My IBM Thinkpad A22 only stays on for a couple of minutes

[skipos]

Starting a few weeks ago, it randomly shut down every 30 - 60 minutes. It has gotten worse and worse. At best it stays on for a few minutes, at worst it won't even power all the way up. I have tried using the power cable, not using the power cable, using the battery, not using the battery, and nothing makes it better.

I bought this computer used a few months ago. I haven't tried re-installing the operating system since I don't have a copy of windows 2000 pro (maybe I'll have to buy it?). I do not use this computer on the internet, all I use is Word.

It isn't worth paying $100 to take it to a computer repair shop.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am a computer dummy, and I don't know what to do.

[BlueJazz]

1. Can you hear the fan running? and if so...is the fan opening clear?

If the fan IS running, vacuum out the fan port. (s)
..also does it get by the BIOS ? (the first part of the boot...before windows starts)

[skipos]

2. It doesn't sound like the fan is on

though I haven't been able to keep the thing on for more than a minute.

Do you know how hard it would be to buy a fan and replace it? I am not an idiot, but I am not a computer whiz either.

[BlueJazz]

3. Actually...it's not that hard to change....I'll check out some sites and post back...

...(after the Horse race) :)

[BlueJazz]

4. Download the PDF file here >>>

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-4Z2JZV

[SoDesuKa]

5. Your Heat Sink is Clogged With Dirt

Sounds like your CPU gives out when it overheats. That's probably because the heat sink fan has sucked in so much dirt that the leaves are clogged. This is especially likely if you're a smoker or there's a smoker in the room when you use the computer. Cigarette tar makes a kind of glue that holds the dust together, blocking the flow of air.

Get some thermal grease so you can replace what you wipe off when you remove the heat sink. Clean between the blades and all around. Clean off the top of the processor, put some thermal grease on top of the processor, and re-mount the heat sink. It's not really all that difficult, but some heat sinks can be a challenge. You might want to replace the fan entirely but that means looking up part numbers, etc. Not everybody wants to do that.

Good luck opening up the case. That's the hard part.

[CountAllVotes]

6. go to Lenovo's website

go to the part for downloads and type in A22 and type after that remove case (or cover). They have instructions you can download. www.lenovo.com

I am on an old A20m right now myself. I just got it up and running as it needed a new internal battery which was easy enough to replace. The battery cost me $11.00 and my ISP wanted $50.00 to install it.

I told them I'd do it myself and that charging $50.00 to install a new battery was an obscene amount of money to charge for a mere 5 minute job.

Best of luck to you.

[blogslut]

7. Could be a dead/dying power cable

You can find new/used ones on Ebay for cheap. Make sure that the seller is selling the whole thing - cord and adapter. Make sure that you get one that will work for your A22. If that doesn't solve your problem then you're only out 20 buck max.

From my experience with Thinkpads, it's probably the power cable/adapter.