Help me fix this IBM Thinkpad T40

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Tristicus

Tristicus

Diamond Member
Feb 2, 2008
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So I've got a Thinkpad T40 sitting in front of me. Exterior is clean, the only thing that looks to be wrong with it is the insert key (which if I can get it working I'll be getting, not that big of a problem). The thing is, it will not boot. It won't even turn on. I see nothing that tells me it might be getting power at all. AC adapter is plugged in, battery is in (extended), but no LEDs light up with or without battery, no matter how long I hold the power button down for or anything.

My father said that he thought it was the motherboard, and was going to replace it possibly, but we didn't know if that was the problem. The laptop worked a while ago, as I used it for a summer, but it had been sitting in a laptop bag besides that. I don't know what is wrong with it, and Google has provided bad results.

How can I test the laptop? Could it be the motherboard? I also suspect possibly the adapter port (for power adapter) could be loose or completely gone? I've seen that in other laptops before. The laptop is upgraded as far as it can go as well, so that's one reason I'd like to revive it, and because of sentimental value as well.
 
J

junkyardDawg

Senior member
Oct 11, 2001
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The AC port connects to the mb with a small white connector, check it for a good connection. If it's not that you've probably got a bad mb.
 
Tristicus

Tristicus

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Feb 2, 2008
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Well, I opened it up, but the screen connector was covering the port and such, and I really didn't want to open it up too much further, but everything appeared to be fine.

If it is the mobo, what am I looking for? I've got the RAM, HDD, and battery and such, and can assume those are all working- processor and such is built in, correct?
 
J

junkyardDawg

Senior member
Oct 11, 2001
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If the mb is bad your options are limited. A new/refurbished board will run $150-200 and will not come with the cpu. You can find a used board on ebay, most come with the cpu and fan, but that's a crapshoot.

Before you go that route you might want to try a different AC adapter and check all connections, especially the LCD and AC port connectors.

If nothing else works and you decide to replace the mb, get a manual from http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/39t6192_01.pdf and check out http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewforum.php?f=2 , you'll find lots of good info there.
 
RalfHutter

RalfHutter

Diamond Member
Dec 29, 2000
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$65 for a working T4x mobo is a good deal.

Have you checked the fuse on the mobo yet? You can find it's location using the IBM documentation. It's not too hard to get to.
 
P

Plester

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 1999
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I had a T42 with a bum fuse. If you have a good soldering iron you can replace it. You can get a replacement fuse for a few $ from digikey or places like that. Otherwise tons of T4x mobos come up on fleabay just be patient.
 
Tristicus

Tristicus

Diamond Member
Feb 2, 2008
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I tried testing the AC adapter (and laptop) with a Professional Analog Multimeter that I have, and it didn't work on either. I also tested a regular battery with a good charge, and it wouldn't read, so I think the meter itself is screwed up. :? Just my luck...

I haven't got answers from the eBay parties yet, so I think I'm going to go ahead and jump on this, as it looks exactly the same as mine now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370341568393&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
 
Engineer

Engineer

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
39,230
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There was a thread at HardOCP's forum that talked about baking items to get them working (no, I'm not shitting you). There were several laptops dead. They stripped them down to the bare board and baked them for about 10 minutes at 375 or so. Most (if not all) worked after that. I'll see if I can dig up that thread just for kicks.
 
Engineer

Engineer

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
39,230
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Tristicus said:
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1421792

That one?

But that seems more for video problems...I don't think it would work for me.
Click to expand...

Read through it a bit (yes, right thread). There are illustrations for a laptop being torn down and baked. Amazing stuff.

Here is one of them.

By the way, don't know if any of this will work. Just thought it was interesting and thew it out there. YMMV and good luck if you try it. I would do it as a last resort...but if you tossing the board anyway....what could it hurt?
 
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Tristicus

Tristicus

Diamond Member
Feb 2, 2008
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www.wallpapereuphoria.com
I really hate when people won't give you straight answers. This guy keeps telling me to do this and that but won't tell me why, and it's getting on my nerves. I'm not going to trust someone if they can't explain it to me. I really want to get this fixed as well, and with my limited knowledge of laptops, I need a bit of guidance...
 
P

Paperlantern

Platinum Member
Apr 26, 2003
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I never buy parts from fleabay. Trusted distributors only so i know i'm covered if i get a DOA.

Did you say you tested the power adapter with a voltmeter? You thought the voltmeter was bad? What led you to believe this. Perhaps pick up another one somewhere, i have 2, they were $3 each at harbor freight. I keep one in a bag i carry with me, and one here in a drawer. Before i EVER buy parts, especially motherboards i always always always rule out the Ac Adapter first. If the laptop is dead as a doornail, even when plugged in, 90% of the time its just the adapter not giving it any juice. In the other 10%, THEN start looking for motherboard problems, connector issues, fuses and the like.

Did you VERIFY you had a good power adapter?
 
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Paperlantern

Platinum Member
Apr 26, 2003
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You used an LED? I'm not sure i follow. A voltmeter will tell you that the power you are getting is correct. An LED will just light up if its getting power. I have seen adapters put out too low or too high power, also causing the computer not to boot, meaning the adapter could be putting out voltage, just not the correct kind, but if you are sure its not an ac adapter problem then that is fine. I guess now the problem is RMAing the DOA board and trying to get a good one. Good luck to you.
 
Tristicus

Tristicus

Diamond Member
Feb 2, 2008
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www.wallpapereuphoria.com
The voltmeter I don't know if it is working, but I tested the LED to make sure it was at least giving some. The board and laptop power on, so it is getting at least adequate power for that, and the laptop gives a 1-3-3-1 which means it is either RAM or board, and it isn't the RAM.
 
J

junkyardDawg

Senior member
Oct 11, 2001
300
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What speed ram are you using? T40's use PC2100, but some later model mb's that are otherwise compatible need PC2700. It all depends on what model mb you've got.
 
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