looking for a windows laptop...

[area51]

looking for a windows laptop...

So I got it today. Looking good. I tried it out and ran fine for a while ,did the updates ( about 900 MB worth of updates ) and then the CPU fan started to run high. Right afterwards... weird.

Turn it off, and I hear the fan starting to run for a millisecond and then I get "fan error" on the screen and it's shutting its down.. I think the updates screwed something up. Anyone know how to restore this? Can I start in safe mode? When I press the thinkvantage blue button nothing happens


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[AreWeFree]

that's a hardware problem from a busted old computer, nothing to do with OS updates.

[area51]

that's a hardware problem from a busted old computer, nothing to do with OS updates.

Maybe you're right but Microsoft has/had its own software issues...

[AreWeFree]

Maybe you're right but Microsoft has/had its own software issues...

yeah, but they don't control or monitor fan speeds... good luck.

[Brutmor]

I had my parents buy this one because they wanted a 17" display.
HP 17.3" ProBook 470 G4 Notebook

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1309449&gclid=CjwKEAiAxKrFBRDm25f60OegtwwSJABgEC-ZtWfM7pf-hgdGTvP3uZxijiY6uGLP3hXKB_ucbZ98YRoCrHjw_wcB&Q=&ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876%2C92051678882%2C&is=REG&A=details

[bigbossman]

I had my parents buy this one because they wanted a 17" display.
HP 17.3" ProBook 470 G4 Notebook
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...=REG&A=details

Did you read the original post? $1000 is way off the stated budget.

[bigbossman]

So I got it today. Looking good. I tried it out and ran fine for a while ,did the updates ( about 900 MB worth of updates ) and then the CPU fan started to run high. Right afterwards... weird.

Turn it off, and I hear the fan starting to run for a millisecond and then I get "fan error" on the screen and it's shutting its down.. I think the updates screwed something up. Anyone know how to restore this? Can I start in safe mode? When I press the thinkvantage blue button nothing happens


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Google "t420 fan error".

Looks like it might be an easy fix:

https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/194666/How+to+fix+fan+error

[Dragunov]

We're talking a SIX year old used laptop here (T420). Up your budget so you can buy a T440 (four years old) and you can get one with Nvidia 730m graphics instead of the 4200m graphics.

The T440 is not only expensive, it can only be upgraded to 12gb/ram. Might as well go to the W520/530, if you're going to do that.

BTW, most of mine aren't quite five years old yet. Discontinue date was 4-August-2012. Still perfectly usable.

I take it that he wants to stay in budget, otherwise I would've suggested the W530, Y410p, or Y510p.

Area51 OOOPS!!! I meant STILLY

"On-board", as in on board the processor, not on board the motherboard. The Lenovo Y410/510p have a swappable video card that uses the ODD bay.

Unless you're getting into higher end gaming laptops, the video will be soldered on the motherboard.

You can use the eSATA as a USB 3.0 port. There is no "add on" option, unless you get a powered USB hub.

I always ask about the video. If they don't know, or won't answer you, buy from someone who knows what they're doing.

No, 32gb isn't doable. Supposedly, only 5th gen and higher can access >16gb/ram. This is a limit set by Intel.

the fan error is an easy fix. Doesn't really do much good trying to blow through the vent filters. You'll be just moving dust back and fourth. If your not going to open it up first (I would), blow through the bottom vents. If that doesn't work:
Open up, blow out the actual fan.
Close back up, remove battery (should already be removed. NEVER open up with the battery in!).
Unplug AC adapter.
Hold down power button for two whole minutes. Plug back in, and restart.
99 times out of 100, that'll do it.
If that doesn't work, fans are cheap, and it's a five minute fix. There are a ton of you-tube videos on that fix.
You should probably do this, re-gel your CPU, and your GPU if you ever remove the fan..... Good policy. Tons of good videos for that too.

[stilly]

We're talking a SIX year old used laptop here (T420). Up your budget so you can buy a T440 (four years old) and you can get one with Nvidia 730m graphics instead of the 4200m graphics.

What is wrong with that? I find a certain charm in someone that can look at an older machine and recognize the potential in it. Lotta life left in many laptops around the planet. Why toss or ignore if they can be repurposed?

My budget for a new laptop is nada, NILL, zip, zilch, ZERO. So if I can pick up a T420 and it has nVidia graphics with the top of the line screen for that model, I am happy to make that journey, especially if I can do it for about $150 or less, heavy accent on LESS. AND, I DO like my dell, but my dell only uses DDR2 and it is maxxed out with a T99 Core two DUO CPU, 4GB of RAM (cause 8GB is too costly for this machine) a hard drive or two and what all else I put in it, oh yeah, 9 cell battery + slice battery. The machine is old, battery not doing so well, so why not put an old HD in it, load up a CD based Linux version and put it on my work bench for looking at new ladder loads and surfing the net looking for load data when I am outside in the garage? It would certainly take up less room then a full blown tower and monitor. Then with a T420, migrate over data and programs and make it my new goto portable system. Might not be such a bad idea. ESPECIALLY if I can find a way to stuff in more RAM or even get those 16GB of RAM. Then I can put my VMWARE on it and run some older images that I have tucked away for doing certain things.

What works for some people does not work for all people. I reload because I am tired of wasting my money on expensive ammo for some of the gun choices I have made. I work on laptops and take them apart and upgrade them and mod them when I can to keep my skills up and to learn new things. I have nine laptops that I have gotten in, modded or fixed and ended up keeping. Time to turn them in for a tax break next year and only keep two or three to be used. IF I can get rid of the HP laptops and the Acer then I can keep the Dells for backups and look to pickup a T420. All I really want is 16GB of RAM anyways for my VMs and Photoshop. I aint worried about what CPU comes in it, I will hunt down a new i7 and put it in if I can get it to fit. Maybe redo the heat pipes and cpu cooler too while I am down there...

Then when I can afford one, MAYBE I will look for a newer model that has the swappable graphics cards. When they bump me up to NS I will do that, until then, not gonna happen, a poor man's life for me.

[area51]

The T440 is not only expensive, it can only be upgraded to 12gb/ram. Might as well go to the W520/530, if you're going to do that.

BTW, most of mine aren't quite five years old yet. Discontinue date was 4-August-2012. Still perfectly usable.

I take it that he wants to stay in budget, otherwise I would've suggested the W530, Y410p, or Y510p.

Area51

"On-board", as in on board the processor, not on board the motherboard. The Lenovo Y410/510p have a swappable video card that uses the ODD bay.

Unless you're getting into higher end gaming laptops, the video will be soldered on the motherboard.

You can use the eSATA as a USB 3.0 port. There is no "add on" option, unless you get a powered USB hub.

I always ask about the video. If they don't know, or won't answer you, buy from someone who knows what they're doing.

No, 32gb isn't doable. Supposedly, only 5th gen and higher can access >16gb/ram. This is a limit set by Intel.

the fan error is an easy fix. Doesn't really do much good trying to blow through the vent filters. You'll be just moving dust back and fourth. If your not going to open it up first (I would), blow through the bottom vents. If that doesn't work:
Open up, blow out the actual fan.
Close back up, remove battery (should already be removed. NEVER open up with the battery in!).
Unplug AC adapter.
Hold down power button for two whole minutes. Plug back in, and restart.
99 times out of 100, that'll do it.
If that doesn't work, fans are cheap, and it's a five minute fix. There are a ton of you-tube videos on that fix.
You should probably do this, re-gel your CPU, and your GPU if you ever remove the fan..... Good policy. Tons of good videos for that too.

Thanks for your help... really, all of you. I got it running again and I am pleased except now I can't connect to my wifi... I forgot how much I hate windows for their inability to plug and play out of the box unlike apple or Linux ...

[Brutmor]

Did you read the original post? $1000 is way off the stated budget.

I added an extra 0 to the budget when I read it. Haha.

[bigbossman]

Thanks for your help... really, all of you. I got it running again and I am pleased except now I can't connect to my wifi... I forgot how much I hate windows for their inability to plug and play out of the box unlike apple or Linux ...

What was the fix for the fan?

"Can't connect to my wifi"....... can't connect, or the laptop doesn't see any networks?

Reload the drivers?

http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/downloads/ds030245

[bigbossman]

Macrium Reflect has a free version missing some features, but perfectly functional for cloning, and imaging.

I just bought and installed a 1TB 7200rpm HDD in my T420 today, using Macrium.

Pretty slick application, thanks for pointing me in that direction.

[area51]

looking for a windows laptop...

What was the fix for the fan?



"Can't connect to my wifi"....... can't connect, or the laptop doesn't see any networks?



Reload the drivers?



http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/downloads/ds030245

Had to reload the drivers. Everything is working as it should ( for now ) The Fan was blown with some compressed air and its working for now. I also downloaded the new bios and misc updates from Lenovo.

Yup... need some antivirus now.. I hear malwarebytes it's pretty good

[Dragunov]

I just bought and installed a 1TB 7200rpm HDD in my T420 today, using Macrium.

Pretty slick application, thanks for pointing me in that direction.

You're welcome. Have you tried Aomei one key?

Doesn't work for Toshi's, or some HP's, but great for most others.... Especially, if you're using Win7.

Best thing since cheese, for the T series ThinkPads!