T61p exhibiting 1 long and 2 short beep and black screen

[TuuS]

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dracore wrote:

Wow this is nuts.  Seems like everyone who has purchased a T61 is finally getting this problem a few years down the road.  I just got mine too but fixed it with a heat gun!  Bought a $8 heat gun, removed keyboard and CPU/GPU heat sink.  Powered on the heat gun and directed it at the GPU for about 2 mins.  Let it cool down and powered up my machine, works once again!!

And I didn't even have to bake the whole board in the oven.  Nice!  I was seriously on the verge of buying a new laptop but now I don't need to and can delay my purchase for another few years :-)

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You can delay for a few days, maybe a few weeks if your really lucky. You didn't fix the problem, your GPU still has the same internal fractures, all you did was manage to move the internal components of the chip by expanding them and got some momentary conduction. This is very similar to when you tap on a dead lightbulb and it lights back up again. 

Your success will be shortlived.

[eecon]

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dracore wrote:

Wow this is nuts.  Seems like everyone who has purchased a T61 is finally getting this problem a few years down the road.  I just got mine too but fixed it with a heat gun!  Bought a $8 heat gun, removed keyboard and CPU/GPU heat sink.  Powered on the heat gun and directed it at the GPU for about 2 mins.  Let it cool down and powered up my machine, works once again!!

And I didn't even have to bake the whole board in the oven.  Nice!  I was seriously on the verge of buying a new laptop but now I don't need to and can delay my purchase for another few years :-)

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Welcome to the Forum dracore ..... Please be sure stop by monthly and let us know how your "fix" is doing .... Thanks!

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[trl]

Hi,

Am new to Lenovo laptops and this forum.  I've been reading this 132 page post with great interest, since I just acquired a working T61P with a plan to repair when necessary and upgrade performance if needed.  The unit details are:  type 6458-FB5, 08/05 build date, T9300 cpu, 100GBx7200rpm HD, 256mb Nvidia GPU, 1000x1600 LCD.  Bought this from a local Craigslist seller for $250 who appears to be an ex-eBay reseller of older Lenovos and is probably dumping remaining inventory - I'm also awaiting for his email response for this issue (not expecting one but maybe I'll get lucky - he does have working T61's but with 14" screens).  Anyway, I really like the build quality, 15 " matte screen, and performance of this machine while it worked, and would like to pursue repair if total cost (price+repair+upgrade) can be <= $700-$800.

The unit worked fine for 2 days, then died with the usual bad Nvidia GPU problem - 1 long + 2 short beeps, and blank screen. 

I'm not a gamer, so it looks like I'm looking for an Intel based T61 GPU motherboard or a T61P MB replacemnt if the Nvidia GPU is of a recent date and not too expensive - but I want these options to be compatible with the faster T9300 cpu.  I'm not comfortable dealing with eBay sellers from China, having been burned in the past as an eBay buyer.   Thanks for all the good information in this post.

[TuuS]

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trl wrote:

Hi,

Am new to Lenovo laptops and this forum.  I've been reading this 132 page post with great interest, since I just acquired a working T61P with a plan to repair when necessary and upgrade performance if needed.  The unit details are:  type 6458-FB5, 08/05 build date, T9300 cpu, 100GBx7200rpm HD, 256mb Nvidia GPU, 1000x1600 LCD.  Bought this from a local Craigslist seller for $250 who appears to be an ex-eBay reseller of older Lenovos and is probably dumping remaining inventory - I'm also awaiting for his email response for this issue (not expecting one but maybe I'll get lucky - he does have working T61's but with 14" screens).  Anyway, I really like the build quality, 15 " matte screen, and performance of this machine while it worked, and would like to pursue repair if total cost (price+repair+upgrade) can be <= $700-$800.

The unit worked fine for 2 days, then died with the usual bad Nvidia GPU problem - 1 long + 2 short beeps, and blank screen. 

I'm not a gamer, so it looks like I'm looking for an Intel based T61 GPU motherboard or a T61P MB replacemnt if the Nvidia GPU is of a recent date and not too expensive - but I want these options to be compatible with the faster T9300 cpu.  I'm not comfortable dealing with eBay sellers from China, having been burned in the past as an eBay buyer.   Thanks for all the good information in this post.

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Your experience is typical of a system that's had it's board "baked" or "reflowed", the repair (if you can call it that) never lasts. The only repair is a board that has never failed, and I doubt you'll ever find one on ebay.

The good news is I can help you for a lot less then your budget plan, send me a PM with your model and serial numbers if you'd like my help and I'll get you some info on getting a board.

[eecon]

Looks like failed pre-Aug 2008 build (08/08) T61/T61p units are now being used in Craigslist and eBay scams .... i.e. the failed Nvidia chip is revitalized temporarily with heat-guns or the oven and then dumped on unsuspecting buyers.

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[TuuS]

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eecon wrote:

Looks like failed pre-Aug 2008 build (08/08) T61/T61p units are now being used in Craigslist and eBay scams .... i.e. the failed Nvidia chip is revitalized temporarily with heat-guns or the oven and then dumped on unsuspecting buyers.

_____________________________________ 

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Yes, it's quite a scam.

[BabyDaisy]

Hi,

Googled my problem (1 long beep and 2 short beeps) and found myself here. I've had my t61p for 4 years now and my warranty ended just two weeks ago, just my luck! I was wondering if finding a replacement board is my only option at this point? If so, where would be the best place to find one?

Thanks in advance.

[TuuS]

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BabyDaisy wrote:

Hi,

Googled my problem (1 long beep and 2 short beeps) and found myself here. I've had my t61p for 4 years now and my warranty ended just two weeks ago, just my luck! I was wondering if finding a replacement board is my only option at this point? If so, where would be the best place to find one?

Thanks in advance.

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Hi, I've helped other members to find a replacement board and would be glad to help you if you like. I'll need the model, serial and date code as well as the model number of the cpu processor installed. If you'd like my help, send them to me in a private message, do NOT post them in the public forum, and I'll figure out what is the best option for your system.

[vinn]

I found this forum after searching for answers to  beeps and black screen with my T61. I called lenovo but was told they would not fix it. After reading many of the posts  I guess the only option is to replace the board. I am looking for help of where to find one or what else can be done. Thanks.

[TuuS]

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vinn wrote:

I found this forum after searching for answers to  beeps and black screen with my T61. I called lenovo but was told they would not fix it. After reading many of the posts  I guess the only option is to replace the board. I am looking for help of where to find one or what else can be done. Thanks.

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You're welcome to do as is suggested in the post directly above yours and I'll try to help.