T400s random shutdowns

[christianzh]

I got a 60Y system board this week. Will keep you guys updated whether this solved the power off problem or not...

[pleon]

How do you know it is 60Y serie MB? I have in my T400s MB replaced as well last week ago, but i do not know, how to check series, without puting out plastic cover. Thanks

[christianzh]

I asked for the FRU number of the new system board when I went there to pick it up. Maybe you can call them and ask for this info as well.

[houtsma]

If you call them and mention your case number with which your MB got replaced, they can tell you the revision number of the new MB.

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jan

[tobyg]

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tobyg wrote:

Well, I've been going for over a week now without a random shutdown.

I know for a fact that the 3 times I've experienced the random shutdowns, I was plugged into A/C and running off of A/C and I was NOT on a UPS.  When I'm on a UPS I have yet to have a random shutdown.

I primarily use my machine on A/C and almost always plugged into a UPS.  The 3 times so far I've had the random shutdowns I was not on a UPS.

Maybe there is something in this notebook that is very sensitive to power when using A/C.  Seems like a hardware problem to me.  I really don't want to return this notebook and try to find another with similar specs.

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Well I'm glad after 5+ months a fix may have been found.  Lets hope at least.  This explains why I never had the issue when using a UPS.  Looks like something in the unit is very sensitive to voltages, and when given clean power it didn't seem to exhibit the issue.  But any time I was on non-clean A/C, I was shutting down at least once a day, sometimes more.  This makes it very hard to get work done.

I had to return my unit.  I'm back to my T61, and have been using it reliabily ever since returning the T400s.  I really want a W510 or maybe a T410s, but I will wait for quite a few months before purchasing one, if at all.  I can't buy a notebook for business and not have it be dependable.

This thread and the response from Lenovo regarding this issue on a notebook that was very important to them, does not give me great confidence in their products or support.  Luckily, there are many alternatives.

[RO-TPfor]

As I reported previously, the MB on my T-400s was replaced last week with a 60Y part. 

In doing so, the tech apparently damaged the keyboard as it thereafter froze intermittently (mouse still worked; outboard USB keyboard worked).  The Lenovo diagnosis was a damaged KB so, a new KB was ordered and replaced two days later 

Later that same day the machine totally stopped working.  When pressing the power button, the surrounding green LED glowed, you'd hear a momentary "clack" from the DVD - and then nothing.  No sound of HDD access.  No HDD light.  The Lenovo diagnosis: total MB failure.

Of course, there are NO MBs available in North America.  A shipment is enroute from China and expected to be available for install in 5-10 business days (that's 7-14 calendar days!). 

And, as I have for most of the past 5 1/2 months, I am using my T-61p - the one this T-400s was supposed to replace.

5 1/2 months for Lenovo engineering to come up with a fix. 

Now this.  One has to question the value of the three-year on-site service contract...among the other things one has to question.

[houtsma]

Well, for me the 3 years on-site warranty was perfect. Didn't have to send my laptop away for one or two weeks. Engineer came at my work and replaced the MB witin an hour and i was on my way again. Problem fixed. You just have had bad luck with your new MB. And of course with the previous MB with the shutdown problem, which of course took way too long. But that hit everybody who were early adopters of the t400s. Regretfully. But i admit the shutdown was a difficult problem to find the solution for. Still, it took very long and they could have helped targeted people with for example another model. Anyway.

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jan

[2801AQU]

I'm holding out for the 63Y MB myself....  I want to go thru this BS only once, so why not wait for the latest MB to get restocked.  I can deal with the shutdown issue at the moment, since for me 1-2 times a week..

Rev 1 of anything has risks, and this box was no exception.

[RO-TPfor]

I, of course, agree on the three-year on-site warranty.  I have it on all four of my current Thinkpads.

The question was, I guess, tongue in cheek because notwithstanding the three-year on-site warranty, I still don't have a usable computer. 

But yes, the two service visits so far and the one that will arise when the MB shipment arrives from China save me from packing, shipping, waiting for the return shipping and then (given my experience) the repacking, reshipping......

[2801AQU]

Has anyone had an MB board replacement for this issue with a 63Y series board?  I think that's the latest rev.

All I see are posts that are 60Y.

** Also, I don't see any posts where the problem came back after the MB was replaced.