IBM Thinkpad T42 Problem

Applecast · 03-11-2009, 03:49 AM

Hi,

I own an imb thinkpad t42 and have been having problems for a very long time now, and am beginning to get very frustrated with it all.
It started off not that bad, but has been elevating ever since.
The machine runs just fine (it is right now), but if I were to, say, pick it up off of this table and set it on my lap (or move it in any way at all) it will either freeze, or restart by itself. I've looked into this problem, but to no avail.

Also, occasionally it will freeze in the middle of start-up, forcing me to shut down, after which it will not start-up again for sometimes days. It seems once in a while if I open the cd-rom drive, it will start-up right away, but other times, it's useless.
If anyone can help, that would be VERY appreciated.
I like this laptop, but it's becoming a large nuisance to have to sit here for hours turning it on and having no luck, then finally when it starts up, I accidentally tap it, ever so lightly, and it freezes/restarts, causing me to lose whatever I may be doing at the time.
Thanks!!!

Mikhalkov · 03-11-2009, 06:14 AM

That sounds like an overheating problem. For cooling purposes, laptops are meant to be kept on hard, flat surfaces. So when you have it in your lap or on something soft, it overheats and locks up. However, that doesn't explain the tapping or moving problem. I think it might be a hard drive problem. Hard drives are fairly sensitive to shock, so that may be it.
Does anything other than a lockup happen if you were to tap the laptop? (e.g. the fan stops?)

Applecast · 03-11-2009, 07:38 AM

The fan works perfectly, as far as I can tell. The computer never feels hot or even a little warm. It had to be on this table at all times, because I can't move it whatsoever. If I were to tap the right side, next to the trackpad, it would freeze up for a second or two, then restart or shutdown. Depending on what it feels like doing, it could start right back up, or it could not turn back on for a day or two. I've had laptops in the past, and have had them sustain some pretty hard falls...but this is just ridiculous, I have to be careful not to hit the space bar too hard or type too fast or it will freeze//restart. I've tried removing all external parts besides power and starting up, but the same thing happens. I've also tried scanning it everyday with good software, and system restore. Nothing seems to help, at all.
I am contemplating just tossing it.
I've tried selling it on craigslist, but once people hear the problem, they instantly become uninterested.

**TriggerFinger** · 03-11-2009, 09:36 AM

Under the keyboard there is that chip with ATI printed on it. Try to push/press it down when you power ON and while still holding it down, simulate the actions/movements that would normally freeze the laptop. Another way to do this is put something in between the chip and the keyboard. Use folded paper thick enough to push the chip down when keyboard is locked in place.. then simulate the actions that make the laptop freeze.

phoenixaz · 03-22-2009, 10:37 AM

I have a similar situation. However, when my T42 laptop locks up or doesn't respond, I noticed the light for the hard drive stays on. If I listen closely, it makes certain sounds, pauses, and continues in a loop for up to hours. Then it works normally of a while. I'm afraid to power down as it took over an hour to boot up last time. Should I try the same tactic regarding the ATI chip? Thanks for your help.

03-11-2009, 03:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
Applecast Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2 OS: Windows XP	IBM Thinkpad T42 Problem Hi, I own an imb thinkpad t42 and have been having problems for a very long time now, and am beginning to get very frustrated with it all. It started off not that bad, but has been elevating ever since. The machine runs just fine (it is right now), but if I were to, say, pick it up off of this table and set it on my lap (or move it in any way at all) it will either freeze, or restart by itself. I've looked into this problem, but to no avail. Also, occasionally it will freeze in the middle of start-up, forcing me to shut down, after which it will not start-up again for sometimes days. It seems once in a while if I open the cd-rom drive, it will start-up right away, but other times, it's useless. If anyone can help, that would be VERY appreciated. I like this laptop, but it's becoming a large nuisance to have to sit here for hours turning it on and having no luck, then finally when it starts up, I accidentally tap it, ever so lightly, and it freezes/restarts, causing me to lose whatever I may be doing at the time. Thanks!!!

03-11-2009, 06:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mikhalkov Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 403 OS: Windows XP SP3	Re: IBM Thinkpad T42 Problem That sounds like an overheating problem. For cooling purposes, laptops are meant to be kept on hard, flat surfaces. So when you have it in your lap or on something soft, it overheats and locks up. However, that doesn't explain the tapping or moving problem. I think it might be a hard drive problem. Hard drives are fairly sensitive to shock, so that may be it. Does anything other than a lockup happen if you were to tap the laptop? (e.g. the fan stops?) __________________ "I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked with the best people, and I can assure you that data processing is a fad that won't last out the year." -1957 "Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons." -1949

03-11-2009, 07:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Applecast Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2 OS: Windows XP	Re: IBM Thinkpad T42 Problem The fan works perfectly, as far as I can tell. The computer never feels hot or even a little warm. It had to be on this table at all times, because I can't move it whatsoever. If I were to tap the right side, next to the trackpad, it would freeze up for a second or two, then restart or shutdown. Depending on what it feels like doing, it could start right back up, or it could not turn back on for a day or two. I've had laptops in the past, and have had them sustain some pretty hard falls...but this is just ridiculous, I have to be careful not to hit the space bar too hard or type too fast or it will freeze//restart. I've tried removing all external parts besides power and starting up, but the same thing happens. I've also tried scanning it everyday with good software, and system restore. Nothing seems to help, at all. I am contemplating just tossing it. I've tried selling it on craigslist, but once people hear the problem, they instantly become uninterested.

03-11-2009, 09:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,846 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: IBM Thinkpad T42 Problem Under the keyboard there is that chip with ATI printed on it. Try to push/press it down when you power ON and while still holding it down, simulate the actions/movements that would normally freeze the laptop. Another way to do this is put something in between the chip and the keyboard. Use folded paper thick enough to push the chip down when keyboard is locked in place.. then simulate the actions that make the laptop freeze. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

03-22-2009, 10:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
phoenixaz Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1 OS: Windows XP Professional SP3	Re: IBM Thinkpad T42 Problem I have a similar situation. However, when my T42 laptop locks up or doesn't respond, I noticed the light for the hard drive stays on. If I listen closely, it makes certain sounds, pauses, and continues in a loop for up to hours. Then it works normally of a while. I'm afraid to power down as it took over an hour to boot up last time. Should I try the same tactic regarding the ATI chip? Thanks for your help.