No videeo on A31

I have an A31 that has no video. The system boots up, but there is no video or any sign of video. I was using the system earlier in the day with no problems. It may have gone into suspend mode, it may have gone into hibernate mode. I don't know for sure. There were no power problems preceding this situation. Any ideas?
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Welcome to the forum!
Let's try this: remove the main battery and unplug the AC adapter. Press the "power" button for 10 times in a row, holding it down 5 seconds every time and 30 seconds the last time around.
Plug in the AC adapter and keep your fingers crossed...
Good luck and let us know.
Cheers,
George
In daily use: R60F, R500F, T61, T410
Collecting dust: T60
Enjoying retirement: A31p, T42p,
Non-ThinkPads: Panasonic CF-31 & CF-52, HP 8760W
Starting Thursday, 08/14/2014 I'll be away from the forums until further notice. Please do NOT send private messages since I won't be able to read them. Thank you.

Similar Messages

ThinkPad A31p Type 2653 - No video

Hi,
I have the same problem like the one that I read in thread "No videeo on A31" - dated 06-18-2008. Under some light I see a faint image, also the computer works fine. No green or red screen flashed before this situation.
Could anyone tell me the part(s) number(s) for the backlight so I can attempt replacing it? I've looked in the parts section of the maintenance manual
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-39593
and it is not clear to me.
Cheers
James

Welcome to the forum!
There is no P/N for backlight as such, IBM always replaces the whole LCD in such cases.
You're probably better off swapping a whole LCD, if you're certain that the backlight is the problem...has the screen been reddish/pinkish on initial boot before it came to this point? Because if it hasn't you may have a motherboard problem.
Backlights can be found on eBay, BTW. But are very difficult to replace if you haven't done it before.
Good luck.
Cheers,
George
In daily use: R60F, R500F, T61, T410
Collecting dust: T60
Enjoying retirement: A31p, T42p,
Non-ThinkPads: Panasonic CF-31 & CF-52, HP 8760W
Starting Thursday, 08/14/2014 I'll be away from the forums until further notice. Please do NOT send private messages since I won't be able to read them. Thank you.

Restore the hard drive to the factory WinXP OS image - T60 1951-A31

I'm trying to restore the hard drive to the factory WinXP OS image on a number of 1951-A31 ThinkPad T60.
Found these instructions in the trouble shooting guide:
1. If possible, save all your files and shut down your operating system.
2. Turn off your computer for at least 5 seconds.
3. Turn on your computer. Watch the display carefully. While the message, “To interrupt normal startup, press the blue ThinkVantage button” is displayed, press the ThinkVantage button. The Rescue and Recovery workspace opens.
4. Click Restore your system and follow the instructions on the screen.
The problem is that Restore your system does not appear.
I found a thread on Thinkvantage looks promising: No Restore Option
The thread has this:
04-03-2009 12:55 PM
kamszelei, welcome to the forum,
from a lurker
which version of Think Vantage System Upate do you have installed?
If you have version 3.13.0009 installed please try the following; boot into Windows and run TVSU. It'll update itself, restart, then update itself again. Hopefully the option to recover to factory content will then be available to you.
Please also check the following registry key; HKLM\Software\Lenovo\TVT Common
If the "System Type" key is 1, change it to 0. If it is already set to 0 don't change anything and let us know
Unfortunately my Thinkvantage update system is saying it cannot connect because it is not running
Here are my questions about ThinkVantage:
How do I get Thinkvantage update to run?
How do I find the version number for Thinkvantage
How do I "boot into Windows and run TVSU
My other question is this:
Can I simply buy the backup DVDs with the original XP?
Thanks
(mod edit: fixed broken link)

You need to have a harddrive installed that contains the original system restore partition, many people delete them because they are redundant and use up space and after a while, most of the content is outdated, meaning it will install 4-5yo system and software that you'd only want to replace or update anyway. I prefer to install from a windows setup disc, but you can buy the restore sets, it's a set of 7 or 8 CDrom, not DVD discs. Lenovo sells them I believe, or if you can find someone willing to copy a set and send them to you, it would save you some money. I can tell you that if I had a several of these to do, I'd much rather use a single windows setup disc, preferably one with the latest service pack and updates, so I'm done after a few mins and one disc, opposed to installing many discs, changing from one to the other, then in the end downloading and installing service pack three, then a few dozen hotfixes, it could turn into hours of work on each unit, but if you want them with all the preloaded software, then that is the only way. Good Luck
ThinkPad W-510 i7-820QM(1.73-3.06GHz) Quad Core... ThinkPad T500, T9900, 8gb SSD...FrankNpad T-60p/61p (X9000 2.8ghz) 8gb SSD ips FlexView...ThinkPad T-61p (T9300 2.5ghz) 8gb ram...Thinkpad X-61 Tablet 4gb ram...ThinkPad A-31 (1.9ghz P4 1.5gb ram)

Format A31 "C" Drive

I just got an A31 (2652 J3U) from an IT guy who thought he was helping me by installing Tiny XP, a smaller, quicker version of XP, this OS is useless, so I want to install my legal XP Pro Corporate SP1, but I get a mesage that I cannot install it because my version is older than the Tiny XP currently on my A31. I assume that I will have to format my "C" drive then begin from scratch. I am not much of a techie, a newbie on the A31, so can you explain to me in simple point form how to format the "C" drive on my A31? I assume after the formatting that I will start my machine using F12, then select the CD as the first boot hardware, then the XP Pro install window ought to open up automatically from which I can begin the install process. I also got all the drivers for this A31 model from the Lenovo site, assume that I will install those after installing XP Pro, then install all my security software, then install all the updates from Microsoft. Am I on the right track? Will this work? Thanks, Ken.

Any XP installation disk should have the ability to format the drive as a part of the installation process.
Cheers,
George
In daily use: R60F, R500F, T61, T410
Collecting dust: T60
Enjoying retirement: A31p, T42p,
Non-ThinkPads: Panasonic CF-31 & CF-52, HP 8760W
Starting Thursday, 08/14/2014 I'll be away from the forums until further notice. Please do NOT send private messages since I won't be able to read them. Thank you.

Thinkpad A31 Docking Station

Hi there,
I have a Thinkpad A31 - 2652 with Windows XP (SP3) and I would like to get a docking tray with the ability to have dual VGA monitors (both external monitors).  I understand that the "ThinkPad T, A, and X Series Dock" has both a VGA and a DVI  I/O ports. But, here are my questions, what kind of DVI is included with this dock? Would it be possible then to get a DVI - VGA adapter and attach a monitor to it so the diplay is extended to the second monitor, not just replicated in the second monitor?
Thank you.

I have a T-30 XP Pro that I used a type 2878 Docking Station for a while. Yes, I put on a DVI adaptor and it looks like you can do 2 x AGP.

A31 Video Problems

The pink lines in the screenshot appear at differant locations and somtimes when moving a window around screen the entire window changes colors to pink, have updated drivers and BIOS and problem shows up on external monitor and sometimes prior to even loading windows.
This problem was present just prior to LCD failing it was replaced yet these problems still exsist
I sent computer in again for warrenty and they said nothing is wrong after having my system for 7 weeks
http://img241.imageshack.us/my.php?image=a86c8b090968705ctobi2.jpg
another example on a larger screen during a file copy
http://img233.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenshot3ix9.jpg
Message Edited by elvorian on 11-06-2008 06:48 PM
Solved!
Go to Solution.

That's a bad GPU, right then and there. I have an A30 that does similar things only to a worse extent...
What type of a warranty do you have? I can't believe that there's an A31 with factory warranty left...
Good luck and let us know.
Message Edited by ajkula66 on 11-06-2008 04:14 PM
Cheers,
George
In daily use: R60F, R500F, T61, T410
Collecting dust: T60
Enjoying retirement: A31p, T42p,
Non-ThinkPads: Panasonic CF-31 & CF-52, HP 8760W
Starting Thursday, 08/14/2014 I'll be away from the forums until further notice. Please do NOT send private messages since I won't be able to read them. Thank you.

Thinkpad A31 Ultrabay Plus release problem

I have a Thinkpad A31 that I'm repairing - I removed the Ultrabay enclosure that the CD-ROM fits into.
I've reinserted it and have issues with the eject lever.
The release mechanism allows the eject lever to come out, but there is no resistance on the eject lever (when pushing it in) with a CD-ROM in the _Ultrabay Plus_. This means that the only way to eject the CD-ROM is to manually pull it out, which requires the keyboard and plastic palm area to be removed.
I have checked the springs and they are present on the eject lever mechanism.
I have a copy of the A31 manual and have read up on the Ultrabay sections.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-39796
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/92p1902.pdf
I will work on getting images of the parts/pieces for further information.
Thanks,
Mike
Solved!
Go to Solution.

I've only had to do it once, and that was a while ago, but I believe there's a post by Ray Kawakami on TPF dealing with this problem, I'm just way too tired to look for it now......
With no intention to insult you whatsoever, two bays exibiting the same problem sound like a human error to me...of course, being a human myself, I may very well be wrong...
Good luck.
Cheers,
George
In daily use: R60F, R500F, T61, T410
Collecting dust: T60
Enjoying retirement: A31p, T42p,
Non-ThinkPads: Panasonic CF-31 & CF-52, HP 8760W
Starting Thursday, 08/14/2014 I'll be away from the forums until further notice. Please do NOT send private messages since I won't be able to read them. Thank you.

ThinkPad Button A31 Download AIBM.EXE

I'm rebuiding my A31 and want to get the ThinkPad Button working. I have all the OSD, WebKey Agent and Zoom drivers installed. The key calls c:\IBMTools\AIBM.exe. Does anyone know where/how to find this file and download it? I don't have the file on my A30 either, so I can't copy it. Thanks in advance for any ideas.
EDIT (excuse the shout) - I found it. I guess that's why they invented backups. I found the Access Help Installation Package, which did the trick.
Message Edited by mixz1 on 11-29-2008 01:31 PM
T520 4239-CTO
T61/p 6459-CTO (Gone but not forgotten)
A31/p XP Pro 1 gig memory
A30/p XP Pro 1 gig memory
TP600 Win 2K 288 mb memory
701C Win 98 Don't ask

This is the roulette you play with updating functions that are already working properly.
If it's not broken, don't fix it. Do the release notes describe a fix or enhancement that you want? No? Then leave it alone. Hiding updates in Lenovo Update is the easiest solution. For RChesley, in this case.
Bob, I realize that you want the function that the update is supposed to deliver, but the update has failed you. It's like installing version 1.0.0 of software sometimes, with Lenovo Update. You're never quite sure what you're going to get. There's tons of posts here that read as though the users are beta testers--installing updates and finding the bugs! So the developers can go back to the code and try again.
I've learned to never be an early adopter here.

Installing WIndows XP on a A31 2562

I purchased an A31 laptop from work. It will be wiped clean, so I will have to install an o.s. I will install Windows XP Service Pack 2, however, will there be an issue installing from a re-installation cd? Not sure if I have to change the bios to boot from the re-installation cd or if it will boot automatically. Any help or suggestions would truly be appreciated.
Steve
Solved!
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smykoliv, welcome to the forum,
you will need to set the cd as first boot device in the BIOS > Startup > Boot menu. Have a look at the BIOS Simulator to see what you need to do, instructions on how to set priorities are on the right side of the BIOS screen.
Hope this helps
Andy ______________________________________
Please remember to come back and mark the post that you feel solved your question as the solution, it earns the member + points
Did you find a post helpfull? You can thank the member by clicking on the star to the left awarding them Kudos Please add your type, model number and OS to your signature, it helps to help you. Forum Search Option T430 2347-G7U W8 x64, Yoga 10 HD+, Tablet 1838-2BG, T61p 6460-67G W7 x64, T43p 2668-G2G XP, T23 2647-9LG XP, plus a few more. FYI Unsolicited Personal Messages will be ignored.
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A31 Upgrades, basic and complex

Hi,
I've had my Thinkpad laptop now for around 8 years, since I was a first year at secondary school and got it with a grant, now that I'm at uni I've taken it out again to use as my main machine; however, even though I try to keep its' software quite memory light, it still sometimes: pauses, freezes, slow down after doing many things and I would never think of running two proactive tasks at once. I even think that the reason I now need to update my anti-virus manually is because the 256MB of RAM can't handle Avera's large updates during the other startup procedures.
I know that basic hardware facts mean that I'll never be able to play games or do 3D work on the machine, however I'm fond of it and so I have been meaning to update the Ram at least for quite some time now. From reading old forum post I know that the specs are deceiving and my 'A31 2562-P3G' can handle 2x1GB modules. However I need to need to know whether it can safely use pc3200/DDR400 Corsair value select RAM.
Specifically I need to know
*If that speed is okay for this system
*If the modules will actually run at that speed?
*If I can slow down the modules, until I get a good laptop cooler? (As I know heat reduces lifespan and this machine has already probable been cooked a few times on soft surfaces.)
*I've read here about upgrading fans and USBs? Finally, CPUZ says, that I'm running bios '1.03' and I don't know whether I should update it because: I know flashing can be risky; I never have before and I don't have a floppy drive. Does anyone know whether subsequent updates concern the memory controller, RAM size or system stability?
Sorry for such a long first post and thanks in advance to anyone taking the time to read this.

Well, here's the thing with the hard drives and A3x series...
Do bear in mind, first and foremost, that we're talking about a design dating back to 2002. What you need is a PATA/IDE 2.5" laptop drive. No one makes these in 7200rpm guise any more, if you can find a sealed NOS drive you are likely to pay a hefty premium...
With that said, newer 5400rpm drives are almost as fast - and in certain respects faster - when compared with the old 7200rpm drives. You will be limited by transfer speeds of the machine itself, though.
If I were to have one hard drive in an A3x unit at this day and age, it would probably be Samsung 160GB. If more space is needed, WD 250 (my preference) or 320GB are your friends.
The A31p in my signature holds a 80GB/7200 Seagate as a boot drive, and 250GB/5400 WD as a "storage facility"...
Good luck.
Cheers,
George
In daily use: R60F, R500F, T61, T410
Collecting dust: T60
Enjoying retirement: A31p, T42p,
Non-ThinkPads: Panasonic CF-31 & CF-52, HP 8760W
Starting Thursday, 08/14/2014 I'll be away from the forums until further notice. Please do NOT send private messages since I won't be able to read them. Thank you.

A31 video...thinking out loud

Greetings,
New user here... I've been spending lots of my spare time reading all the fun things about the A31 that I have and its known issues. I'm having fun with what looks to be a pretty solid machine with some "character" I've already learned a lot from this forum.
Here is a quick question for the pro's...
With regard to the GPU problem that a machine of this age sometimes has, is there any advantage to running the A31 in a dock and would this alleviate or somehow lessen the burden on the GPU? Thinking out loud, with the A31 in a dock, there is less actual handling of the laptop and therefore less stress to the solder joints on the GPU.
On a related note to this subject, I seem to have read about a Thinkpad dock II that you can actually put a video card in, which got me thinking that this may be a way to continue to use an A31 that may have had a developing GPU solder joint issue or even a full blown dead GPU. Its obviously not so much as laptop at that point as it would be a desktop, but... would it still be functional as a "desktop"?
Im thinking out loud at this point as (knock on wood), my A31 is working perfectly...this is more about the future for this machine.
Regards to all,
N5XL
Message Edited by N5XL on 03-20-2009 08:58 AM

@gehageh:
You may want to give it a try, although I believe that your problem is somewhere on the motherboard...
Good luck.
Cheers,
George
In daily use: R60F, R500F, T61, T410
Collecting dust: T60
Enjoying retirement: A31p, T42p,
Non-ThinkPads: Panasonic CF-31 & CF-52, HP 8760W
Starting Thursday, 08/14/2014 I'll be away from the forums until further notice. Please do NOT send private messages since I won't be able to read them. Thank you.

A31 and wifi connection

What IBM wireless cards can be used on an A31 for internet connection through a router?
And what driver would be required for each or any of the usable wireless cards.

The only card that A3x units left the factory with was a combo modem/wireless "b" card with Orinoco chipset, not very usable in today's day and age.
Intel 2200BG will work, as will Atheros a/b/g (or b/g) and Broadcom a/b/g (or b/g). Drivers will depend on the fact whether you're using a generic card (only option with Broadcom) or IBM-issued card with a FRU (available for Intel and Atheros).
Most of these cards will report "1802 error" on the boot, but there are ways about it...
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
George
In daily use: R60F, R500F, T61, T410
Collecting dust: T60
Enjoying retirement: A31p, T42p,
Non-ThinkPads: Panasonic CF-31 & CF-52, HP 8760W
Starting Thursday, 08/14/2014 I'll be away from the forums until further notice. Please do NOT send private messages since I won't be able to read them. Thank you.

Forgot my Power On Password A31

I've Forgot my Power On Password IBM Thinkpad A31, This Is Not My MIstake I Think Somebody Give IT, or Otherwise Automaticaly It Gives Any Password. Please Help ME

You will either need to remember the password, or find it out from the person who set it.
Please note; Lenovo Community Participation Rules
No solicitation for, nor exchange of information that will aid or enable unethical, illegal or immoral activities.
For example, no posts concerning exchange of passwords, credit or banking information, warranty entitlement information for purpose of re-entitling out of warranty products. No posts shall include instructions or directions intended to subvert security measures, including passwords, locking mechanisms, fingerprint scans, etc, nor shall any posts provide descriptions to the location of, nor direct links to content related to these topics.
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Andy ______________________________________
Please remember to come back and mark the post that you feel solved your question as the solution, it earns the member + points
Did you find a post helpfull? You can thank the member by clicking on the star to the left awarding them Kudos Please add your type, model number and OS to your signature, it helps to help you. Forum Search Option T430 2347-G7U W8 x64, Yoga 10 HD+, Tablet 1838-2BG, T61p 6460-67G W7 x64, T43p 2668-G2G XP, T23 2647-9LG XP, plus a few more. FYI Unsolicited Personal Messages will be ignored.
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A31 Hard Drive Recommendation

Hi Gang,
I am considering upgrading the HD on my A31, 2652-C4U running XP Pro. Does anyone have a general recommendation on a suitable unit and is there a maximum size limitation issue because of bios.
Thanks all !
Solved!
Go to Solution.

There's no BIOS cap on A31/p, as long as you're running XP SP2 or newer, everything will work fine...
The largest PATA drive currently availoable is WD 320GB/5400rpm:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010105
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
George
In daily use: R60F, R500F, T61, T410
Collecting dust: T60
Enjoying retirement: A31p, T42p,
Non-ThinkPads: Panasonic CF-31 & CF-52, HP 8760W
Starting Thursday, 08/14/2014 I'll be away from the forums until further notice. Please do NOT send private messages since I won't be able to read them. Thank you.

A31 no sound

From one day to another my glorious old A31 has just make the sound disapperead. no device, no panel, nothing. It works at night and in the next morning everything dosn't work anymore. I tried to reinstall driver but I received a failure. Tried system restore but it didnt' work. I guess it's due to some automatic update.
Any help will be greatly appreciated I will be glad to use my skype again
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Welcome to the forum!
To determine whether your problem is software or hardware related, you can try and dowload a copy of a "live" Linux CD, and see whether the machine has the same problem running Linux.
If it does, your sound chip is dead, and you'll need to get a PCMCIA sound card.
If the sound works in Linux, you have a driver issue within Windows.
One place to download such a distro would be here:
http://www.linuxmint.com/mirrors.php?id=15
The only reason I'm suggesting this particular distro is for the fact that it works "out of the box" on A3x units without any tweaking.
Good luck and let us know.
Cheers,
George
In daily use: R60F, R500F, T61, T410
Collecting dust: T60
Enjoying retirement: A31p, T42p,
Non-ThinkPads: Panasonic CF-31 & CF-52, HP 8760W
Starting Thursday, 08/14/2014 I'll be away from the forums until further notice. Please do NOT send private messages since I won't be able to read them. Thank you.

No videeo on A31

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