Free Laptop Help » General Hardware Issues

IBM ThinkPad R32 will not see CDROM or DVD

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 02:35:02 +0000

Over the years I’ve seen this 50 – 75 times. A ThinkPad R32 that will not see the CD drive. On any other laptop I’d tell you the CDROM or DVD drive has failed, but the R32 gets a unique problem with the motherboard that causes it to stop recognizing CD drives.

You may find it interesting to know if you pt a floppy drive into the ultrabay the machine will recognize it.

The easiest solution is to simply hook up an external USB DVD drive when needed. You can even get a CDROM enclosure for your old CD/DVD drive from NewEgg for under $20.

Where can I get a DV9000 Manual or Schematic?

admin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:06:59 +0000

Question:

Where can I get a DV9000 Manual or Schematic?

I need to replace the lid, but first I need to figure out how to take it apart.

Answer:

The DV9000 is plagued with problems, more of which will be covered here shortly.

But the quick answer to your question is, get the manual from HP’s site here:
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01311536.pdf

test post

admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:04:54 +0000

test post in the hardware category, general hardware issues subcategory

XP Install on T60 can’t find hard drive

admin — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 05:22:22 +0000

Question:
While I know nothing is free in life, I have a question: My issue is this. I have a Thinkpad, T60. The Hard drive has been repartitioned/formatted and I am trying to load XP Pro SP2, however I keep getting “Windows is unable to a find hard drive.” I have pressed F6 to try and load sata drivers, but then it tells me I must have a floppy drive, and guess what, no floppy on this model. I figure the issue is SATA hard drive. The woman I am trying to fix this for has no factory software, or O/S disk and the Restore – Recovery part of hard drive has been wiped out. Is there a work around to get this repair back on track? I live in Raleigh, any help would be greatly appreciated. David

Answer:
Hey there,

It is just a simple setting in the BIOS.

There is a SATA compatibility mode / AHCI setting in there- change it and go ahead and install XP.

After you get XP installed download this utility that will install all of the drivers automatically:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=TVSU-UPDATE

How is that for free?

Loose power jack

admin — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:30:30 +0000

Question:

My AC Adapter Connector (where the AC cord plugs into the computer) is loose and causes the screen to pulse, as if between battery source and AC source. I just got the Jack replaced in Dec, because it burned out. it was still loose after that and before I bought it in. I have to play around with it and pull the plug to the side so it makes connection. It doesn’t make connection when the plug is in straight. Can it be fixed?

- Christine

Answer:

Hello,

You are describing the symptoms of a loose power jack. Whoever repaired it did not do a good job. There are places that specialize in this type of repair. The best thing to do is visit this page about power jack repair. They can repair the jack so it is better than new and your problems will be cured. I would ask the other company for a refund. Without the proper tools and experience it will not be properly fixed.