IBM Thinkpad 390E No Power Up

jleach42 · September 14th, 2003, 03:51 AM

When turning on the computer, the led's flash for a split second but it doesn't boot up or beep. The battery green light comes on. What could be the probable cause? Thanks Joe

no1_vern · September 14th, 2003, 01:39 PM

Hi Jleach42,
Welcome to Techimo!

First I would make sure you are plugged into a working socket for the power. Next remove the battery and try to power on. If that doenst work put battery back in and Try pulling the plug, and power on again, does it react the same way as when plugged in?

Try replacing the board(bios) battery in the bottom of the TP.

If none of this works try removing the DIMM(memory) and reseating it.

Next reseat the CPU card. If all of these fail, I think you will have to take it in to IBM for repairs.

jleach42 · September 14th, 2003, 06:18 PM

Hi, This is Joe. No I don't have a battery for it, but when plugged in the green battery light comes on. I know the AD Adapter is good, because it powers my other Thinkpad. I have done the memory thing. But I will do the bios battery, never thought of that and if that doesn't work I'll try the cpu. Thanks. By the way if I leave the cpu out should it give me a beep code? Thanks Joe L.

no1_vern · September 14th, 2003, 11:58 PM

Yes I believe you will get a beep code, only the beep code you will get is that the processor is missing!

jleach42 · September 15th, 2003, 12:21 AM

Thanks for your advice...Joe L.

tblaketb · April 11th, 2004, 02:23 PM

I have this exact same problem on mine, and have tried both possible solutions with no results. Is there any other things to check. I have found that my 390e did boot like two times for me once, and it hasn't booted since. Maybe a loose connection? Does this computer need a hard drive to boot, because I dont have one in it right now. Thanks guys.

sleeperawaken · May 11th, 2004, 02:04 PM

If you are getting a blank screen, no monitor output, just the status lights, then reseat your memory. A memory stick that is not seated quite right will cause this problem. If it is almost seated right, it may boot sometimes, & not other times.

Be aware that a memory stick can look fully seated, but might not be. I had this problem, & it wasn't like the memory stick was hanging out there, but still, after reseating, life was good. Also trying cleaning the leads on the memory stick with an eraser. Make sure you are grounded to the chasis when you are working with these parts, you don't want to fry anything with static discharge.

If none of this works, try just completely removing one stick (if you have two memory sticks), it could be you have a bad memory stick. From there, it gets more complicated.

tblaketb · May 12th, 2004, 12:49 AM

thanks, I will try that.