i have an IBM a21e thinkpad that shuts down after a few minutes. I believe the problem is the fan circuit. It starts and runs on startup but shuts down after the OS loads up. I removed the fan and powered it up on my 'bench and it runs continually. It must be the board circuitry that shuts it down? Is there any way I can 'jumper and let the fan run all the time? any reply would be appreciated.. fran18346@verizon.net

I would try this link as far as a software fix for your problem, it may help you? http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-51268

thanks for the reply, I tried that site and I it still shuts down on me. I can keep it running a bit longer when i put an external fan near it. when it shuts down, i can't restart until it 'resets'. I hear a click when i push the power button.. anyone have any ideas? fran

Since you removed the fan, did re-apply thermal compound to the cpu?? Thinkpad fans will slow down enough to make you think they are not running. If you boot from a floppy or CD, will it still shutdown after awhile, or does it only shutdown using Windows? Try going into the BIOS and setting all defaults (F9 I think) Rule #1 Good computers don't go down. Rule #2 There is no such thing as a good computer.

Thanks for replying Rick. Yes, I did re-apply thermo 'grease'. I didn't try a floppy or cd, it shuts down as soon as the 'post' finishes. I did try all the defaults in the bios, etc... I can keep it on a few minutes longer (approx 10-15min) with an external fan blowing into the fan opening. when it shuts down and i try to restart, all it will do is 'click' it will not reset (restart) until i wait quit a long time. thanks again for a reply fran

It has been at least 6 hours that it shut down and now it doesn't even startup.. All I hear is a 'clicking' sound when I press the start button.. fran

I think I have the exact same problem. When it shuts down I can restart only after a while. Have you found a solution yet?