hdd on a thinkpad :(

First off hello everybody, it's been a while!
I've run into a problem fixing a thinkpad for some one at work. She bought a new 60GB hdd because she had a 20 that was full and the hdd was pretty much junk anyway. So I installed the hdd and started to load 2000 on it. Next thing I know I'm in the middle of installation when suddenly it shuts down. I press the power button but nothing starts up only the hdd light will light up when i press the power button. I took all the components out of the laptop and discovered that after the cmos battery has been unplugged for several minutes and then re-installed it works for a short time. Do you think it's the cmos battery or that there is another underlying issue with it. I can't remember off the top of my head what model it is, but I'll post it when I get home tonight. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

only problem is unless she buys a new battery that already has the wires connected to it then I'll have to pull the wires off the current cmos battery and solder them to a new one and wrap in electrical tape. Done it once and it isn't fun trust me.

 

I replaced a thinkpad 600 cmos battery, it just unplugged. Have you tried to see if there are bad sectors on the HDD? Maybe using a disk repair utility? Another option is to remove files on the old hard drive to an external hard drive to save space.

 

whicky1978: it's a brand new 60GB hdd. Don't need any files off the old one and couldn't get them if I tried due to the fact that the platters are completely broken off inside the stupid thing.

So I talked to IBM support on it and the guy was really stupid. He told me to try the things I told him not even 5sec.s before that i had already tried. Then he said it was probably the mobo or the ps. I really don't think it's either because if it was the ps then I wouldn't be able to turn the laptop on due to the fact that there would be no power running to it and I don't think it's the mobo because I wouldn't be able to turn it on and have it somewhat boot, part of the time. I know it has to be something to do with the CMOS battery due to the fact that after removed for a little bit it will boot and let me try loading windows only to reboot after formating to find that it doesn't work again. I guess I need to find a soldering gun and just try it.

I hate working on laptops!

 

Did you try asking for someone else???? Good luck! I know how you feel, I bought a Dell.

 

No, I just gave up and figured I'd try fixing it myself.

lol... yeah tech support sucks these days. That's why I don't ever get extended tech support coverage on anything.

Sorry about the dell.lol