T61p exhibiting 1 long and 2 short beep and black screen

[texudo]

A bad news for the guys who replaced the new mainboard for T61 or T61p.

I have opened my "dead" T61p and found that: The NVIDIA VGA is the latest version: VGA G86 - 950 -A2...( My T61p was replaced by Lenovo Services Contractor last year and dead again after one year).

That's mean: all the new maiboards that Lenovo Services Contractor could have the same problem, and dead again after 1 or 2 years ...lets wait and see.

[rossv]

Hi,

That indicates nothing. It is the date code that is important, and you have not mentioned it.

[eecon]

Correct ..... only the date code printed on the Nvidia GPU is of any importance.

Texudo .... shame on you ..... you've been on this Forum long enough to know better.

 So what is your date code printed on your  current Nvidia chip?

__________________________________

[yasuaki]

Hi,

I think my T61P maybe having GPU issue, though it isn't beeping at me.  I have tried external monitor, no good.  I have tried changing the memory also no good.  But it does beep when there is no memory.  Could this be the GPU?  Thanks.

[rossv]

Hi,

If your screen and external monitor is dead, and your T61p appears to be 'locked up' when you turn it on, yet when you remove all the memory it is beeping at you, then it probably is the GPU.

You can better confirm it using a POST diagnostics card if you have access to one (or you can get a cheap one from Ebay). The T61p can use either a parallel port based one or a PCI Express one.

[yasuaki]

rossv,

Thanks for the info.  Its warranty expired in April, and has been good up till now.

I have tried to contact Mark from mentioned in this thread but he has not replied.

[Mark_Lenovo Former Administrator]

yasuaki,

I'll check for your PM.

All, 

Our extended repairs on these ended in March 31, 2011 so while I'll try to reply and offer what suggestions I can, I am not able to arrange to repair these units outside of warranty.

Best regards,

Mark

[x-server]

Oh, it's not good. I swear never buy anything from lenovo.

[mixz1]

Well, my 6459 CTO T61/p is now at the depot for its 4th system board. They installed the 3rd system board last week and it was defective (no TrackPad nor TrackPoint, yes KB connected)). Thanks for extended warranties. 

I am really questioning whether the "new" boards really have improved NVIDIA chips on them. The computer was purchased in August, 2007. I have to assume that by first fail in November 2008 or at least second fail in January 2010 the old, defective NVIDIA chips were withdrawn. Yet my machine continues to burn them up. And, obviously there are some QC issues with replacements as well, as evidenced by Lenovo shipping a replacement planar with a damaged pointer chipset.

At 149 USD per extension, I've gotten my value out of the warranties, but I've been informed that I will not be able to extend the warranty any further due to the age of the machine. I can understand that, but Lenovo will have to understand when for the first time since my original 701C I will be considering other manufacturers.

[eecon]

mixz1 ..... thought I recognized you from the ThinkPad Forum's old Stereo Mix discussion thread from a couple of years ago .... nice to hear from you again.

I'd open up the unit, lift and remove the fan/heat sink assembly per the instructional links and Lenovo training videos below and verify all the printing on your latest Nvidia GPU ..... if it has a date code of July 2008 or earlier, then call it in as a valid compliant.  Lenovo is committed to weeding those old defective GPUs out of the system, yet some of their Contract depot repair centers are less than committed to that high level of customer satisfaction.

It is an easy thing to check and while you are at it, also replace the cheap thermal grease the depots use with some good Arctic Silver 5 in order to really keep things cooler (as suggested by Mark Lenovo regarding the AS-5 thermal compound).

Here you go:

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

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

Good luck!

________________________________