T43 rehab project

[Hans Gruber]

My T43 is in close to mint condition. I have a theory of why I can't get bast the IBM Boot screen. Is it possible that the bios Battery is dead after nearly 10 years? Theoretically if I replace the battery I could again see my bios. If someone has a dead battery with a fresh battery to test my theory.

I am not Q from James Bond but I am a good guesser when it comes to trouble shooting computers.

[ajkula66]

Remove the CMOS battery altogether and see whether anything changes.

Given it's a T43 that we're discussing here, a loose SouthBridge chip is a likely culprit.

Let's hope I'm wrong on that one...

Good luck.

[Hans Gruber]

I had a hard drive problem. I wiped the drive, I have backup CD's of my entire install. My keyboard went bad and I got a new one. It's one of those projects where I got so frustrated years ago that I gave up. I do get to a screen that says broadcom which is the ethernet and no disk detected but no access to bios or beeps. A new battery is a whopping $4 on ebay. On desktop computers, pulling the lithium battery resets the entire system. When I pull the plug that may shock the system back to life if there is juice in the battery. My theory is without the battery the computer will not boot at all. If it does the same thing without the battery plugged in I think that would duplicate the same sequence and that would indicate the battery is dead. I will try it two ways, first unplugging it for 1 minute and plugging it back in and rebooting followed by booting without the battery.

[ajkula66]

My theory is without the battery the computer will not boot at all.

Your theory is wrong. One doesn't need a CMOS battery installed in a T4x to boot it.

Speaking of the hard drive not being recognized...

1) Is it inserted properly, all the way, face down, and secured by all four screws in its caddy?

2) Are you getting a "0200" error code on boot?

[Hans Gruber]

The CMOS battery keeps time for the bios and memorizes the bios settings. If the battery was a novelty or unnecessary, they would not include it in the computer. I also have an 80GB Seagate in a ATA-6 IBM super slim bay. Yes, all 4 screws are attached with the exterior plastic guard attached.

[ajkula66]

The CMOS battery keeps time for the bios and memorizes the bios settings. If the battery was a novelty or unnecessary, they would not include it in the computer.

You misunderstood.

What I'm trying to say is that a T43 WILL boot without a CMOS battery, although it will ask for a date and time after throwing an error. Speaking from experience - which is second to no one's when it comes to these particular machines - and trying to guide you so you don't end up chasing ghosts for a week.

I also have an 80 GB Seagate in a ATA-6 IBM super slim bay. Yes, all 4 screws are attached with the exterior plastic guard attached.

Why don't you have it in the main bay?

[Hans Gruber]

I have the 40GB in the main bay. I have an 80GB Seagate drive in the super slim caddy. It's not in the machine at the same time. I reformatted the disk because it was not working. I have backup disks of the entire system. I took it out of the closet after 5-7 years. Last time I tried the bios worked.

I do not doubt your expertise on these machines. I tried to boot without the CMOS battery with the same result. I tried it again after putting the battery back in duplicating the same result.

If you look on Ebay, they sell T43's without hard drives and can boot to the bios screen. I can't get past the stock IBM logo which is an eprom default with static memory built into the motherboard. This means it does not change.

It would cost me all of $4 with shipping for a new battery. A small price to pay. I have used the ThinkPad so little that the 6 cell battery still holds a charge after being plugged in for 30 seconds and unplugged. I understand the South Bridge issue with heavily used or poorly maintained laptops.

[ajkula66]

I understand the South Bridge issue with heavily used or poorly maintained laptops.

SB problem doesn't really have to be related to either/or. It's a matter of poorly designed/executed lead-free soldering process. Remove the palmrest, power the machine on and *gently* press on the wireless card. Are you able to get into BIOS now?

[Hans Gruber]

Good idea, I should give that a try.

[Hans Gruber]

Nope, nothing same thing. I put pressure on the Wifi Card and took it out to see exactly where the Southbridge was beneath it. No boot, no beeps just IBM Thinkpad screen. Do you think my computer is toast?

[ajkula66]

Do you think my computer is toast?

I'd say that there's a pretty good chance that it is...

[Saucey]

Does it turn on with or without the main battery installed?
I had an ultrabay battery on a machine that was not responsive until it was removed.

Dunno if that would be it but... wouldn't hurt.

[Hans Gruber]

It turns on just fine. It shows the Thinkpad screen with no ability to get into bios.