ThinkPad T21 locks up

[BUTT_UGLY]

Had a problem with my used ThinkPad locking at shut-down, (not turning off) seemingly had picked up a virus. Could not get the virus fixed so I re-formated the 20 gig hd and began to re-install Windoze Pro..... all went well initially during the install but about half way through "installing devices" it locks up. Does it at exactly the same time every time. Unplugged the mouse and wireless lan card. Set bios to defaults. Same thing. Tried installing XP Home and once again the same thing happens, while installing devices, no interupt error given, nothing. Checked the backup battery and it is 2.93v. Pulled the HD and DVD/CD out and reinserted memory, no difference. Ran Memtest all night long, passed with flying colors with 256meg memory.
Can anyone help much less advise a new mainboard?

[Mjölnir]

Since you've done memtest, I'd say the next step would be to runt the IBM/Hitachi DFT (Drive Fitness Test) on your HDD.

[BUTT_UGLY]

Ran PCDOCTOR for this particular model of ThinkPad that I downloaded from IBM, no test failures. Disassembled the notebook completely, reassembled it and the problem still exists. Swapped ram into all possible configurations to no avail. Runs dos stuff just fine but still locks 1/2 into installing devices while running XP setup. Finally got fed-up and ordered a new system board which will bring my cost of this unit up to that of a refurbished T-21.

[BUTT_UGLY]

Ok, I installed a new system board but the same problem still exists. I'm goint to try more aggressive diagnostics than PCDoctor.

[Tigsman]

what is the machine type and model #, 2647-???


T

[BUTT_UGLY]

Its a 2647 4AU, the new systemboard came in a factory sealed antistatic envelope and has a rather old bios version ('99).

The laptop itself is refurbished, has new product ID stickers on top of the original ones. Has two sticks of 128 meg PC100 memory and the laptop did work when I bought it.

After a couple days usage with the XPPro that was pre-installed, just surfing the web it would not shut down from XPPro so I tried a clean install of my own XP SP1 and thats when the install issue appeared.

With the XP SP1 cd, I re-formatted the 20 gig HD and still had the same issue.

Like I said before in this thread, I've run diagnostics downloaded from IBM onto a bootable cd. Comes up clean and error free. Same thing with MemTest3. Tried to install two versions of XP, Home and Pro SP1, locks up 1/2 way through "Installing Devices". I presume thats done with data from the I386 folder, copied that folder from a working install onto a cd-rw, but winddoze setup only wants the progran setup cd.

Installed an old dos game, Wolfenstein3d, the game run fine.

Today I studied the IBM service manual a bit more closely, found a warning to the effect that "you must use new nylon- coated screws to re-assemble the lap top, do not use the old nylon-coated screws" I suppose the coated screws are only more resistant to lossening hand have mothing to do with insulating the system board from the composite case.

Digging through some old software this morning, I found Win95 and '98 upgrades including '98SE. Will re-format and see if '95 goes in.

[Tigsman]

ThinkPad T21, 2647-4AU
PIII 800MHz (256KB), 128MB RAM, 20.0GB HDD, 14.1 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 8x-2.3x DVD, Intel combo, TV out, Li-Ion Battery, W98

did you take out the MPCI combo card and see if you have same issue?



T

[BUTT_UGLY]

Ok, I removed the combo card and now XP is installing.

No more locking up!

I deeply thank you Tigsman, but how did you know what to do?

Also, after XP install is complete, would it be ok to re-install the combo card? I have a D-Link Air wireless 802 card that I've been using in the more remote locations of my house and hopefully the combo card is strictly on the PCI bus.

Have a very nice Thanksgiving dinner!

[Tigsman]

Try looking into my forum profile. You'll figure out how I knew


Happy Turkey Day!

Toodles


T

[BUTT_UGLY]

Ok, that explains it. Now, if I can get that D-Link wireless ethernet driver installed........

[Tigsman]

i have never used the dlink, just a Linksys. but it should install fine. If needed, make sure you go to the IBM site and install any and all supplemental OS files needed for your system and WinXP. That should help.

go to ibm.com and in the search box, type tpad-matrix, that will take you to the drivers page for all Thinkpads.



T

[BUTT_UGLY]

Cool. Talking about something temperate, I just noticed the D-Link card is real hot, the cpu fan isnt working. Quick reboot, the fan works...for 8 seconds. Re-boot, same thing. This notepad is getting real interesting. Didnt see anything in power saving about cpu cooling. I thought the fan is supposed to be on all the time. Now what do I do, Tigsman?

[Tigsman]

teh fan shouldbe on as needed. Download and install all of the power management drivers and wizards for your system . Inside there, there are settings for performance that should affect the cpu fan.


T

[BUTT_UGLY]

Kinda mislaid my wireless lan card install cd. DL'd drivers from D-link's website, specified the model number and version thats on the card's product sticker, windoze sees the card, calls it a ethernet card but doesnt accept the unpacked drivers. Also enjoyed the IBM DL'd Power options but that CPU fan still works only until windoze starts to load. Going to flash to the latest bios version and see if that improves the situation.

[BUTT_UGLY]

Ok, the cpu fan kicked on during tonight's second deep cycling of the 4 year old battery. I still think it's off too long and that really heats up my wireless lan card.