Codes on IBM 600

[opie]

Hello
I have a IBM 600 with the codes 161 and 163 which I replaced the CMOS battery but now the error or code are still there but it is asking for a password to do something but I do not know the password.
I press enter then it give me a ok or not ok . If I press the ok it shows the codes and it looks like a book. This was a new cmos battery. Any help would be nice even if it is bad.
Thanks
Opie

[Will.Spencer]

These first two errors should have been fixed when you replaced the CMOS battery.

161 Bad CMOS battery

1. Run Setup
2. CMOS Backup Battery
3. System Board

163 Clock not updating or invalid time set

1. Set the Time and Date in F1 CMOS setup
2. CMOS Backup Battery
3. System Board

However, it seems like you have a seperate problem now.

Quoting from the ThinkPad 600 Technical Reference:

Power-On Password
RT/CMOS RAM has 8 bytes reserved for the power-on password
and the check character. The 8 bytes are initialized to hex 00. The
microprocessor can access these bytes only during POST. After
POST is completed, if a power-on password is installed, the
password bytes are locked and cannot be accessed by any program.

During power-on password installation, the password (1 to 7
characters) is stored in the security space.

Installing the password is a function of the built-in system program
Easy-Setup. The power-on password does not appear on the screen
when it is installed, changed, or removed. After the power-on
password has been installed, it can be changed or removed only
during POST.

The computer also can have a keyboard password. For more
information, see the keyboard and auxiliary device controller section
of the IBM Personal System/2 Hardware Interface Technical
Reference.

Other Passwords

In addition to the power-on password, the computer provides two
more passwords:

The hard-disk password (HDP) protects the data on your
removable hard disk drive from being accessed by unauthorized
persons.

The supervisor password protects the system information in
Easy-Setup from being changed by unauthorized persons.

For more information about these passwords, refer to the ThinkPad
User's Guide.

From your description, it seems like the Power On Password is the one which you are having trouble with.

Luckily, IBM has a fix for you.

Quoting from the ThinkPad 600/600E (2645) Hardware Maintenance Manual:

How to Remove the Power-On Passwords
If only the power-on password is set, do the following to
remove the power-on password.

1. Power off the computer
2. Remove the DIMM cover on the bottom side of the
computer.
3. Short-circuit the two password pads or put the
jumper.
For the location of the password pads or jumper, see
the “Locations” section for each model.
4. Under the short-circuit condition, power on the
computer and wait until the POST ends.
After the POST ends, the password prompt does not
appear. The power-on password is removed.
5. Reinstall the DIMM cover.

If both the power-on password and the supervisor
password are set, do the following to remove the
passwords:

1. Power on the computer by pressing and holding F1.
2. Enter the supervisor password. The Easy-Setup
menu appears.
3. Click on the Password icon.
4. Click on the Power on icon.
5. Enter the supervisor password and press the Space
bar.
6. Press Enter twice.
7. Click on Exit; then click on Restart.

The power-on password has been removed.

[opie]

Is this the same for 600x. I look under the cover and found two pad it look like j28 or j26. Which is in the general area in the 600/600e manual.
Thanks,
Opie

[Will.Spencer]

Ahh... you have a 600X.

Look at the illustration on page 68 of the ThinkPad 600X Hardware Maintenance Manual.

The illustration very clearly shows the two pads which you are looking for.

[opie]

I tried to clear the power on password. It did not work so there must be other passwords like the PAP or harddrive password. The manual said replace the board or harddrive. The question is Is there another way to get the passwords from the computer?

[Will.Spencer]

If you can post exactly what your laptop screen says, we may be able to confirm which password you are having difficulty with.

If these instruction do not work for you, then yes --- you will have to replace the motherboard or the hard drive.

[soma56]

I have an absolutley identical problem. This is a very complicated TP 600x problem involving the track point mouse and BIOS passwords. I listed a couple of solutions that have helped me below for others online searching. I was able to have it perfectly running without error messages for a short time...however I ran into other problems as you'll see.

The laptop (TP 600x) received an error '8611' upon booting. This error is associated with the tracking point and can be disabled a couple of different ways. You could simply let the computer load, with the error, as far as it will go. You cannot get into the BIOS if you have this error (holding down F1) before and during power-up). I eventually got to one page that formally stated the 8611 error (the word thinkpad on an angle several times with a pop-up stating the error and giving me two options: "OK" and "Restart". When you press "OK" you are taken to a dead end page stating the 8611 error again and referecing the IBM Manual. There are no other options from this page. The page prior to which I pressed 'ESC' and the computer went to another page which included the following in the top left hand corner: "8611", "=" a symbol similar to that of non-smoking with the word "OK" marked out, and finanlly another symbol indicating a manual with the words "IBM" on it. Traditionally, presuming there are no issues with your hard drive, you could press "F1" and your computer will boot.

Taking the advice I found online, I downloaded IBM Thinkpad Configuration tool found here:

http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview...e_DE&cs=utf-8&
cc=de〈=de+en

After downloading and installing all the components there was an option to disable the tracking point. I did and the laptop booted with no problems. You will need to plug in a mouse though.

The second option would be to replace the keyboard entirely which from the many pages I've read most people have resorted to.

The third option, which did not work for me, involved taking the previous steps I noted to get to the '8611', 'red symbol', IBM manual' page. At that point pressing F5 or F8 which would lead you into the BIOS. There you can disable the onboard track point mouse and inevitably eliminate the error on boot-up.

A forth way involves taking the keyboard apart and soldering the wires in such a way that the BIOS does not recognize a problem. If I had more details on which wires then I might give it a shot. The only information I found on this one was found here (In addition to the F5 F8 repair method):

http://www.repairspot.com/thinkpad_8..._disabling.htm

THIS IS WHERE I AM NOW>>>>>>

So I was able to get into my operating system after receiving the 8611 error by the first method noted above. From there I downloaded the configuration tool (link is above) in which I was able to disable the on board tracking mouse. From there the laptop booted a couple of times with no problems. I went into the BIOS (holding down F1 prior to powering up and holding down until the Config page appears) and went into the boot menu (to boot from cd and reinstall windows). I didn't see any to disable the on board track point in the BIOS (however I may have an old BIOS version, I didn't see it, or perhaps it doesn't exist - yet others seem to say its there). Nevertheless, I went to reboot and guess what happens:

I get the 8611 error again. Worse: It will not boot from the cd or hard drive. Even more worse: The previous steps I took to access the OS work however the hard drive won't boot (according to this code I9990305 "no bootable device"). Bad hard drive, right? Tried another hard drive that I know was working 5 seconds earlier that I've had no issues with and I get the same error code.

The Worst Part: Upon Booting (this time - not previously - and I don't know why) I can hold down F1 (in an attempt to acces the BIOS) or F12 (in an attempt to access the boot menu) however I receive a passord screen. I was only in the BIOS a couple of times and didn't touch the password section, set a password - nothing to do with passwords. Yet I get this symbol of a lock and three attempts (which leads me to believe it is a password - and a supervisor password at that). The funny part is sometimes I'll receive the 8611 error page (that leds me to the red symbol and then to the I9990305 error "no bootable device") and other times I will receive the symbol of the lock prompting me for a password.

This is where I'm stuck. Disabled the tracking boot. I was able to get into the BIOS which I'm presuming I must have done something wrong because I'm asked for a password now (that I did not set) and the 8611 error has returned.

My steps today? Replacing the CMOS battery and resetting the POP password (Short-Circuit). Other then that I am at a loss. I have now idea what to do next then perhaps rip it apart in search of jumpers to reset or manipulate the BIOS.

[webbiatch]

I also get the 8611 error when I boot up...and my mouse isnt working at all! The way around this is to plug in an external mouse, boot up your laptop, you will get to the first error page, no need to restart, just hit ENTER...this will take you to the second error page with a crossed out OK and a book symbol...hit F1. Your system should boot. I then went into control panel and clicked on mouse, clicked the tracking tab and checked use external mouse and applied. You should be good to go!

P.S. I am using Windows 2000 Pro on my laptop.

[sunnyjack]

my thinkpad 600x just recently started showing a password prompt at boot and it seems to just press ok and type nothing and it will bypass but if you type anything and press ok it will give you an x. so if i just press ok i go to the next screen where i am getting the 161 163 error for the cmos battery which has been replaced brand new but it won't let me enter the setup to correct the time it just gets stuck there i am experienced wwith the thinkpads ive worked on many of them but never seen this particular problem please help with some suggestions

[Will.Spencer]

Originally Posted by sunnyjack

my thinkpad 600x just recently started showing a password prompt at boot and it seems to just press ok and type nothing and it will bypass but if you type anything and press ok it will give you an x. so if i just press ok i go to the next screen where i am getting the 161 163 error for the cmos battery which has been replaced brand new but it won't let me enter the setup to correct the time it just gets stuck there i am experienced wwith the thinkpads ive worked on many of them but never seen this particular problem please help with some suggestions

It really looks like your new CMOS battery is bad. Or, perhaps the main board is bad and can't properly use the CMOS battery.

The x's just mean that the ThinkPad is registering the characters you are typing.

Have you followed the steps posted earlier in this thread to remove the power on password and supervisor password -- just to be sure?

[Tonjo]

Originally Posted by soma56

I have an absolutley identical problem. This is a very complicated TP 600x problem involving the track point mouse and BIOS passwords. I listed a couple of solutions that have helped me below for others online searching. I was able to have it perfectly running without error messages for a short time...however I ran into other problems as you'll see.

The laptop (TP 600x) received an error '8611' upon booting. This error is associated with the tracking point and can be disabled a couple of different ways. You could simply let the computer load, with the error, as far as it will go. You cannot get into the BIOS if you have this error (holding down F1) before and during power-up). I eventually got to one page that formally stated the 8611 error (the word thinkpad on an angle several times with a pop-up stating the error and giving me two options: "OK" and "Restart". When you press "OK" you are taken to a dead end page stating the 8611 error again and referecing the IBM Manual. There are no other options from this page. The page prior to which I pressed 'ESC' and the computer went to another page which included the following in the top left hand corner: "8611", "=" a symbol similar to that of non-smoking with the word "OK" marked out, and finanlly another symbol indicating a manual with the words "IBM" on it. Traditionally, presuming there are no issues with your hard drive, you could press "F1" and your computer will boot.

Taking the advice I found online, I downloaded IBM Thinkpad Configuration tool found here:

http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview...e_DE&cs=utf-8&
cc=de〈=de+en

After downloading and installing all the components there was an option to disable the tracking point. I did and the laptop booted with no problems. You will need to plug in a mouse though.

The second option would be to replace the keyboard entirely which from the many pages I've read most people have resorted to.

The third option, which did not work for me, involved taking the previous steps I noted to get to the '8611', 'red symbol', IBM manual' page. At that point pressing F5 or F8 which would lead you into the BIOS. There you can disable the onboard track point mouse and inevitably eliminate the error on boot-up.

A forth way involves taking the keyboard apart and soldering the wires in such a way that the BIOS does not recognize a problem. If I had more details on which wires then I might give it a shot. The only information I found on this one was found here (In addition to the F5 F8 repair method):

http://www.repairspot.com/thinkpad_8..._disabling.htm

THIS IS WHERE I AM NOW>>>>>>

So I was able to get into my operating system after receiving the 8611 error by the first method noted above. From there I downloaded the configuration tool (link is above) in which I was able to disable the on board tracking mouse. From there the laptop booted a couple of times with no problems. I went into the BIOS (holding down F1 prior to powering up and holding down until the Config page appears) and went into the boot menu (to boot from cd and reinstall windows). I didn't see any to disable the on board track point in the BIOS (however I may have an old BIOS version, I didn't see it, or perhaps it doesn't exist - yet others seem to say its there). Nevertheless, I went to reboot and guess what happens:

I get the 8611 error again. Worse: It will not boot from the cd or hard drive. Even more worse: The previous steps I took to access the OS work however the hard drive won't boot (according to this code I9990305 "no bootable device"). Bad hard drive, right? Tried another hard drive that I know was working 5 seconds earlier that I've had no issues with and I get the same error code.

The Worst Part: Upon Booting (this time - not previously - and I don't know why) I can hold down F1 (in an attempt to acces the BIOS) or F12 (in an attempt to access the boot menu) however I receive a passord screen. I was only in the BIOS a couple of times and didn't touch the password section, set a password - nothing to do with passwords. Yet I get this symbol of a lock and three attempts (which leads me to believe it is a password - and a supervisor password at that). The funny part is sometimes I'll receive the 8611 error page (that leds me to the red symbol and then to the I9990305 error "no bootable device") and other times I will receive the symbol of the lock prompting me for a password.

This is where I'm stuck. Disabled the tracking boot. I was able to get into the BIOS which I'm presuming I must have done something wrong because I'm asked for a password now (that I did not set) and the 8611 error has returned.

My steps today? Replacing the CMOS battery and resetting the POP password (Short-Circuit). Other then that I am at a loss. I have now idea what to do next then perhaps rip it apart in search of jumpers to reset or manipulate the BIOS.

'Soma 56' you say that you downloaded a Configuration tool and provide the link to it which is useful. However how did you install the tool to allow you to disable the 'Track Point' if the Laptop will not Boot Up? I have exactly the same issue and get to the 8611 'OK' and 'OK crossed through' stage of Boot Up but the Laptop will go no further. This is despite an external mouse plugged in. It appears as though unless the Track Point can be disabled the lap top will not Boot up even with the External Mouse plugged in. Any suggestions, as no config tool can thus be installed?

[John Miller]

Originally Posted by Tonjo

However how did you install the tool to allow you to disable the 'Track Point' if the Laptop will not Boot Up? ... Any suggestions, as no config tool can thus be installed?

1. Let the IBM 600 boot up as far as it will, right to the point where it gives you the restart button to click.
   
2. Click the restart button and you will get an error number, a red symbol and the IBM book symbol.
   
3. Press <F5> or <F8> to go into the config.
   
4. Start the computer normally.

[NotTheOne]

Originally Posted by Will.Spencer

If you can post exactly what your laptop screen says, we may be able to confirm which password you are having difficulty with.

If these instruction do not work for you, then yes --- you will have to replace the motherboard or the hard drive.

Hello Will Spencer,
Mostly I want to thank you for the effort you put into resolving the issues people have with their IBM thinkpads. Good work. My family was given 2 model 600e machines so my daughters to use for them for school work. Nice but not entirely nice. IBM seems to have built these for paranoid IT people. Icons not prompts to tell you to enter a HD password would make them very unfriendly for most 1z 2z buyers. I had a CMOS battery die. I replaced it and yet the errors remained. I found your remarks the most helpful of the many websites I visited. Having 2 machines is what kept me from throwing a thinkpad out the window. After I swapped hard drives and found the icon move with the drive I realized I needed to enter a hard drive password. We never ever needed a HD password before but my 13 yr old reminded me of the password the machine had when we got it. The default administrator account was the only account on the machine when we got it. That password worked. What a concept - to require a password that has gone unneeded for who knows how long just because a battery runs low. After I got past the HD then I could set the clock. The battery and clock errors vanished. One bit of humor was the drives. When we first got the Thinkpads with Win2K - they had fat32 formatting. Keep up the good work.

[leamphil]

I also have a moribund IBM 600E that I am trying to get working again.

The harddrive crashed so I had to replace it (so I guess there should not be a harddrive password), at which point the CMOS battery went, so I replaced that too. I then got problems when booting (as below) so thought the new CMOS might be at fault so got another one but problems remain.

Current situation is that on booting I get the following codes:

196032 KB OK
161 & beep
163 & beep
Display of system & padlock icon

I press enter & get OK, then display of hand & error with codes 00161 & 00163, with option to press OK

I do that then get ERROR, 00161 & 00163 pointing to the book.

Suggestions please.

[Will.Spencer]

Originally Posted by leamphil

Current situation is that on booting I get the following codes:

196032 KB OK
161 & beep
163 & beep
Display of system & padlock icon

What the ThinkPad is telling us is:

161 Bad CMOS battery

1. Run Setup
2. CMOS Backup Battery
3. System Board

163 Clock not updating or invalid time set

1. Set the Time and Date in F1 CMOS setup
2. CMOS Backup Battery
3. System Board

Have you run the BIOS setup program, set the time, and saved the CMOS settings?

Originally Posted by leamphil

I press enter & get OK, then display of hand & error with codes 00161 & 00163, with option to press OK

I do that then get ERROR, 00161 & 00163 pointing to the book.

From there, have you tried pressing <F5> or <F8> to go into the config, and then booting normally?

Also, have you tried to remove the Power-On password following the instructions in the the ThinkPad 600/600E (2645) Hardware Maintenance Manual?

How to Remove the Power-On Passwords
If only the power-on password is set, do the following to
remove the power-on password.

1. Power off the computer
2. Remove the DIMM cover on the bottom side of the
computer.
3. Short-circuit the two password pads or put the
jumper.
For the location of the password pads or jumper, see
the “Locations” section for each model.
4. Under the short-circuit condition, power on the
computer and wait until the POST ends.
After the POST ends, the password prompt does not
appear. The power-on password is removed.
5. Reinstall the DIMM cover.

If both the power-on password and the supervisor
password are set, do the following to remove the
passwords:

1. Power on the computer by pressing and holding F1.
2. Enter the supervisor password. The Easy-Setup
menu appears.
3. Click on the Password icon.
4. Click on the Power on icon.
5. Enter the supervisor password and press the Space
bar.
6. Press Enter twice.
7. Click on Exit; then click on Restart.

The power-on password has been removed.

[leamphil]

Thanks very much for your response.

Originally Posted by Will.Spencer

Have you run the BIOS setup program, set the time, and saved the CMOS settings?

No - how do I do this ? Can I do this without going through the 161/163 errors ?

Originally Posted by Will.Spencer

From there, have you tried pressing <F5> or <F8> to go into the config, and then booting normally?

Yes I've tried, but no key does anything once I've got to the "Book"

Originally Posted by Will.Spencer

Also, have you tried to remove the Power-On password following the instructions in the the ThinkPad 600/600E (2645) Hardware Maintenance Manual?

Yes I've done this ... no change in behaviour, still prompts for power-on password but appears to accept Enter (says OK).

Anything else to suggest ?