Cannot get an OS to install, T500

[Streetguru]

So when I bought the machine it was running windows 7 just fine, except it had a locked BIOS with no easy fix

So I got a new board, different kind but the CPU was the same as was the rest, it just added a dedicated GPU.

Gone through 2 motherboards now, ebay seller just shipped me the 2nd one, both had the same issues, it will boot to Gparted and it's been running for 30+ minutes so I don't think there's any instability or overheating. I have a fan blowing down on it as well, it's not passing 40C on the heatsinks.

https://i.imgur.com/nleOgoY.jpg

But trying to install Windows 7 Windows 10, or Even getting Linux Mint to run live fails, 7 crashes and the other 2 make the machine turned off

Tried 2 different AC adapters and nothing, I know the rest of the components work as they were working before, so the motherboard seems to be the issue.

Anyone have any suggestions? Would just be nice if I could get it working, only losing like $80 total if it's not working, Thanks for any help.



Side Note does anyone make a simple Thinkpad Keyboard to USB adapter? I know it needs external processing, but still.

[RealBlackStuff]

Bad CPU comes to mind...

[Streetguru]

Bad CPU comes to mind...

At this point I won't rule it out, but it was 100% running windows 7 booted, working fine as far I could tell before I tried to replace the board.

[TPFanatic]

8ad HDD / SSD perhaps?

[hwattys]

Bad RAM? Nothing tests memory like installing an OS. Try memtest86

[Streetguru]

Bad RAM? Nothing tests memory like installing an OS. Try memtest86

Swapped between a few kits of RAM, it was originally running perfectly fine under windows 7

8ad HDD / SSD perhaps?

Had an OS previously installed on the SSD

I have a new CPU installed and it's sitting with Gparted Live running been about 30 minutes again, if It can do that and format the SSD as many times as I want I still don't see why an OS refuses to install, already tried changing my flash drives around and I use them all the time to install OSes.

It just baffles me. Currently it shuts off when I try to install an OS, though I can get farther with my new CPU, at least to the windows install loading screen, didn't get past 10% on extracting files though.

[RistoE]

Sounds like an over heating issue. I have a T60 which very easily overheats with windows and freezes or shuts down. Linux runs without issues. Try changing the bios settings; use battery optimized also for AC or something similar setting. Try installing in cooler place. If this helps fix the cooling.

[jaspen-meyer]

When you swapped the motherboard, did you also mount the heatsink?
Did you put some thermal paste on the cpu before mounting the heatsink?

A common debugging is to disconnect all periferal devices, dvd, wifi, hdd, one stick of ram, and try booting/installing/etc.

[Streetguru]

When you swapped the motherboard, did you also mount the heatsink?
Did you put some thermal paste on the cpu before mounting the heatsink?

A common debugging is to disconnect all periferal devices, dvd, wifi, hdd, one stick of ram, and try booting/installing/etc.

Don't have a heatsink for the new motherboard but I'm checking the small heatsinks I have installed and they're working fine as far as I can tell, not going past 40C

Sounds like an over heating issue. I have a T60 which very easily overheats with windows and freezes or shuts down. Linux runs without issues. Try changing the bios settings; use battery optimized also for AC or something similar setting. Try installing in cooler place. If this helps fix the cooling.

If it was overheating I don't think it would sit running Gparted forever

Got a new CPU, still can't install an OS, going to try with the hard drive it came with I suppose, but I doubt it's the SSD.