Thinkpad T20 Overheating Problem

Maybe your cooling system is blocked by dust.

Yeah, or if the vents are blocked by dust and dirt. As far as I know, a PIII shouldn't have heating issues, unless constantly under load. Also, I'd assume the system would perform an emergency shutdown at around 100C. I have heard of many older, poorly-designed P4 laptops overheating and shutting down.

Dirt maybe, but likely another issue...

Here's my angle. I have the same unit. Being the computer geek service guy that I am, I acquired the T20 from a customer who had already spent some hard earned money as suggestd by another "tech". He replaced ram, hard drive and charged way too much for nothing more than a heat issue. I noticed that the fan is definitely running slow. I verified that heat only issue, by setting the nozzle end of a vacuum hose next the air exhaust of the laptop and running the vacuum, while i worked on it. Where before, it would lock up, the problems all went away. So I decided to replace the CPU Cooling Fan + HeatSink IBM part number 08K6396. This unfortunately is not the problem. While it did appear to resolve the issue, eventually it started overheating again. I am currently researching this and will update anyone who cares. P.S. In the event you are looking for a replacement part. Go to eBay and search for a seller named "LaptopAid". I bought the part previously mentioned for $14 including shipping. Much less than ordering it from a Parts house. prices ranged from $35 and up. The unit was a "pull" but "LaptopAid" guarantees his parts to work. If anyone else finds the solution before I do, please update us...

Charles
Coastside Services, Half Moon Bay, CA
www.coastsideservices.com

could it be faulty sensor? does the exhaust coming out seem much hotter?

Have you tried AS5? Maybe the stock thermal pad burned out

Replace the T20 heatsink (and that stupid rubber pad) with one from a T21-22. They are spring loaded, and don't use the rubber pad to fill the gap. Use some quality (AS5) thermal compound, too.

I have a BUNCH of T21-22 HSs, and replace any T20 Hs I get in.

There is a guy selling them on Ebay, for 3 or 4 dollars, new.

steve

Heatsink Fan issue...

Here is what I have found... The replacement CPU fan assy has the same issue as the original. It runs during initial start up at high speed and then shortly thereafter stops running. when it finally come back on it is slow and does not move enough air to cool properly. I used standard cpu heat transfer paste while replacing the fan so heat ransfer is not an issue. I spoke with IBM on this issue and they could not provide a definite answer but seemed to indicate a possible main board issue with heat sensing. But they did offer an interesting solution. I could send it in for repair out of warranty for around $450.. they gave an exact amount, but I don't remember what it was... OR I could buy up to a 2 year onsite or mail-in/depot drop-off warranty for my OUT-OF-WARRANTY BROKEN laptop for as little as $169.00 and up. I bought the $169 mail-in/depot drop-off 1 year warranty. This price covers full repair services as well unlimited phone tech support on this laptop for 1 year! I say that's a good deal and I get my issue resolved and my laptop in good running order again. If it was a cheap compaq or HP I say scrap it, but these thinkpads are good runners!

I am having the same issues with overheating on my t60p. Replaced the heat sink with brand new one from IBM, expensive, and no fix. I used the standard pads that come on the heat sink for compound, but then went back and replaced it with a radio shack heat sink compound. Still no fix, Im thinking it is a bad video card overheating because it will shut it self down when i run a certain software, but does ok to run basic windows functions. Fan also will step the speed up and run at full alot, so it has good sensors and good thermal resistance, but still overheating. Any suggestions?