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    BIOS Error Beep - Display adapter error (MDA/CGA) ?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by arlab, Sep 22, 2009.

  1. arlab

    arlab Notebook Evangelist

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    My T61p won't display anything. When I turn it on, I just get one long beep and two short beeps (which, according to the table in this website, - I'm assuming the BIOS is IBM - there is a Display adapter error).

    How can I fix this?



    P.S.: Before I figured out how to categorize the beeps, I've uploaded a video with the start up of my T61p: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Nrl6yk3rPs
     
    arlab, Sep 22, 2009
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  2. RPA899

    RPA899 Notebook Geek

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    I have the same issue, and so do many more. You can try to re-seat your ram and if you have a external monitor, connect it to the computer and start it up to see if it is the display. If it still doesn't work, then it's probably the video card and/or system board. Either way you would have to get the system board completely replaced.

    Hopefully that isn't the case, because it will cost 500 +.
     
    RPA899, Sep 22, 2009
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  3. arlab

    arlab Notebook Evangelist

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    Actually, I was informed there is a ThinkPad General beep decoder.

    One long and two short beeps, and a blank or unreadable LCD means:

    1. System board
    2. LCD assembly
    3. DIMM


    I've replaced the DIMMs and connected an external monitor to the laptop, like you said, and I still got the same beeps so, unfortunately, that means it's the System board's fault.

    Luckily my T61p is still under warranty... I know there is a webpage where Lenovo says which FRUs should be removed before sending the PC to a depot. Anyone has a link to that page?
     
    arlab, Sep 23, 2009
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  4. RPA899

    RPA899 Notebook Geek

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    Yeah, it is probably the system board. A lot of people say it is mainly the GPU, and since it is soldered to the board the entire things has to be replaced.

    Luckily, you are in warranty. My extended warranty ended a few months ago, but I am not sure whether or not I can extend it again.

    And when you say "FRU", do you mean the hard drive and such? Because, I know HP clears the HD when it goes through repair.
     
    RPA899, Sep 28, 2009
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  5. arlab

    arlab Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes, that's what I meant. But, removing the HDD and the battery seemed to be enough.

    Now, I'm waiting for the laptop to be repaired. It's been over one week. :-/
    Things are slow, here, in Portugal...
     
    arlab, Oct 3, 2009
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  6. RPA899

    RPA899 Notebook Geek

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    That's good that you can remove the HDD, that way you can preserve everything you had. Good luck with getting yours fixed.

    If you don't mind me asking, how much did you have to pay to get it repaired? I am still waiting to put together some money to get it fixed.
     
    RPA899, Oct 4, 2009
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