T61 XP SP3 - Shuts Down on Lid Close

I have a strange problem that is not consistent, but happens about 50% of the time. When I close the lid of my T61, windows starts its shutdown sequence. It shuts down cleanly as if I clicked shutdown button.

Its extremely annoying and has a huge potential of data loss for me since I may be working on something and close the lid to move from here to there and boom the computer shuts down.

I have a very clean install of XP PRO SP3 and the only thinkvantage software I have installed is the Power Manager. The Lid Close action in the power manager is set to do nothing.

Is anyone else experiencing similar issues and is there a workaround or fix?

EDIT: I should add that I found no strange entries in the event log around the time of the shutdown.

Thanks,
RA

 

Ok, this was quick, but I found the problem. When I went to turn on the laptop, I noticed that just putting my finger on the power button would turn on the laptop. Turns out the power buttons is so sensitive that it doesn't need to be pushed down. So, when I close the lid, it pushes down on the power button enough to make Windows think that I am trying to shutdown. I have disabled the shutdown action for the power button through Power Manager.

 

Nice catch, that's a tricky one! That sucks, but good (if temporary) fix!

 

You can change the power options (Control Panel -> Power) and under the one tab (sorry, not in XP right now) there are options what to do when the lid is closed etc;

The Thinkpad Power Manager also has options for this.

 

Unfortunately, this remains a problem. Even though I have disabled the shutdown action on the Power button through Power Manager, holding it down for a few seconds will turn off the machine (as it should). So, when transporting while the laptop is on, the button is pushed down on by the lid and the machine will shutdown. I guess I could put something around the button to prevent it from being pressed on by the lid. I would hate to send the laptop in for something so minor.

 

Ohh, the lid is physically pressing down on the button.. didn't read that

Yes, I guess you should take it in, or put something in place so it doesn't get pushed.

Bummer dude

 

I tried putting something around the button and that made it even worse. Apparently, even pushing down on the area around the button has the same effect as pushing down on the button. Something is obviously not right and I don't think it is anything I can fix myself.

Guess I am going to have to send it in. This sucks!

 

I took the keyboard out to try and see if I could do something with that button and it turns out that the volume and power button are part of the keyboard! So, I should just be able to ask Lenovo for a replacement keyboard by mail. I was worried that I would have to send in my entire laptop. Glad for that.