IBM R61 issues, help?

First, I'd like to know if I should create different threads for each issue concerning this laptop or simply attack each issue here one at a time?

First issue, this laptop seems to get very hot underneath but when I look in the Task Manager, the cpu usage is showing an average of 7%? The keyboard area does not really feel hot only underneath the laptop at certain spots with the hottest spot being what look's like a serial port connector in the middle area of the base maybe used to connect to a docking station?

 

You can try giving the system a good clean as sometimes dust can clog the vents which can heat up the whole system unnecessarily. Have a read on the Hardware Maintenance Manuals ( 14.1" or 15.4") for more info on the procedure.

Should you clean the heatsink you may also want to reapply some new thermal paste on the CPU/GPU chips carefully too. You can easily clean off the existing gunk from the chips using TIM cleaner or Isopropyl Alcohol which dries itself up after application.

 

ok thanks, next issue, the dvdrom does not autoplay even when the autoplay options are set and even when I open it from within MY COMPUTER it takes too long to start playing?

 

Hmmm what OS you're using? If its Windows XP you could try having a look at this article to see if it helps improve autoplay detection. For Windows Vista or 7 refer to this.

But since you say the DVD-ROM is struggling maybe try cleaning the lens with some cotton buds and Isopropyl Alcohol to see if it helps detection with the DVD/CDs. If it still doesn't work the drive may be on its way out, you can try and source a spare DVD-ROM drive or even upgrade to a DVD+/-RW for the R61 which occasionally are available on places such as eBay.

 

thanks, next, there's no sound from the internal speakers only from the headphone out, does this mean speaker replacement since the audio drivers are up to date?

 

Have you tried a Linux live disc? Rules out hardware vs drivers.

 

can you just post all your problems in one post (give a number to the heading of each problem), rather dish out a new problem when everytimes someone answers? This help to track the problem, and view whether these problems are related.

 

I tried a linux but it won't boot from the cd as mentioned because I am having problems with the dvdrom.

Ok to list all problems I am seeing as requested:

1] Cd taking too long to open and sometimes can only be opened from within MY COMPUTER, will try to get a new DVD rom

2] Certain areas on bottom of unit very hot, will try blowing compressed air to clean vents

3] Internal speakers not working, will try to get new speakers.

4] On top lid, right side lid of screen is broken at the top, will try glue?

 

Problem 4 is physical and not really something that needs diagnoses. If you are talking about the external casing then the epoxy glue will be a good thing to use.

1) If the linux cd doesn't work then your drive's laser has simply aged and the drive needs replacement.

2) download tpfancontrol and check the CPU and GPU temperature your machine.

3) So your internal speakers not working? try the headphone port does it work?

Also run the PC Doctor Dos test.

PC Doctor for DOS - ThinkPad R61, R61e, R61i, T61, T61p, X61, X61s, X61 Tablet

 

3) If the headphone jack works, but the internal speakers do not, it could be that the part of the jack itself that detects when something is plugged into it has gone bad. That happened on one of mine. The speakers were fine, they just never got a signal since the headphone jack always thought that it had something plugged in. If you can, test the speakers before you try to replace them. The speakers themselves might be fine.

 

2] cpu shows 60 degrees C, gpu shows the same

3] headphone port works fine.

 

Could very well be as the green ring on the headphone out is missing, I will test the speakers before purchasing and if the speakers are good then what?

 

Hey guys, sorry it took so long to get to this, I got a new DVD/RW drive, that problem is solved. I am now dealing with the fan cleaning and the speakers issues, please tell me:

1] How do I test the speakers to know if they are working?

2] Do I need to remove the fan assemble to clean it? I am worried because I am reading something about "thermal paste", I simply want to clean whatever need cleaning in the fan so if I don't have to remove it may be best so I don't mess up something?

 

Testing the speakers is not going to be simple unless you have some tools on hand. If I remember correctly, the speaker connector is two wires on a special plug that connects to the motherboard. If it were me, I'd get some old pair of headphones I don't care about anymore, cut off the cord, and stick the resulting wires into the connector on the speakers. Then plug the old headphone jack into an audio source and see if you can get sound through it. I am guessing you will be able to. Speakers typically work.

To clean the fan, you could just get some compressed air and blow it all through there until its mostly clean. Your best bet would be to remove the whole heatpipe assembly and clean off, and re-apply the thermal paste that goes onto the CPU and GPU. But you could probably get by with just cleaning it off with air and not removing... Unless you actually have heat issues, then I would REALLY remove the assembly, clean it all up, and put new thermal stuff on it. Its not really that bad to remove and replace. Take pics with a digital camera before you remove stuff if you need a reference when its time to put it all back.

 

How about I simply cut the speaker wires and test the speaker with a AA battery so if I hear sound then that should mean a mobo issue, correct?

Also, I don't see the need to take the fan out when I can simply blow compressed air from the side vent then through the back vent and also from top of the fan so I blast air from 3 different angles, that should clear most of the dust build up? It's replacing the paste that I am worried about so I'll try the air first, if there are still heating issues then I can always take apart again and then remove everything to clean.

 

That should do it.

 

Speakers require an AC signal to produce sound. The DC voltage from an AA battery may cause the speaker cone to move once, but it won't vibrate and therefore will not produce sound. If you have a multimeter you could check the resistance to see if the coil has shorted out or broken.

For the fan, you will have to remove enough parts of the computer so that any dust you dislodge from the fins can be removed from the computer and are not just recirculated inside. Leaving the dust bunnies inside will only cause them to clog the fins again or jam your fan.

 

I removed everything so I can clearly see the fan, only thing left would be to remove the fan assembly therefore everything should blow out?

Regarding the speaker the idea I am thinking here is to use the battery to see if the cone moves, if it does move then I can try connect it to some small device to check for actual sound.

 

Yes, you should be ok with the fan open.

For the speakers, you could try holding one wire to one end of the battery then brushing the other wire against the other end to simulate AC. These are very small speakers and I don't know what kind of voltage they can handle, so there is a possibility you could blow them out (although with only 1.5 volts, I doubt it). On the other hand, 1.5v may be insufficient to cause any movement... Sorry, I just don't know.

 

I'm not sure about the voltage either. I've tested a 12" home speaker with a 1.5v D cell before, so I know its possible, but even the 1.5v could be too much. That's why I suggested hooking it to an actual source.

Either way, I really think you will find that the speaker works, and the problem is in the switch in the headphone jack. I've seen many of them break and cause this behavior. The solution on my daughter's old pc was this.

 

That's a great option and looks like I will have to get it because the internal speakers do work, you guys were right. Can you tell me the name of that speaker or got a link to it please? I am not using the correct search words in Google I guess.

 

The one I have is called a PodWave and I don't think they make it anymore. I've seen them for about $10. Their newest version is this. But you can buy any number of similar devices to plug into the headphone jack and get sound.

 

Ok guys, made some progress, I blasted air through all 3 angles mentioned and I could see some type of either rotted foam or a few balls of dust lint in between the fan blades, now when done I can very clearly see that all vents are totally free, cpu shows 40 degrees and no more noise, I was thinking that even 40 degrees in idle mode would still be too high but a guy I know who has the same unit with the same duo core 2.1Ghz speed and 4gb RAM says that this is normal temp for this kind of power, is this correct?

 

Looks like I jumped the gun here guys, the temp went back to 60 degrees after a short while, should have checked to see if the fan is working because what else can it be?

 

Make sure the fan is spinning or is connected properly to the system board, you can use TPFanControl and try monitor the fan speed. If it doesn't respond or seems to be struggling then the fan could be on its way out and probably need replacing.

But if the fan looks OK then have you applied a fresh set of Thermal Paste when you reassembled the CPU heatsink? 60c is a bit too high if its in idle, but answering your question earlier having the temperature range around 40c in idle is indeed normal for a Core 2 Duo. The T9300 Core 2 Duo in my 14.1" T61 hovers around 43c on average.

 

"Speakers require an AC signal to produce sound. The DC voltage from an AA battery may cause the speaker cone to move once, but it won't vibrate and therefore will not produce sound. "

Although the theory is correct, a batter does produce audible sound.

By the way, adding thermal paste will NOT cause a lasting change.

Renee

 

Now looking at the TPFC.62 utility, on the lower portion under Fan Control, it shows State: Fan 0 and also Speed 0 RPM, I am guessing this means the Fan is not spinning? If yes then if I am looking at a fan replacement, I am guessing there's no way to know if it's a mobo issue unless I risk purchasing a new fan? If I should need a new fan does it come separately or would I need the entire fan assembly?

 

I lifted the KB and yes, the fan spun only for a second when I hit the power button so I will order the fan, is this what I would need please?

New Laptop CPU Cooling Fan for IBM R61 R61i R61E Lenovo P/N: 42W2404 42W2780 | eBay

or would this be better?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-IBM-Lenovo-R61-R61I-CPU-Fan-Heatsink-42W2676-FAN33H-/290576083922?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a7af2bd2

 

What does your current fan assembly look like? If it has those heat pipes like the second link, I would definitely get that one. As you can see, there isn't likely to be a big price difference between a plastic one and a substancial one, although you really need to get the one that will fit.

Someone else might have a better idea if you can use either, but the safe way would be to get the one that is identical to your current part.

 

Yes, mine looks like the 2nd one, thanks!

 

Finally had the time to order and just got the new fan assembly, can you guys take a look here please and advise me on the thermal pasting issue?

CPU Fan Heatsink for IBM Lenovo R61 R61I / 42W2677 FN16 | eBay

If you look at the 3rd pic from the left you will there is already thermal paste on two pieces of the fan assembly, there is none on the fan itself, should I simply remove the old fan assembly and replace or do I have to do any cleaning of old thermal paste on the base of wherever those two pieces fit? Do I have to add thermal paste to the fan anywhere? Do I have to add more paste to what's already on those 2 pieces please?

 

You don't need to apply paste anywhere to the fan, you only need to cover the CPU and GPU chips which are already preapplied to the heatsink. It's just a matter of taking out of the old, give the CPU and GPU chips a good clean with compound cleaner or Isopropyl Alcohol and then putting on the new heatsink.

 

With thermal paste, less is better. You want to have as much metal to metal contact as possible between the heat sink and the chip, the paste is only supposed to fill in any air gaps.

On the picture you referred to, it looks like there may be too much paste on the part at the top right. If there is a gap between that part and the chip underneath which makes the thick layer of paste necessary, I would suggest cleaning that paste off and using ICD7.

 

Well, I put the new fan assembly unit in and same deal as with the old one, when I first power up, I see the fan "shimerring" then it stops and that's it, it doesn't spin and the TPFC shows the same info which is State: Fan 0, Switch 45 degrees C and Speed 0 rpm, does this mean it's a mobo problem? I looked in the BIOS to if maybe the Fan is turned off but don't see anything relating to the fan itself?