Re this problem (I have not quoted it yet agian out of respect for the digesters), I have just received this info via the linux-thinkpad list
You need the newest bios-update! In older versions you get problems like yours because of acpi is activated in standard. On boot set the parameters acpi=off apm=on. Now it will works without problems. <<
Not sure that I dare try it again though :-)
Syd