Member Avatar for jmeltzer

My Thinkpad T22 is having problems booting. The battery light and the left green light turn on okay, but more often than not (and the problem is getting worse) the machine won't start.

I've read many, many threads on this all over the web, as it's apparently not an uncommon problem, and have tried just about everything suggested: holding the power switch down, taking all the peripherals out, letting it sit in the refrigerator with the battery removed, et cetera. About the only thing that "works" is to let it sit for a few days, ie try every day and hope it will boot.

My question: has any definitive cause of the problem been found? I have read speculation that a capacitor on the motherboard might be bad. Is that it? Or is it something else? There's nothing wrong with the (Li-Ion) battery and the power supply. I am planning to replace the CMOS battery.

The data and the peripherals are all okay, so I guess I could get a new machine; but this thing has been useful and I'd like to keep it around if possible, even when I do get something newer.

Thanks for any help.

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Short summary and what to try next.

As and suggested, replacing the CMOS (backup) battery is a sensible first, low-cost step — but do it following the official T22 service instructions so clips aren’t forced. If that does not fix the symptom you described (battery/charge LED lights but the laptop usually will not boot) the T20/T21/T22 family is well known for a failure mode called the "Blink of Death" that produces exactly that behaviour. (manualzilla.com)

What the Blink-of-Death means and realistic repair options.
Community and repair guides point to failed power-regulator ICs (the Analog Devices ADP3421 and a few related regulators) as the usual root cause on these boards. Replacement of the regulator IC(s) (or, in the hands of experienced hobbyists, a temporary resistor bypass) can revive a machine, but both are board‑level SMD repairs and are not trivial. If the regulator is bad you will usually need a micro‑soldering repair shop or a donor board. (macdat.net)

Practical, safe diagnostic checklist (do these before paying for board surgery):

  1. Photograph / note the exact LED blink pattern and any beeps or fan activity (useful for a tech).
  2. Verify the mains adapter output with a DMM — T2x ThinkPads use a ~16 V adapter; confirm the adapter is producing that voltage. (endlesscables.com)
  3. Try a minimal boot: remove HDD/optical/PCMCIA cards, test with AC only (battery out), reseat and test one RAM module at a time.
  4. Visually inspect the board (after removing the bottom cover per the service manual) for bulging caps, burn marks or lifted components. Follow the service manual procedure for disassembly. (manualzilla.com)
  5. If you need the data, remove the hard drive now and copy it with a USB enclosure rather than waiting for a full repair.

If the simple tests fail and the Blink of Death is indicated, budget for component‑level repair (ADP3421 replacement) or a donor motherboard. If you are not comfortable with hot‑air/SMD work, a reputable micro‑soldering shop is the reasonable route. (thinkwiki.de)

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Member Avatar for mechbas

Seems as tho the CMOS batt. changing is your best bet at this time.
the "frig" trick is sometimes useful for a failing drive but only long enough to get your stuff off of it if possible.
W/out the correct info (support) from the BIOS the unit has no idea what to do with anything.

Member Avatar for jbennet

I have the same thing with an R30. Replace the CMOS battery.

Member Avatar for jmeltzer

Thanks, guys.

I now have the new CMOS battery. Unfortunately the manual doesn't give good information about how to get the old one out. I've taken out the big battery and the screw holding the CMOS battery holder to the case. The manual seems to imply that I can just pull the holder out, but it won't come out. Something is still holding it in (in the top left corner, where the wires are attached), My guess is that there's still a screw to be removed, and I can't find it. Do you happen to know of any replacement instructions for total dummies? Thanks again.

Member Avatar for mechbas

the CMOS batt. is probably held in via a simple clamp, most likely as described in your manual. don't think it worth you while to look for a screw, etc. some clamps are made of metal others may involve a plastic retainer which you surely don't want to break. use patience.

Member Avatar for jbennet

Usually you can just flick the button battery up and out of the base unit.

Member Avatar for jmeltzer

Not with this thing. Won't come out.

Oh, well. I guess I'm going to have to pay some repair guy to show me how to do it. I still think I'm missing something childishly obvious here.

(And, after all this, it had better be what is wrong with the %$#^@ machine!)

Thanks again.

Member Avatar for HLOMMY

i have a problem with my ibm T60 , I HAVE INSTALLED THE WRONG BIOS . MY MACHINE DOES NT WORK ANY MORE . PLEASE HELP .

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