T61 Battery light flashes red and green

[grantm]

Hello:

My T61(type 8891) won't start. I'm getting a series of flashes from the battery and power lights:

A/C power connected: power light flashes green alternately and battery light flashes green then red/green.

AC off, battery installed: power light flashes green at the same time as the battery light flashes red/green.

This happened twice before in the past 2 weeks. After about an hour, it booted up - no problem. This time, nothing.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

what is the model number of your T61? xxxx-xxx. If you boot the laptop without the ram (located under the palmrest), is there any beeps?

[grantm]

Thanks for your response.....

Model # 8891-CTO

The laptop won't boot. All I get are the flashing lights.

I removed the ram - no difference.

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

which GPU does it have? Nvidia or Intel?

[grantm]

Nvidia

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

you would need a new motherboard, not sure what is the problem that caused this.

Did you have problem with the laptop prior to this incidence. 

[grantm]

It started about one month ago - no known cause. The problem happened 3 times since then but each time it booted up by itself  after a half hour or so. A new motherboard is going to set me back plenty but f it's needed, I guess I must get it repaired. I'm quite handy at taking the laptop apart. I've replaced the hinge, and bezel.

Maybe the fan is inoperable which may cause it to not boot up. Lately, I've been feeling exhaust air much warmer than before even if it's not being used. I blew the dust off it 3 weeks ago.

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

get a motherboard with intel x3100 GPU, most of the Nvidia GPU model motherboard on the web have nvidia GPU problem. 

[grantm]

Can I request Lenovo to install a motherboard with the Intel GPU? If not, have they fixed the Nvidia problem?

BTW, I appreciate your help......

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

they can only change the motherboard with the exact spec as the one you bought with, so the answer is no. Without warranty a motherboard change is around 700 USD min. You may want to get a refurbed R400 from outlet.lenovo.com instead.