Thinkpads Forum

My roommate's R500 clicked off one night and won't even light up when the adapter (which is a bit frayed, admittedly) is plugged it.

We have tried using a new adapter, but there is still no reaction.

Anyone have any ideas?

Unplug the laptop. After you've removed the battery, press the "power" button ten times in a row, holding it down for 10 seconds each time, and 30 seconds the last time around, then plug the adapter only and fire it up.

Thank you. That worked.

She is quite relieved. =D

Glad to hear it worked. This is a really obvious observation, but using a frayed power adapter is asking for trouble. I suggest it be replaced ASAP. EBay is a good source, or place a WTB Ad in our own marketplace forum.

It has been replaced. She got a new one to try to see whether it was the power cord or not. When that did not work, I told her I would ask here for any advice.

hey harry ..

what could have been the issue with the R500 that required the step you mentioned earlier ?? i mean i havent read that procedure before

I know 'what' the reset procedure does, but I don't know 'why' it works for sure. There is stored voltage in the capacitors on the systemboard that the reset procedure drains. My 'guess' is that this voltage drain resets some power sequencing circuitry and allows the machine to boot normally again. I am surprised you never ran across this procedure. It has been discussed here frequently over the years.

funny. dat really slipped off my mind.