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Thread ID: 89405 2008-04-29 19:43:00 Dead Laptop? gary67 (56) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
664048 2008-04-29 19:43:00 Hi
cleaning up malware on friends laptop, an old IBM thinkpad T23 halfway through a spyware Dr scan it died, screen covered in vertical lines.

Could not turn it off by holding down the power button so pulled the plug, will not boot anymore tried a live linux CD encase it was the hard drive nothing.

This morning plugged it back in and it booted into windows before same thing happened. I suspect cpu or mobo has died, would like to ask any techs what there thoughts are before I call them tonight with the bad news although I think they have been expecting it the laptop is about 8 years old had windows 2000 originally on it.

:(
gary67 (56)
664049 2008-04-29 23:46:00 Time for a new one. pctek (84)
664050 2008-04-30 00:03:00 Time for a new one.

True but not very helpful.
Driftwood (5551)
664051 2008-04-30 00:33:00 Hmm mobo probably.

Do a RAM test.
wratterus (105)
664052 2008-04-30 01:03:00 Yep - Check the memory.
If it has 2 sticks of memory try removing one and see if it runs ok (probably be a bit slow - but see if it behaves itself), then try swapping to the other stick and see what happens. If the problem follows one stick then you have found the problem. You could also just try cleaning the contacts and reseating the memory (especially if you just have one piece of memory).
Be careful when handling memory of course - static and all that...

Laptops obviuosly get knocked around a lot - could be loose contacts somewhere inside.
robjg63 (13548)
664053 2008-04-30 02:29:00 True but not very helpful.

The thing is 8 years old. Waste of time throwing more money at it.
pctek (84)
664054 2008-04-30 02:43:00 dude, i got an old compaq that is nearly 9 years old and its still alive and well, probably spend near 200 bucks in PCMCIA cards for it (wired and wireless network cards) heck i even bought a docking station for 5 bucks and its been the best old laptop i've owned, ok theres a few minor issues but its still going williamF (115)
664055 2008-04-30 08:09:00 Well it only has one stick in and I tried it in both slots now it boots into windows logs on and then instantly freezes, I don't think it's worth playing with any more, thanks for your thoughts appreciated.

:thanks
gary67 (56)
664056 2008-04-30 19:40:00 Just an update, got it to boot into windows last night and run, so ran a couple of memtests and a cpu test and it worked passed everything so am sending it back to the owners and going to tell them that it might work for a day or a year or never who knows. gary67 (56)
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