unit, following the steps in the HMM, and see if I can see any obvious heat-damage or a clogged up fan. This is the first time it has ever failed to start - I had no warning of any sort of problem developing. Worst-case scenario, I can pick up another T60 or T61 and use the same battery, docking station, hard drive, DVD-RW, adapters, etc., in it.

First, the drive will work fine with another sata connection. (I'm assuming you don't have a password on it) The thing does shut off if it overheats, but having said that, if it constantly runs hot, due to a bad or clogged fan, the heat can, over time, cause things to fail. Try removing the battery and unplugging it. Then, press the power button several times, holding it for a full 5 seconds the last time. Plug it in and try to start it

[Ianski]

I was able to hook up the drive with SATA power and data cables in my desktop, and successfully retrieved my data. Thanks for confirming that this was do-able! Having taken care of the real emergency, I can take my time with the next step - determining the cause of the problem and deciding whether to fix or replace. Would be really nice if its just a case of a clogged fan tripping a fail-safe, but as someone said, it is more likely that the mobo or CPU is toast.

[Ianski]

I wish I could determine with certainty which component failed, without swapping in new parts (which I don't have). I took the machine apart last night - removed the keyboard, wrist-rest, hard drive, and DVD-RW. There was some dust in the fan but not an undue amount - I was still able to make it move by blowing air on it. Connecting the AC adapter, however, just causes the battery light to flash once, and the green plug symbol to light up - nothing else. I couldn't see any visible evidence of overheating - scorch marks, chalky residue, etc. I wonder if it could be something as simple as a failure of the power button itself. Is there a way to power up the computer besides pressing the button?

Since the street value of a 100% working T60 is only about $400, it probably isn't worth looking much further - just have to bite the bullet and replace it, perhaps with another T60 or T61 so I can at least salvage the battery, RAM, hard drive, and DVD-RW as spare parts. I also have a docking station and a pair of power supplies. With a bit of luck, maybe the operating system & recovery discs will work on another T60 as long as the hardware is near-identical?

First, the drive will work fine with another sata connection. (I'm assuming you don't have a password on it) The thing does shut off if it overheats, but having said that, if it constantly runs hot, due to a bad or clogged fan, the heat can, over time, cause things to fail. Try removing the battery and unplugging it. Then, press the power button several times, holding it for a full 5 seconds the last time. Plug it in and try to start it

[richk]

If you have a dock, that has a power button you can try. BTW, the street price is $300

[Ianski]

Thanks for the dock tip - I tried that but no luck.

I was able to pick up a T61 6457-4UU - sans hard drive - for less than $300. Glad I was patient and looked around a bit before purchasing.

[RealBlackStuff]

That was good hunting!
BTW, what are you doing with your dead soldier? (T60 I mean)

[Ianski]

I'll pull off the parts I can use on the T61 (hard drive, RAM, possibly the keyboard/trackpoint, battery, DVD-RW) and then I guess I'll sell off whatever's left. The new one's a 15 inch model, so the chassis, bezel and screen aren't much use to me as spare parts.

[RealBlackStuff]

I may be interested in the (14.1") base only, if in good condition and the price is right.

[Ianski]

Sorry for the delay in replying. I'm still in the process of getting the new system up and running but once that's done I'll let you know what I'm asking for the 14.1" base. I've already pulled the RAM, hard drive, DVD-RW, and battery from it for the new system. It is otherwise in very good condition, no cracks or scratches on it.

I'll probably pull the wireless/bluetooth, and possibly the keyboard, ultranav and fingerprint reader, once I determine their cross-compatibility... spare parts are a good thing to have with laptops of this vintage!

I may be interested in the (14.1") base only, if in good condition and the price is right.

[CeeDee]

When you are ready to start parting out, I would be interested in the LCD with or without the lid if it is an sxga+

[RealBlackStuff]

Sorry for the delay in replying. I'm still in the process of getting the new system up and running but once that's done I'll let you know what I'm asking for the 14.1" base. I've already pulled the RAM, hard drive, DVD-RW, and battery from it for the new system. It is otherwise in very good condition, no cracks or scratches on it.

I'll probably pull the wireless/bluetooth, and possibly the keyboard, ultranav and fingerprint reader, once I determine their cross-compatibility... spare parts are a good thing to have with laptops of this vintage!

Thanks for your reply.
I'd only like the base itself (with the HD cover if possible), no keyboard/palmrest etc.