IBM Think Pad help

[Rolex]

I'm checking this out for someone, and it won't boot.
When I start it, I get a double beep and a window that says ERROR.
If I hit okay, or cancel, it takes me to the computer clock set. Originally it was at 1-1-99 and I reset it to the current date and time.
Same thing. I thought maybe the cmos batt was bad...still possible.

The next thing I get after the clock set is a green window that has a circle and a line..... (0 > l )with that karat in between, and it says off under the 0 and on under the l. I don't know what to hit.
I'm not familiar with laptops.

She says it had Win95 on it, and when it was given to her it was upgraded to 98, but it won't boot. It's been laying around for a while and she would like to see if it can be revived.

There's nothing of value in it, so if necessary I can reinstall 98 or wipe it out and install XP pro, but the less I have to do, the better.

Any advise for me?

 

[RC Addict]

Not sure about the ThinkPad but on my last three Compaq's a double "beep" on boot-up followed by a blank screen turned out to be a bad soundcard.

I will be interested to see what our resident techies say...

 

[Rolex]

I kind of doubt that it's the sound card, but I have a couple of other laptops I can strip for certain parts.

 

[RC Addict]

Let me edit that: The last one was a sound card, and wasn't a two beeper. The first two were bad video cards and were two beepers. I remember now because the vid cards could be replaced individually and the last one required a whole motherboard (guess the sound card was part of the motherboard?)... Good luck, buddy!

 

[Rolex]

I doubt she'll want to go the distance with it, that's why I'm waiting for those in the know to advise me on a full HD erase and OS install. If it's anything requiring parts, I'll probably have another one that's just that....parts.

 

[beason]

almost positive the cmos is dead. some laptops are easy to change, others require a complete tear down. look around inside any doors or openings on the bottom. (memory door, battery, hard drive door) and look for another door or slot with the battery in it.

as far as the next screen thats hard to say without seeing it. did you try pushing O or I??

if you dont change the cmos, every time you turn it off you will have to set the clock.

can you get a picture of the screen with the hieroglyphics?

 

[Rolex]

Thanks for your input. I'll check for the battery. I'll get a shot with my digital cam, then post it here in a few.

Here's where I'm stymied. This is the screen I get after the clock set and okay:

 

[beason]

i think its telling you to reboot, but without a new battery you will be back at square one. did you find the battery yet?? what is the model of the laptop?

 

[Rolex]

There it is, and that would be my first suspect, especially since it's old and hasn't been used in a long time.
The line shows where it plugs in and the circle shows where it resides.

Unit is an IBM Think Pad 600E.

 

[MotoGod]

Yeah replace the CMOS battery. If it's been sitting it's dead as a doornail ;-) Should fix you up.

 

[RC Addict]

That's just too cool. beason rocks!

 

[Rolex]

I found the button battery for 1.49, but in this pack and plug setup, it's as much as $25.

http://www.impactcomputers.com/02k6502-gn.html

 

[MotoGod]

Sure sounds like IBM to me ;-) Have you checked Radio Shack?

 

[mr_bob]

http://www.scribd.com/doc/10960097/IBM-Thinkpad-600E-Hardware-Mainteinance-Manual


i dont know if you have already googled and found that but i was just surfing around looking and for a manual might give you some hints

 

[beason]

yep thats her.. typical ibm.

you can attempt to unsolder the pigtail on that one and put it on another battery, but I've never had any luck getting the solder to stick. and if i did i overheated the cell and it popped (those things are LOUD!) if you can do it though its $1.50 instead of $25. you could try quite a few times and not be over the $25..

although if you have build packs before (and I'm sure you have) you should have no problem.. i have never built packs, so i was trial and error.

 

[Rolex]

Thanks for the link to that manual, mr bob. Hopefully I won't need it once the battery is replaced. I'm guessing I can probably find it for a lot less if I look around, but either way I need to check with her before I put any money into it.