Laptop 'uggered ! (N really Boaty)

[BobE]

Laptop \'uggered ! (N really Boaty)

Took all my kit to the boat yesterday for an early start today..
This morning after booting uo the old IBM Thinkpad there was a flashing of lights and nowt else..
Well as you know I don't know much about these things so all I could do was disconnect the battery..
I've tried warming it up on a radiator but still the same reaction on bootup..
Any one got any comments as to where I should go for a fairly cheap replacement??
PMs would be fine so as not to bore the whizz kids!
Oh and BTW had a good sail to Yarmouth (IOW) and a fast motor back to catch the tide at the run.
Thanks in advance and cheers Bob E...

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[snowleopard]

Re: Laptop \'uggered ! (N really Boaty)

most laptops are servicable long after the internal battery has died, you just run then off the mains adapter (via the inverter if afloat). seldom worth the considerable expense of a new battery, even if they aren't obsolete yet.

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[ShipsWoofy]

Re: Laptop \'uggered ! (N really Boaty)

which lights are flashing, is there a beep too.

Is there any sequence?

The flashes usually indicate a boot fault, such as VDU, keyboard not present, memory goosed etc.

Have a look on the IBM site, there is loads of info on there even for older thinkpads like mine.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Woof</A>

 

[BobE]

Re: Laptop \'uggered ! (N really Boaty)

Thanks for that but it was the laptop I was warming not the battery... I just thought that the thing might have got damp overnight in the boat.
Cheers Bob E.

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[BobE]

Re: Laptop \'uggered ! (N really Boaty)

There are just the 3 lights from L to R they are
an orage on unmarked
a Green one with a "V" in a circle
and a Green with what is best described as a "Z" in a circle.
They dont appear to flash in a sequance but all flicker when I try to Boot it..
There is a clicking noise from somewhere could be a speaker.
I can onlt stop the flashing by opening it up and removing the battery.
I'll try the IBM site tomorrow evening..
Thanks for the input Cheers Bob E...


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[BrendanS]

Re: Laptop \'uggered ! (N really Boaty)

Take this question to the website and feedback forum and will (with others) talk you through resolution. Doesn't sound like completely dead. Might get a bit techie, so not suited to here

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[oldgit]

If you need a cheap replacement

If you need replacement unit,pop secondhand laptops into your search engine.This will produce a company in Essex with a vast range of used machines starting from around 150.00.

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[Guest]

Re: Laptop \'uggered ! (N really Boaty)

One of our TP's with an inspector ..... (we have a few of these IBM's as they are pretty rugged jobs and put up with a lot more abuse than most !!) ..... and his did exactly same. He thought it was the batterty - but it was the machine decided it wasn't going to boot on battery - but it booted on mains ok. It wasn't the battery at all ..... trouble is I don't know what the tech guy did - but he did something in set-up and it was fine again.

If you want another notebook .... you can try morgan-computers and various other s/hand outlets .... some are actually factory refurbs or grey imports so warranty lies with them - not pc manufacturer.

But prices can be amazingly attractive .....


<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel ..... <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.geocities.com/solentlifeuk/>http://www.geocities.com/solentlifeuk/</A>

 

[pragmatist]

Re: Laptop \'uggered ! (N really Boaty)

If you do need a battery (and I agree with most other posters that its too expensive an option) you can get them from <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.gmkbatteries.co.uk/>http://www.gmkbatteries.co.uk/</A>. I had to have one for a laptop under 2 yrs old (not pleased !) but it cost about £90.

<hr width=100% size=1>a pragmatist is an optimist with a boat in the UK - but serious about not being in the UK !

 

[Guest]

Re: Laptop \'uggered ! (N really Boaty)

Thinkpads I saw at under 50 ........ I need one for my spare notebook - as the guy I lent it to gave back with battery knacked ....

<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel ..... <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.geocities.com/solentlifeuk/>http://www.geocities.com/solentlifeuk/</A>