Refurbishing a T43; Getting Error 1803, even sans Daughter

[GeoffC]

Hello,
I'm new to Thinkpads and after browsing the boards for a bit, I feel that someone here will be able to help me.

I got a handmedown Thinkpad T43 , type 1872, which I am trying to get running. It boots up but gives the error 1803 code: unauthorized daughter board installed; power off and remove card.

So I educated myself on how to remove the daughter card from the laptop, but even without the card in the computer, the 1803 error persists.

Is the system board now the most likely errant component? If so, the prices of replacement boards is too high. The lenovo support table states that it is the 'next thing to replace', as if money grew on trees.

Would a BIOS flash help? Its version is 1.24 . I am uncertain on how to do this. The notebook has a DVD drive but no floppy drive.

Then, I attempted to disable the wireless card via the BIOS setup Network-->Wireless--->Hidden. It did nothing.

As an aside, I see listings for the Thinkpad T43p. What makes it the 'P' version? Can I tell from the outside of the notebook if this is one of them? Forgive my N00biness...

So, any help is very much appreciated!
Many Thanks in advance!

Geoff

[sjthinkpader]

Welcome to the forum.

There are two daughter cards in the system. The larger (WiFi) one beneath the touch pad and a smaller (modem or modem/BT combo) one under the KB to the upper left. Have you removed both?

"p" versions are marked as T43p. They have the ATI V3200 GPU and 14 inch SXGA+ (1400x1050) or a 15 inch UXGA (1600x1200) LCD.

Type 18xx have intel integrated graphics and only available with XGA resolution LCD. These also use a different CPU fan/heatsink assembly.

[GeoffC]

I only removed the small one in the upper left portion under the keyboard.

I was unaware of the other one. I will check for it today.

Many Thanks!

[GeoffC]

So I got the other card out (the MiniPCI card) and the same problem persists...

any other ideas?

Thanks,
Geoff

[ajkula66]

That sounds like a BIOS gone nuts...you may try to re-flash it up or down, and see whether that changes anything...if not, you'll be looking for a new planar.

Good luck.

[underclocker]

Other than a bad mobo, I can only suggest 1) ensuring you've tried it with the optical, wifi, comm. CDC, hard drive, & second memory stick removed, if that doesn't work, I'd try 2) reflashing BIOS/Embedded Controller, 3) other memory sticks / alternate memory slots, 4) another CPU (at least eyeball the CPU to ensure the T43 supports that specific model/stepping - I've received T40's with Celeron CPU's installed!), 5) unplugging the fan and booting the machine with it disconnected, just to see if a different error stops the first one - you can hit the ESC key to bypass the fan error shutdown, but don't run the machine for more than one or two minutes or you'll burn it up!

Unforturnately, options 3, 4 & 5 above are long shots. Good luck and let us know how it goes (and welcome to the forum).

[sjthinkpader]

Remove the BIOS battery and the main battery then reinsert.

[GeoffC]

In regards to the removal of batteries, I took out the "Main" battery (the large rechargable battery pack), and then dismantled the computer, and removed the yellow-bagged lithium battery that is just to the right of the touchpad , under the palrest. Is this the BIOS battery , or is there another? I couldn't see any.

Is the above procedure "flashing the BIOS"? I thought it only resets the computer's date and time.... which it did.

If it's not flashing the bios, How to do so?

I'm very impressed with the design of the laptop; it slips apart so easily. Very nice...

Many thanks.

Geoff

[richk]

If you cannot boot, you cannot flash the bios. I've never seen that error on a T43, except when somebody tried to install a T42 bluetooth/modem. You say you pulled out the modem. (under the upper left corner of the keyboard) and the wireless card (under the palmrest). True? After that MB replacement is all there is left. If the rest of the machine is in good shape, it is probably worthwhile. They aren't that expensive. I don't have one right now, but I'm supposed to get one in next Monday.

[smdlmt]

Hi all,
I have got this 1803 error after installing grub 2. Dear GeoffC, how do you solve your problem? please help me.
Thanks
_alamati

[scr71822]

I picked up a used R52 which is identical really to a T43. It had a 1803 error. I figured out how to flash the bios and EC by hitting F1 at the IBm screen going into the BIOS then escaping but you have to boot from a USB floppy. Silly but works. Flashed from 1.02 - 1.29 and 1.06 EC still throwing the error. Any ideas?


UPDATE got the 1803 to go away!!

I pulled the modem card and chucked and pulled a BT modem and inserted an VIOLA no more 1803, of course this is after updating everything. Got a nearly new T43/R52 mobo with ATI GPU for 20 bucks.