If your computer has an error, it often displays a message or an error code, or a beep sounds when you power it on. Go through the charts and look for your problem. If you find the problem, go to the page indicated and do the specified action.
| Note: | In the charts, x or n can be any character. |
| Problem | Action |
|---|---|
| 0200 (Failure Fixed Disk) | Do the following:.
|
| 021x (Keyboard error) | Make sure no object is placed on the keyboard or on the external
keyboard, if you have one; also check for stuck keys. Power off
the computer and power off all attached devices. Power on the computer
first; then power on the attached devices.
If you still have a problem, do the following:
|
| 023x (Memory error), 0281 (Memory size error) | Verify that the DIMM option is correctly installed; otherwise, contact your IBM reseller or IBM marketing representative for a replacement. The computer may also need to be serviced. |
| 0250 (System battery is dead - Replace and run SETUP) | The CMOS clock battery needs to be replaced. Have the computer serviced. |
| 0251 (System CMOS checksum bad - Default configuration used) | The CMOS may have been corrupted or modified incorrectly. Enter the BIOS Setup Utility and load the default settings; then restart the computer. If you still have a problem, have the computer serviced. |
| 0270 (Real time clock error) | There is an error with the Real-Time Clock. Have the computer serviced. |
| 0271 (Check date and time settings) | The Real-Time Clock has been reset. Enter the BIOS Setup Utility to verify and set (if necessary) the date and time settings. |
| 02Bx (Diskette drive error) | Do as follows:
|
| 02D0 (System cache error - Cache disabled) | Have the computer serviced. |
| I/O device IRQ conflict | There is an IRQ (interrupt request) conflict with I/O devices in your computer. See Resolving System Resource Conflicts. |
| Failing Bits: nnnn | There are errors reported during the memory test. Note down the number and have the computer serviced. You may need to replace the DIMM. |
| Operating system not found | An operating system cannot be found in the hard disk drive or diskette
drive. Turn off the computer, then do as follows:
If you still have a problem, have the computer serviced. |
| ERROR EDO RAM exist, system halt!
Non PC100 SDRAM exist, system halt! |
|
| Read Data Error from RFID EEPROM | The EEPROM which stores your computer's unique identification information has an error and needs to be replaced. Have the computer serviced. |
The power-on password prompt (
)
| A power-on password is set. Type the correct password and press
Enter to use the computer (see the User's
Reference).
If you still have a problem, have the computer serviced. |
The hard disk drive password prompt (
)
| A hard disk drive password is set. Type the correct password and
press Enter to use the computer (see the User's
Reference).
If you still have a problem, have the computer serviced. Attention: If you forget your hard disk password, you can no longer access the hard disk. The password cannot be reset and you will lose all data and files on the hard disk. To use the computer, you will need to replace the hard disk. This replacement will incur expenses for parts and labor. |
| Problem | Action | ||
|---|---|---|---|
The DOS full-screen looks smaller.
![]() | When you use a DOS application that supports only the 640x480 resolution
(VGA mode), the screen image might look slightly distorted or might appear
smaller than the display size. This is to maintain compatibility with
other DOS applications. To expand the screen image to the same size as
the actual screen, start the ThinkPad Configuration program and click
LCD (
); then select the Screen expansion function. (The
image might look slightly distorted.)
| ||
The screen is blank and you don't hear any beeps.
| Make sure that:
If a power-on password is set but does not appear, the brightness control might be set to minimum brightness. Adjust the brightness. If the screen still remains blank, have the computer serviced. | ||
| The screen is blank and you hear a continuous beep, or two or more beeps. | Have the computer serviced. |
| Problem | Action | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| The cursor does not move after the computer awakens from one of the power management modes. | Make sure you installed Windows with the Advanced Power Management (APM) option. | ||
| All or some keys on the keyboard do not work. |
If you still have a problem, have the computer serviced.
| ||
| The cursor drifts when the computer is turned on or after it resumes normal operation. | The cursor might drift when you are not using the TrackPoint during
normal operation. This is a normal characteristic of the TrackPoint and
is not a defect. Cursor drifting might occur for several seconds under
the following conditions:
| ||
| The mouse or pointing device does not work. |
| ||
| The mouse buttons do not work. | Reinstall the Standard PS/2 Port Mouse driver; then reinstall the PS/2 TrackPoint driver. See Installing Software for instructions on how to install the driver. | ||
| The scrolling or Magnifying Glass function does not work. | See the General tab page in "Mouse Properties", and make sure that the PS/2 TrackPoint driver is loaded. | ||
| A number appears when you type a letter. | The numeric lock function is on. To disable it, press and hold Shift; then press NumLk. | ||
| All or some keys on the external numeric keypad do not work. | Make sure that the external numeric keypad is correctly connected to the computer. | ||
| All or some keys on the external keyboard do not work. | To use an external keyboard, you can attach it to the computer either
directly or through the keyboard/mouse cable. Make sure that:
If these items are correct, disconnect the keyboard/mouse cable from the computer and make sure that the operation of the system keyboard is correct. If the system keyboard works, have the keyboard/mouse cable or the external keyboard serviced. |
| Problem | Action |
|---|---|
| The computer enters suspend mode automatically. | The computer enters suspend mode automatically when the processor temperature reaches a certain level. This is not a defect. |
| Performance degrade when the computer gets hot during use. | The processor speed might decrease under the following conditions:
|
| The computer enters suspend mode immediately after POST (the suspend indicator is on). | Make sure that:
|
| The computer turns on and immediately turns off. | The battery pack power is getting low. Connect the AC Adapter to the computer, or replace the battery pack with a fully charged one. |
| The computer does not return from suspend mode, or the suspend lamp stays on and the computer does not work. | The computer automatically enters suspend or hibernation mode when the
battery power is exhausted. Do one of the following:
|
| The LCD is blank after resuming. | Check if an external monitor was connected before the computer entered suspend mode. Do not disconnect the external monitor while the computer is in suspend mode or hibernation mode. If no external monitor is attached when the computer resumes, the LCD remains blank and output is not displayed. This restriction does not depend on the resolution value. |
| Your computer does not enter suspend or hibernation mode. | Check if the suspend or hibernation options are set.
Make sure the hibernation function is enabled. (See Enabling Hibernation Mode.) |
| The computer does not enter suspend mode as set by the timer under Windows 98, Windows 95 or Windows NT. | For Windows 98 and Windows 95:
The Windows 98 and Windows 95 generic CD-ROM driver accesses the internal CD-ROM drive every 3 seconds to see if a CD-ROM is inserted in the CD-ROM drive. This prevents your computer from entering suspend mode even after a timeout. To prevent this from occurring, do the following:
Windows 98 and Windows 95 no longer detects the CD-ROM insertion automatically. For Windows NT: The computer does not enter suspend mode by the timer if you enable the CD-ROM AutoRun feature. To enable the Suspend Timer function in the registry, do the following: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Cdrom\ Autorun: x1 Autorun: |
| The computer does not enter hibernation mode with the Fn+F12 key combination. | Make sure the hibernation function is enabled. (See Enabling Hibernation Mode.)
If the computer enters hibernation mode, all application programs stop. Communication also stops for communication PC Cards. Power to PC Cards also turn off. |
| Problem | Action |
|---|---|
| The screen is unreadable or distorted. | Make sure that:
|
| Incorrect characters appear on the screen. | Did you install the operating ssytem or application program with the
correct procedure?
If they are installed and configured correctly, have the computer serviced. |
| The screen stays on even after you power off the computer. | Push and hold the power switch for about five seconds; then release it to turn off your computer. Turn it on again. |
| Missing, discolored, or bright dots appear on the screen everytime you power on your computer. | This is a characteristic of TFT technology. Your computer display contains multiple thin-film transistors (TFTs). A small number of missing, discolored, or bright dots on the screen might exist all the time. |
| Problem | Action |
|---|---|
| The battery status indicator does not go on even though a battery pack is installed in the computer. | The over-current protection device inside the battery pack has been activated. Wait several hours and try again. If the indicator still does not go on, replace the battery pack or have the computer serviced. |
| Problem | Action |
|---|---|
| The battery pack cannot be fully charged in 3.5 hours by the power-off charging method. | The battery pack might be over-discharged. Do the following:
If the battery pack cannot be fully charged in 24 hours, use a new battery pack. |
| Your computer shuts down before the battery status indicator shows
empty.
-or- Your computer operates after the battery status indicator shows empty. | Repeat discharging and charging the battery pack at least three times. |
| The computer does not operate with a fully charged battery pack. | The over-current protective function in the battery pack might be activated. Turn off the computer for 1 minute to reset this function; then turn it back on again. |
| The battery pack cannot be charged. | The battery pack might not be able to charge when it is hot. In this case, remove it from the computer and leave it at room temperature for a while. After it cools down, reinstall it and recharge it. If it still cannot be charged, have it serviced. |
| Problem | Action |
|---|---|
| The CD-ROM does not work. | Make sure that:
|
| You hear a noise from the CD-ROM drive when the CD-ROM is spinning. | The CD-ROM drive cover might be bent. Have the computer serviced. |
| The CD-ROM tray does not open even if you press the CD-ROM eject button. | Insert a pin into the CD-ROM emergency eject hole and eject the CD-ROM tray. |
| The compact disc cannot be read. | Make sure that:
|
| Problem | Action |
|---|---|
| You computer cannot communicate with other devices using the infrared port. | Make sure that:
Communication can be affected by the light from the display on the computer. To avoid this, open the display to a wide angle. The same communications application has to be running on your computer and the other computer. Refer to the application manuals for more information. |
| Incorrect data is sent between your computer and a communicating device. | Make sure that:
|
| Problem | Action |
|---|---|
| General problems. | Problems may be due to such factors as:
|
| Problem | Action | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| A device connected to the USB connector does not work. |
| ||
| The computer does not recognize your USB device. | Unplug and plug in the USB device.
|
| Problem | Action | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Your modem application does not work with the ThinkPad modem. | Make sure that the internal modem port is enabled by opening the "Device
Manager" window and running the Modem Wizard or by opening the ThinkPad
Configuration program and doing as follows:
If the modem does not work correctly, see Resolving System Resource Conflicts and correct the resource conflict. If the modem works correctly, set the following modem settings by doing the following:
Run your modem application again. |
| Problem | Action |
|---|---|
| The PC Card shows "Ready", but it does not work correctly. | Make sure that:
|
| A system resource conflict occurred when a PC Card was used. | See Resolving System Resource Conflicts. |
| The system cannot start from the PC Card. | Make sure that the correct system resources are being used for the PC Card. Refer to Resolving System Resource Conflicts. |
| You cannot use PC Cards other than IBM ones in the OS/2 Warp environment. | If you do not have the PC Card device driver for OS/2 but you have one
for DOS, your PC Card may run in the VDM (Virtual DOS machine)
environment. Refer to the *** for setting the VDM and the sample configuration
files on the PCMCIA Installation Diskette for OS/2.
If the PCMCIA Installation Diskette for OS/2 did not come with the computer, create it using the Diskette Factory program. Refer to the User's Reference. |
| PC Card support software does not recognize your PC Card. | Make sure that:
|
| The PC Card is recognized by PC Card support software, but the "Not Ready" or "Not Configured" message is shown. | Make sure that:
|
| Problem | Action |
|---|---|
| The printer does not work. | Make sure that:
If these items are correct and the printer still does not work, run the tests described in the printer manual. If the tests show that the printer is OK, have the computer serviced. |
| Problem | Action |
|---|---|
| The external monitor is blank. | Do the following:
If nothing appears on the external monitor, have the computer serviced. |
| You cannot set a higher resolution than the present one on your external monitor. | Make sure that:
|
| The screen is unreadable or distorted. | Make sure that:
If the settings are correct, run the tests described in the manual supplied with the external monitor. If the tests show that the external monitor is OK, have the computer serviced. |
| Wrong characters appear on the screen. | Did you install the operating ssytem or application program with the
correct procedure?
If you did, have the external monitor serviced. |
| Problem | Action | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| The computer hangs when you power on or resume operation. | Make sure that the computer is securely attached to the port
replicator.
If there is still a problem, have the port replicator serviced. | ||
| The joystick port of the port replicator does not work. | To enable the joystick port of the port replicator, use the ThinkPad
Configuration program. Make sure that the joystick port is enabled by
doing the following:
|
| Problem | Action |
|---|---|
| An IBM option that you just installed does not work. | Make sure that:
If the test program for the option did not find the problem, have the computer and option serviced. |
| An IBM option that used to work no longer works. | Make sure that:
If these items are correct and the test program did not find the problem, have the computer and the option serviced. |
| The serial port does not work. | Make sure that the serial port is enabled by doing the following:
For Windows 98 and Windows 95:
|
| Problem | Action |
|---|---|
| An application does not run correctly. | Check the following to make sure that the problem is not being caused by
the application:
If an error message appears when you are using the application program, refer to the manuals supplied with the application.If these items are correct and you still have a problem, contact your place of purchase or the service representative for help. |
| The Windows Safe Mode screen appears. | Your computer may not have shutdown properly the last time. In
Safe Mode, shutdown and restart your computer.
If you still have a problem, contact your place of purchase or the service representative for help. |
| You cannot install OS/2 Warp | See the IBM Web site. |
| Problem | Action |
|---|---|
| The computer locks or does not accept any input. |
|
| The computer does not turn off with the power switch. | If the suspend indicator is on and you are working under battery power,
change the battery to a fully charged one or change your power source to ac
power.
If you still have a problem, push and hold the power switch for about five seconds, then release it to turn off the computer. Restart the computer. If the computer still does not turn off, remove all power sources (battery pack and AC Adapter) from the computer; then reinstall the power sources and restart the computer. |
| The computer does not start from a diskette. | Make sure that the startup sequence in the BIOS Setup Utility is set so that the comptuer starts up from the diskette drive (see the User's Reference). |
| Performance degrades when the computer gets hot during use. | The processor speed might decrease under the following conditions:
|
| A memory shortage or memory error occurs. |
|