Laptop Issues

[hearld500]

I just got a IBM T41 off Ebay.
Installing XP went without a hitch, but when I unplug it and go on battery power, I can't go more then a minute without it completely freezing up. The mouse stops moving, and it just sits there, nothing works except doing a hard reset.
It doesn't matter what I'm doing either, it just freezes. I've switched out the RAM, run a systems diagnostics program, updated the bios, and still can't figure out whats wrong.

Any ideas?

[melancholy]

What happens when you try to boot the laptop on battery only? Does it load up at all?

[hearld500]

Loads just fine, same thing though, under a minute and it freezes up.
I've used about four different install types of XP and still the same thing, even tried vista and it did the same thing.

I was able to run memtest for over an hour without issues though, so I'm clueless.
Should I just get a refund?

[hearld500]

Just for kicks and giggles I tried to install xp under battery power, got all the way through the first stage (dos looking) and into the second. It froze on 'installing devices' with 34 minutes left. I found a little bit on google related to that, but nothing that really helps me.

[SuperMegatron]

Judging by the model laptop you have I would say its the video card. We had one and the video card kept freezing xp. We uninstalled the drivers and got new ati drivers.

[hearld500]

yeah, made sure every last driver on the machine was up to date too...

[|darc|]

Sounds like something's wrong with the power management. Maybe try running a different operating system and see how that goes?

[hearld500]

Whats your suggestion if I'm able to get something different running?
I'll probably try and get ubuntu installed if I do end up trying that.

[|darc|]

Well, you could just use an Ubuntu LiveCD and not install anything.
But really, even if Ubuntu works fine, if you got this laptop while under the impression it was fully working, I would send it back.

[Lunchbox]

Change your power management settings to max performance when on battery power. If you have the IBM Battery Maximizer gauge on your task bar just double click on it

[hearld500]

Well, I decided to send it back for a replacement.
It's just not worth dicking with if I don't have to.

Thanks for the help though.

[Sir Savant]

I have a guy here who works on Thinkpads now (thanks to me) and apparently it's a GPU issue where the GPU loses contact with the board because of a bad solder. You can fix this my using a paper shim (it's the same issue with some older G3s or something) or buy using a heat gun to resolder the joints (which is involved, but there are guides for the T40 series). If you get the issue again, try squeezing the laptop and you might fix it for a bit. Good luck.