Lenovo laptop beep error code: 1-3-3-1

[Parentz]

Hi everyone,
hope you had a good day.
My first post in this forum, so excited.

To cut straight to the point, I have this Lenovo E530 Thinkpad that worked perfectly until tuesday.
I've turned it on tuesday morning and...black screen and no logo, only this beep error code: 1-3-3-1.
So, I've searched on Lenovo website and I've found that this code is related to RAM or to MB.

So, I've changed the RAM, with a new one, same frequency and...it worked...for 2 days.
This morning I've turned it on and same beep error code: 1-3-3-1.
I've replaced the RAM, with a lot of other types of RAM, but nothing...stuck.

I've removed and reseated the CMOS battery, nothing...

I've tried to turned it on with no RAM, no HDD, no wireless adapter, no optical drive....the same...

So... do I have to resign myself that it is the MB?

Do you have any idea of things that I can try to do?

 

[Markverhyden]

To be honest I'd bet the problem was the MB all along. RAM rarely fails.

 

[otteam]

Beep code is mainly a Memory or Mainboard failure. Check your memory sticks using memtest86. If that's working fine then check for board damage. If there ‘s any board damage contact the support team.

 

[HFultzjr]

Just for $hits and Giggles, check the ram slot. Can it be cleaned?
1 stick in one slot.
Change slots
Etc., etc.

 

[Nick923]

I've been a Lenovo Tech for the past 4 years and I can without a doubt tell you that the model you have and the beep code you received it is without a doubt a motherboard issue. The past year alone I've replaced countless motherboards with that error on multiple Lenovo laptops. Ever since IBM let go of Lenovo the quality immediately tanked and as a result there are issues like these everywhere. If you have a warranty, send the board back and hope for the best or fix it and get rid of it.
Now I'm not one to complain and this post doesn't show that. I just want to express what I've come across working as a Lenovo tech. I hope I haven't scared you off Lenovo products now. I even have a Lenovo tablet that I use on occasion but I won't rely on it forever.

 

[Nick923]

I may have jumped the gun there, but I would start at the basics and check the RAM, then the sockets, then test with a known good stick. If the results are still 1-3-3-1 then I would pull the RAM out and see if the computer still gives the 1-3-3-1 beep code. If it's still giving the beep code with no RAM in the system at all that would leave me to believe the board is messed up. Also, worth checking the RAM in another laptop if available to make sure the sticks do in fact work still.

 

[Nick923]

I feel like I'm going on a tangent here and I do want to apologize for this. According to Lenovo both a 1-3-3-1 and 3-3-1 both mean the same exact thing. From what I can recall when I worked on the laptops, we would get a 1-3-3-1 with good RAM in the system. Pulling the RAM out of the system and testing it in another laptop would show us the RAM worked. With no RAM in the original system we would get the 3-3-1 beep instead. We always replaced the systemboard to get the machine running again.

This all being said it is possible that it is the RAM, there were a few times where it was in fact the RAM and why we would test it in another machine to verify. And there were times all we had to do was reseat the RAM and everything worked. So always test every possibility because with Lenovo the one little thing you don't think it could ever be your problem, that will be the problem. Also worth mentioning if you still have a warranty you should be able to send it in to Lenovo's repair facility and have them test all the parts and replace them. If they won't replace them they should tell you which parts they won't replace so you'll have an idea of what is wrong. I do hope this clears things up.