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Bad Motherboard?

T40/T41/T42/T43 Series
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kuma32
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Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2010 8:02 am
Location: Brussels, Belgium

Bad Motherboard?

#1 Post by kuma32 » Sat Sep 25, 2010 1:44 pm

I have a T40 which hadn't been started up in several weeks. When I tried to start it, It did not boot normally, to the power-on password (POP), and instead after a long time, it displayed the error code 0176 (IBM site says it could mean a bad motherboard). It then went to the POP icon, but wouldn't take my password (which I remember). After several more unsuccessful tries, it started giving the 0176 error code and the 0271 error code. I bought another cmos battery and took the old one out and let it sit overnight (15 hours all together) and then put the new cmos battery in. It did not clear the POP and it brings it up (with the same two error codes first) so the same result -- it doesn't accept my password.

I thought maybe it was defaulting to the Supervisor password (which was the same as the POP or it wasn't set), but the icon is the little computer versus the little face icon which I thought was the icon for the Supervisor password. Is there an easy or obvious way to determine if the motherboard is bad? I think the T40 is finally dead, but thought I'd check with the experts here first. Thanks in advance for any info or advice offered.

rkawakami
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Re: Bad Motherboard?

#2 Post by rkawakami » Sat Sep 25, 2010 3:14 pm

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

It sounds like the system is operating correctly, given that you have/had a supervisor password (SVP). On my T41 (BIOS 3.21, two back from the newest), the SVP prompt is the same as the power-on prompt (POP); an icon of a computer, not a outline of a person. I'm not sure when they changed to the "person" prompt for the SVP, but all of the older systems that I have (pre-dating the T41), the POP and SVP prompts are identical.

Removing the CMOS battery for that length of time should have removed the POP, but to be sure, remove ALL power (battery and AC) for at least one minute. That you are still getting a prompt indicates to me that you are dealing with the SVP. You will have to try to remember what it was on your own. Forum rules dictate that there be no public discussions on how/if it can be removed/bypassed/hacked as it directly relates to a system security matter.
Ray Kawakami
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.

kuma32
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2010 8:02 am
Location: Brussels, Belgium

Re: Bad Motherboard?

#3 Post by kuma32 » Sat Sep 25, 2010 4:45 pm

Thanks. I didn't realize the icons were the same so that helps. I'm pretty sure the SVP was the same as the POP. So I'm thinking it's the motherboard. Is there an easy way to tell if it's bad?

rkawakami
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Re: Bad Motherboard?

#4 Post by rkawakami » Sat Sep 25, 2010 5:12 pm

Not really. If it is an SVP, then you'll have to provide the correct password in order to get the system to boot any kind of OS or diagnostic program. While I would say that it is theoretically possible for the system to spontaneously develop an SVP or to have an existing one corrupted, I'd have to say that it's a very remote chance. Try any/all passwords you've ever used. Also, if you have changed the keyboard to a different layout than what you had when you set the SVP, then that could cause a problem. My understanding is that the system retains the keyboard scan codes rather than the actual characters.
Ray Kawakami
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.

kuma32
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2010 8:02 am
Location: Brussels, Belgium

Re: Bad Motherboard?

#5 Post by kuma32 » Sun Sep 26, 2010 3:53 am

Thanks. So there's no easy way to tell if it's the motherboard or a SVP which is causing the problems.... well, I'll keep trying different possibilities for the password. Appreciate your time and help.

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