IBM Thinkpad start button doesn't work

Lowec55 · 08-18-2007, 08:48 PM

I purchased a refurbished thinkpad. Didn't use it until the warranty was gone. I have replaced the battery and hard drive. The battery charges, goes from yellow to green, but the start button still doesn't initiate.
What now?

**TheMatt** · 08-18-2007, 09:42 PM

What specifically happens when you push the power button?

Moving you to laptops.

Lowec55 · 08-19-2007, 12:29 PM

The green battery light blinks once when I depress the key, there is a slight start up sound then nothing. The screen never lights up - nothing happens. It looks like the machine does when it is turned off.

**TheMatt** · 08-19-2007, 02:11 PM

Does the fan spin up?

Try depressing the key for 10 - 15 seconds and then let go. Then try to power up.

Also, if you haven't already, try running off AC power but without the battery. Also, try running with just the battery in and no AC power.

Lowec55 · 08-19-2007, 03:25 PM

1. With AC and battery - There is no fan start, the green battery light is on, and depressing the on/off button it blinks once and no power on.

2. With AC and no battery - There is no green light and same process as above, the is the same as in 1.

3. With battery only - When depressing the on/off key the green battery light blinks once and still no power up or fan.

Remember I have replaced the battery and hard drive only at this point. Now what?

Thanks. Christine (lowec55)

**TheMatt** · 08-19-2007, 03:44 PM

Well, my knowledge of troubleshooting tells me that there are four possible bad components:

1. Power cord
2. Power supply (that brick on the floor)
3. Motherboard (main circuit board, difficult to replace)
4. RAM (easy to replace, already tested)

You said you already tried one stick and then the other, so the RAM is likely out. I would test the power jack coming from the power supply with a multimeter if you have one.

08-18-2007, 08:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
Lowec55 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP	IBM Thinkpad start button doesn't work I purchased a refurbished thinkpad. Didn't use it until the warranty was gone. I have replaced the battery and hard drive. The battery charges, goes from yellow to green, but the start button still doesn't initiate. What now?

08-18-2007, 09:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,702 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: IBM Thinkpad start button doesn't work What specifically happens when you push the power button? Moving you to laptops. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

08-19-2007, 12:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lowec55 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP	Re: IBM Thinkpad start button doesn't work The green battery light blinks once when I depress the key, there is a slight start up sound then nothing. The screen never lights up - nothing happens. It looks like the machine does when it is turned off.

08-19-2007, 02:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,702 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: IBM Thinkpad start button doesn't work Does the fan spin up? Try depressing the key for 10 - 15 seconds and then let go. Then try to power up. Also, if you haven't already, try running off AC power but without the battery. Also, try running with just the battery in and no AC power. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

08-19-2007, 03:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
Lowec55 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP	Re: IBM Thinkpad start button doesn't work 1. With AC and battery - There is no fan start, the green battery light is on, and depressing the on/off button it blinks once and no power on. 2. With AC and no battery - There is no green light and same process as above, the is the same as in 1. 3. With battery only - When depressing the on/off key the green battery light blinks once and still no power up or fan. Remember I have replaced the battery and hard drive only at this point. Now what? Thanks. Christine (lowec55)

08-19-2007, 03:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,702 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: IBM Thinkpad start button doesn't work Well, my knowledge of troubleshooting tells me that there are four possible bad components: 1. Power cord 2. Power supply (that brick on the floor) 3. Motherboard (main circuit board, difficult to replace) 4. RAM (easy to replace, already tested) You said you already tried one stick and then the other, so the RAM is likely out. I would test the power jack coming from the power supply with a multimeter if you have one. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides