deanjen

The problem is a bit strange, though...

The laptop can boot, go into bios, and go through Windows XP installation...Heck, it even completes 8+ hours of Prime95 burn-in test.

However, whenever I apply some pressure(only minor) on palm rest(both sides) and surrounding area of keyboard, the laptop will shut down(or go into sleep and never wake up).

I was told that this is a motherboard's problem(which I suspect, at least some contact problems with short-circuit due to the pressure applied). Is there any solution? Obviously spending so much $$$ for a new / refurb. motherboard really isn't a good option here... Thank you.

TriggerFinger

Does it happen also if you are in BIOS setup? Boot into BIOS setup and apply pressure to those pressure points you described. Also if you can remove the keyboard and palmrest and locate the devices underneath which can be directly affected when you apply pressure on top.

deanjen

yes, even during BIOS it still does the same thing.

Unfortunately, it seems to me that basically any part on the "bottom" portion(palm rest, area surrounding keypad, even the keypad itself) has suffered this problem. It seems to me that there may be a point or 2 that gets into "short-circuit" mode whenever I press it...but it may be tough to find which point it is.

I'll try to do the dissection and remove the keypad later today...Still, any suggestion?

TriggerFinger

I have a T42 and in just under the palmrest is PCMCIA card slot (left side) and the hard drive on the right side. Of course the touchpad is in the middle of it all but directly under it is the speaker and I think the CMOS battery.

As for the keyboard, right side has the CD drive, left side is the CPU, somewhere in the middle and near the palmrest is the video chip. Middle part near the switch almost opposite side of the video chip is the RAM.

I just cannot imagine which one of these is making it shutdown. I am thinking it is a GPU problem. Before I had mine repaired, I need to press the video chip to apply pressure to it to see anything on the screen. I never experienced any shutdown but it is possible.

I guess opening it up is the only way to go.

deanjen

Thanks...:) I'll give it a try and see how things go.

So far basically pressing any area around the bottom half of laptop will cause this one to sleep / shut-down or give me a black screen with power LED still on...sigh...running out of idea.

Any idea where I can get it fixed or any recommendation on local repair shot(I'm in Los Angeles, CA)...?

TriggerFinger

If you just want it diagnosed and identify what is wrong with it, may be any computer repair shop will do. However if it is a GPU problem and you need to have it fixed, try this http://www.superiorreball.com/. Call them and ask for a quote.

deanjen

Ok, I am able to isolate the "pressure" point by basically hanging the laptop in the mid air.

Taking out the keyboard really doesn't help much, although it is nice to see the interior from time to time...and it is nice to know that if I can fix this one I know where to put 1st SODIMM.

Turn out, the point where any pressure(from top & bottom) can bring this laptop to a halt is located right at the "rubber feet" of lower-right corner...Any other place is actually okay; however, when this particular point is pressed(top & bottom together), almost definitely it'll bring my laptop to a halt.

This is also where the laptop hard drive is seated, so I take out the hard drive and got into the BIOS. Pressing the same point will also bring down the laptop.

I'm not about to stick my finger into the hard drive socket while the computer is still on in order to determine whether it is the top or bottom portions...still, any idea about potential solution? Does T42 have some kind of drive protective mechanism that will halt the computer whenever pressure is applied? Over-protective, maybe?

deanjen

Ok, I am able to isolate the "pressure" point by basically hanging the laptop in the mid air.

Taking out the keyboard really doesn't help much, although it is nice to see the interior from time to time...and it is nice to know that if I can fix this one I know where to put 1st SODIMM.

Turn out, the point where any pressure(from top & bottom) can bring this laptop to a halt is located right at the "rubber feet" of lower-right corner...Any other place is actually okay; however, when this particular point is pressed(top & bottom together), almost definitely it'll bring my laptop to a halt.

This is also where the laptop hard drive is seated, so I take out the hard drive and got into the BIOS. Pressing the same point will also bring down the laptop.

I'm not about to stick my finger into the hard drive socket while the computer is still on in order to determine whether it is the top or bottom portions...still, any idea about potential solution? I am a right-hander, and this particular pressure point is dead-on my right palm-rest area...so it means whenever I type I simply gather a great chance of killing whatever I type...such an irony...

Does T42 have some kind of drive protective mechanism that will halt the computer whenever pressure is applied? Over-protective, maybe?

TriggerFinger

If you want to open it up there is a service manual available in IBM website. That would guide you how to take it apart and really see what is shorting out in that area. You do not need to stick your finger in there