Member Avatar for captainyc

First, thanks for any help you may give.

My problem is: from several days ago, my 3 year old thinkpad T40 cannot load the windows when turned on. I noticed the fan is working but the HD seems not. For maybe 1 trial of 10, the windows can load and I would enter the system, but it becomes dead even with small vibrations of the machine.

I know nothing about the hardware. But I suspect something is loose inside. Or is it only a software pb? I have a strange experience happened just before this pb. On that day I suddenly suffered a screen change (lose 1028 resolution and becomes to 640, saying something related to display drive doen't work and need reboot).

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by cguan_77

Dani AI

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This thread describes an intermittent boot/black‑screen problem on a ThinkPad T40/T40P with earlier display-driver errors and occasional BIOS beeps (see posts by and ). The pattern — occasional successful boots, sudden loss of video or resolution, and beeps — most often points to one of three areas: storage (failing HDD or its connector), memory/POST problems, or the video/board/LCD cable. ’s suggestion to check memory is a good start; below are a practical, ordered troubleshooting checklist and next steps.

  • Power checks first: remove battery, unplug AC, press-and-hold power for 20 seconds to discharge, then try AC only. Note any front LED patterns and whether the fan starts.
  • Minimal hardware POST: remove HDD and any add‑on cards, leave just one RAM module in the primary slot, power on and listen for beep codes. Try each RAM stick alone in the primary slot.
  • Isolate video vs. board: attach an external monitor via VGA. If the external shows POST/BIOS but internal does not, suspect the LCD panel or its cable/hinge; if neither shows, suspect GPU/motherboard.
  • Storage and OS isolation: boot from a USB live Linux or Windows PE stick. If it boots reliably, the HDD or OS install is suspect. While intermittent boot still occurs, avoid using the drive; remove it and connect via USB enclosure to another machine to copy important files.
  • Drive health and diagnostics: run SMART tests (smartctl/SeaTools) or vendor diagnostic tools from a bootable medium. Bad SMART attributes or a “click” noise indicate imminent HDD failure.

If none of the above isolate the fault, the problem is likely deeper (motherboard/GPU failure or intermittent solder/joint issue). Given the laptop’s age, weigh repair cost vs. replacing the machine; for data recovery, remove the HDD immediately. Observe ESD precautions and avoid forcing connectors; document beep patterns and any exact POST messages for any technician or forum follow‑up.

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Member Avatar for gbbijl

I have no solution, but I have exactly the same problem. Sometimes the BIOS gives me some error beeps, referring to a faulty video-card or motherboard problems. I have a IBM ThinkPad T40P, a very pricy one, but it's a kind of useless now.

Member Avatar for cguan_77

hi gbbijl, if you got a beeping soundm check your memory sticks., try removing it first and clean the gold fingers before you put it back, if still the same try using a new memory stick

Member Avatar for cguan_77

hi captain, check your BIOS if your system can still detect the HDD, if can detect then try re-installing your OS..

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