T23 Advance repair option/Monitor?

Question

Entitled T23 Advance repair option/Monitor?
Background: T23, 2647-2TU, 640 MB ram
Dual boot set-up with Linux and Windows XP Pro.
I have been using Linux since XP is dangerous to use on Internet, hence, prefer not to use unless this would be the easiest and best way.
Need suggestion about how to rule out both OS's and see if the T 23 has advanced repair options?
Ref 1 Article:
https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-Edge-Knowledge-Base/S440-black-screen-with-flickering-cursor-a...
Purpose of Posting:
While in Linux the program stuck (not sure here, the monitor screen froze, but the T23 keypad may have been operational, see below in Possible cause to explor.). No mouse movement. I was able to hold down power button 5-8 seconds and turn off. Restarted and everything looks ok.
This had happened once before while in Linux.
Questions:
Would the advanced repair in Rescue and Recovery (Need to check version?) partition option address the T 23 computer system only? Anotherwords, could fix the problem without having to query each program?
Would this be a good place to start?
Any particular additional suggestions, if using the advanced repair option, I should know (other than how it was used in the Ref 1 Article above) excluding the windows instruction section?
Possible cause to explore:
I added a different monitor which plugged into back to a D connector. In the past used the Think pad screen. Also in the past, I have used a USB optical mouse that worked well in many sessions. In any case if the keypad was fully functional, what key or combination would bring the plugged in monitor back?
Or, just unplug monitor and let the T23 monitor start functioning?
If the responder would like to respond in small steps, thats ok with me if its easier for you. I plan to make this a top priority and will be looking for response frequently in the day.
Any assistance will be appreciated.
Thank You,
Bob
Ref 2 Article:
https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkVantage-Technologies/T61-Lenovo-Rescue-and-Recovery-BSOD/td-p/1669...http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkVantage-Technologies/URGENT-gt-Rescue-amp-Recovery-quot-Previous-Ve... I think you should try to downgrade your R&R version?
Update:
Just unplugged monitor and am running on Think pad monitor. We will see if T23 freezes again.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Answer 1

Freezing of the system can be from several sources, both hardware (most likely) and software.  My suggestion to you, since you have a T23 and I'm very familiar with this system, is to try the following things:
1) Run a memory diagnostic.  Get a copy of memtest86+ from http://www.memtest.org/#downiso  Several media are available: floppy, USB or CD.  Use whatever is easiest for you.  Boot the diagnostic program and let it run for several hours.  Ideally you want to program to execute at least three full passes of all the test patterns.
2) Run a hard drive diagnostic.  Most hard drive manufacturers have released a diagnostic program that runs some simple checks.  They are "non-destructive" in that they do not write any information to the drive.  That said, you should probably backup your entire drive before running such a program.  There are several good disk backup programs out there; if you need some advice, just ask.  For hard drive diagnostics, Seagate has a program called SeaTools, Hitachi/IBM has DFT and I think Fujitsu has FJDT.
IBM, and then Lenovo afterwards, used to have a program in their software download library called PC Doctor for DOS which came in specific versions for most Thinkpads.  It was what the factory recommended people to use when diagnosing hardware problems.  However, several years ago the license to distribute the program by Lenovo was not renewed and from that point on all PC Doctor software for the Thinkpad was withdrawn.
Doing those two things should eliminate the memory and hard drive from being the source of your problem.  However, my initial thought is that your T23 has developed a fairly common problem: loosening of one or more components on the motherboard.  It's a known problem, at least by us Thinkpad geeks.  Normally this type of defect is seen as a power-on failure; your laptop refuses to boot and the only thing that seems to be functional is a wildly spinning fan.  To a lesser degree, this freezing problem can be encountered at random times after the system has been operating normally.
Warning: Doing the following procedure could "permanently" freeze your system.  If what I suspect is the problem, it CAN be fixed but it requires a full disassembly of the system, removal of the motherboard and some soldering.
Run a program that you can easily tell if it stops for any reason; play a video or MP3 file, for example.  While the program is running, put your left thumb on top of the palmrest in the lower left corner, your fingers under the system (where the memory bay panel is) and "bend" the corner of the laptop "up" and then "down".  What you are trying to do is put some pressure on the case so that it twists the motherboard slightly.  In some cases, this is enough to induce the "freeze".
As far as the Rescue and Recovery utility is concerned, I've never used it myself on a T23.  It is meant to be used to reinstall Windows to a state it was at when the laptop was first sold (i.e., circa 2002).  Assuming that the hidden partition is still available, running it now will regress Windows to a pre-SP1 version.  While I do not share your view that using XP at this point in time to access the internet is "dangerous", it certainly would not be recommended to use something as old (and un-patched) as that.  I also do not know for sure if running R&R will affect your dual-boot configuration, but my guess is that it would.  All of your previously installed programs will be erased, along with any of your files when you do this operation.
If you are using an external monitor and would like to switch between it and the LCD panel then you should be able to use the Fn+F7 key combination.  Hold the Fn key down then press and release the F7 key.  Doing this successive times will cycle the active display between the LCD, the external monitor only and then both active.
Took me a few minutes to find a good example but read this thread at TPF: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?p=274956#274956
Ray Kawakami
X22;X24;X31;X41;X41T;X60;X60s;X61s;X300;X301;Z60m;Z61t;Z61p;560Z;600E;600X;T21;T22;T23;T41;R50;A21p;A22p;A31 and A31p
Not a Lenovo employee; just a volunteer helping out here
All personal links to PC-Doctor software removed 8/2012 by mfg request