I just got this nice little machine, powered her up, worked nicely.. Moved it to the other room to start to play with it, and when I plugged it in the floppy and charging lights were blinking. I tried to turn it on, no go. Tried replugging it, no go. Smelled the area, dead component smell.
I think I need to replace the charging circuit, but I haven't opened it up or checked through it or anything yet, so I'm not 100% sure yet. Opinions? Advice on opening?
Edit: Looking through it's service manual right now..
Edit 2: Forgive me for answering my own questions, but the service manual didn't help much. I did however figure out how to open it, and was absolutely ASTOUNDED at the design.
You hold the clips for releasing the screen, and pull up on the plate of the case that encompasses the keyboard, then do the same to the other side. It opens like a car hood - amazingly easy access (wtf is wrong with designers today?).
In standard troubleshooting fashion, I pushed on every cable I saw to make sure it was tight. I then removed the battery, as it wouldn't hold a charge anyway (knew that from before the issue) and it then powered up fine. Seems a faulty battery can prevent boot on these machines. Since it didn't hold a charge, I'd be replacing it anyway, so no worries and now it's back to operating normally - I'm glad, because I am really optimistic about having such a nice compact retro box for DOS games with sound, wifi (PCMCIA FTW!), etc.
I still don't know terribly much about these machines, as the only thinkpad I've ever owned was an R40 before this. I've worked with 90s laptops plenty, but mostly Toshiba, so if anybody has any pointers or caveats I should know, and so on, please let me know - I'd appreciate it. :3
I think I need to replace the charging circuit, but I haven't opened it up or checked through it or anything yet, so I'm not 100% sure yet. Opinions? Advice on opening?
Edit: Looking through it's service manual right now..
Edit 2: Forgive me for answering my own questions, but the service manual didn't help much. I did however figure out how to open it, and was absolutely ASTOUNDED at the design.
You hold the clips for releasing the screen, and pull up on the plate of the case that encompasses the keyboard, then do the same to the other side. It opens like a car hood - amazingly easy access (wtf is wrong with designers today?).
In standard troubleshooting fashion, I pushed on every cable I saw to make sure it was tight. I then removed the battery, as it wouldn't hold a charge anyway (knew that from before the issue) and it then powered up fine. Seems a faulty battery can prevent boot on these machines. Since it didn't hold a charge, I'd be replacing it anyway, so no worries and now it's back to operating normally - I'm glad, because I am really optimistic about having such a nice compact retro box for DOS games with sound, wifi (PCMCIA FTW!), etc.
I still don't know terribly much about these machines, as the only thinkpad I've ever owned was an R40 before this. I've worked with 90s laptops plenty, but mostly Toshiba, so if anybody has any pointers or caveats I should know, and so on, please let me know - I'd appreciate it. :3
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