T61p exhibiting 1 long and 2 short beep and black screen

[TuuS]

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mahmudaq wrote:

Thanks TuuS, I've gone ahead and bought a brand new T420 now because I needed it immediately for work. And am quite happy with it. Even though I've had the T61's graphics card die twice on me, I just couldn't help buying another ThinkPad  

As for the poor old T61, I definitely want to repair it. Here's what its current state is:

When I turn it on, the status lights blink, the fan spins and then stops. Nothing is displayed on the screen. Also note that before this, I opened it up and reapplied the thermal grease after blowing dust out of the fan assembly. When I put it back together, I've been seeing nothing on the screen.

My guess is I should replace the motherboard. However, this time I would like to replace it with an Intel graphics board. For that I'm assuming the fan assembly will have to be changed as well. What other parts need to be changed or is this not a feasible option?

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I'd like to know some specific info on your system, if you could send me a private message with the full model, serial number and date code that would help, just don't post it in the forum it's a violation of forum rules. Also tell me about your previous repairs, if you had someone attempt to reflow the processor, then it's no surprise that it didn't last, and you can't lame lenovo or even nVidia. A good analogy would be how you can sometimes tap on a lightbulb and get it to light up again, but you know it will only last mins, perhaps hours, or until the next time it's tapped or bumped. I wouldn't even call that a repair, but unfortunately some places do this and sell the service as a "repair", then blame nVidia or Lenovo when you return with it dead again.

You're best bet would be a good used board from an 08/08 system, but an Intel board is an option, but they are also quite hard to find. 

[sktn77a]

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eecon wrote:

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sktn77a wrote:
Oh, I already have. The computer is still under its original 5 year factory warranty (until July). I'll be pissed if it craps out again, shortly thereafter, though!

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Okay sounds good .... please keep us posted as you approach July and be sure to run the heck out of it until then with lots of daily on and off cycles to stress the Nvidia chip (leave off for at least 15 minutes during each cycle).

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Well, sent the computer off to EasyServe on Thursday evening and received it back first thing Monday morning, up and running again.  I really can't complain at the repair process or time taken.  I just hope I didn't get another duff motherboard!

[TuuS]

Repaired boards do sometimes fail. but I think it's unlikely you'd get another bad one, so I wouldn't worry...   just enjoy the machine.

[eest]

totally disagree.. i had the free repair in 2010(out of warranty) and after 10 months, the same symptom occured thus the T61's rendered useless and rotting since october 2011. i cant do anything about having it fixed as i have to undergo the same procedure in complaining and kinda tired but i did email mark but it seems like he's not monitoring this thread anymore. The person in charge(philipine repair center accredited by lenovo) specifically said it will unlikely to fail again (later motherboard version or something like that) but it did fail and in a very short time too. Was very frustrated then and still until now but then I had to move on.. anyhow, am still hoping a miracle reply from mark or whoever so as to have the laptop working again. thanks,

[eecon]

@eest ..... Welcome the Forum.   A forensic exam of the date code stamped on the Nvidia chip found on your replaced motherboard would provide the Forum and yourself potentially valueable information (and may give you the evidence you need to have Lenovo make things right again).

If you are willing to spend 15 minutes and review the following instructional links, a date code from the upper right hand corner of the Nvidia chip, could be of benefit:

http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/T61-and-prior-T-series-ThinkPad/T61-and-T61p-fan-and-heatsink-thermal-gr...

http://www.lenovoservicetraining.com/ion/

(Choose the T61/T61p Fan Assembly Removal Video from the Training Videos .... 2nd Link)

Please keep us posted on what you find should you wish to persue this further ...... thank you.

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[TuuS]

Regarding repaired boards that failed, Lenovo did tens of thousands of free repairs, if even 1% failed, this forum would be flooded with these reports. I know it really stinks when you have one die after believing it was fixed for good, but statistics say it has to happen. It's very stressful to a 3-4yo board when you heat it up to over 400 degrees, all those components, as well as the board itself get quite stressed from the heat, but it's the only way to solder the chip on unless it's done during initial manufacturing, so you're going to get a certain failure rate.

[Sjwatt]

Hi Tuus, I had my t61p go 1 long 2 short black screen/no VGA on me a couple of months ago, out of warranty and collecting dust. I was wondering if you could help me find / possibly provide me with a replacement mobo? The type is 6460-8wu and the date on the underside is 08/06. Please let me know if you can help or if you need more info! Thanks

[gogoneil]

I just had this problem start today.  Put the T61 into hibernation, and then had no display when I tried to wake it.  Powered on and off, got the three beeps, and then no display (no BIOS even).  Tried swapping memory, removing the battery, etc.   Still no dispaly, and now no beeps.  Lenovo phone support just said "it's out of warranty, you're out of luck."  I saw that some with the same problem were able to get this repaired in the past, even if the warranty had expired.  Is that support still offered?

Any info/guidance is greatly appreaciated.

[TuuS]

Lenovo did fix thousands of these after warranty expired, but your about a year to late to get that free repair. The most cost effective repair is a used system board.

[eecon]

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gogoneil wrote:

I just had this problem start today.  Put the T61 into hibernation, and then had no display when I tried to wake it.  Powered on and off, got the three beeps, and then no display (no BIOS even).  Tried swapping memory, removing the battery, etc.   Still no dispaly, and now no beeps.  Lenovo phone support just said "it's out of warranty, you're out of luck."  I saw that some with the same problem were able to get this repaired in the past, even if the warranty had expired.  Is that support still offered?

Any info/guidance is greatly appreaciated.

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Expanding on the comment from my friend TuuS ..... Alternatively, the easiest repair (but not necessarily the most cost effective) is to consider purchasing a similar used T61 and simply swap in your hard drive (or a T61p as the unit does not have to be an exact match) .... I'm sure TuuS or I could also advise regarding locating a suitable unit swap candidate, if you prefer that route.

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