Dead IBM R50

[Hans Voralberg]

Okay Im fixing this for a friend so I can only give as much as he told me. Initially the machine suddenly shut down, he thought it's heat issue. But restart fine. The second time the machine refuse to start with the battery installed. Remove battery, started. Run on mains for a few hours and dead again. Now nothing can make it boots (neither main power nor battery). Any ideas ?

[tinbath]

This may sound overly simple but is it possible there's a loose connection or a short in the power circuit?

[mosherben]

I had and currently have an R50e which did a similar thing, except mine didn't restart when it suddenly shutdown.

I sent it back to IBM and they said that it was because of 'liquid spillage', which I knew it couldn't be as I never had any drinks near the laptop. I got photos from them documenting the damage, and my mate (javalord on here) said it's more likely to be some of the capicitors had leaked. Worst still, they were demanding £60 just for a simple diagonostic, let alot the £250 for a motherboard. In the end I maintained my stance and I got a free replacement, but the moral is not take it back to IBM unless you are 100% sure you didnt cause anything to damage it.

I would just find the FRU for the laptop in question and try buying it from a online shop (quite a few selling IBM FRUs).

Post back if you need any help, and good luck on fixing it

[Hans Voralberg]

I dissected the machine and so far cant see any damage, leakage etc. Still dead

[mosherben]

In my case, apparently it was beneath the PCB (the side sits on a flat surface).

Was the fan definately working before this happened, as I had another issue with the laptop's fan and apparently the fans are easy to get clogged up according to the PC repair person I know.