R31 Won't Boot

Message

Bills86e · #1 Post by **Bills86e** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 12:31 am

Thinkpad R31, won't boot-up . Now what? I do not know about
computers. Could it be my CMOS battery? after it counts memory
the screen changes to:
PEX E61 Media test failure. check cable WHAT CABLE?
PXE MOF exiting Intel PXE.ROM
OPERATING SYSTEM NOT FOUND

Now what to do? Any help?
How many things affect this non boot-up?
It it easy to fix?

#2 Post by **Harryc** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 5:10 am

It sounds like your hard drive has gone south. Is it visible in BIOS? Try running a diagnostic on it. Either PC-Doctor or one from the Hard Drive manufacturers website.

Bills86e · #3 Post by **Bills86e** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 9:19 am

HARRYC
Thanks for responding! I don't have ANY disks

Very important info on computer, needing access to save it.
Won't diagnostic or OS disk wipe it out? I took the single screw
out that secures HHD and pulled out an inch then back in. It
booted to a screen where time is, I figured to put correct time in
and exited. Did I do good? It goes back to original non boot. Clock
was working, (changing). PW was disabled, do I need to address
all that? Does it just need config? I found a CMOS battery on eBay
Any info help resetting bios defaults?
I do not understand "visable in bios"

#4 Post by **Harryc** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 9:54 am

No a diagnostic will not harm the hard drive. What manufacturer is it? As far as no discs, it sounds like it's time to visit the local Electronics store. Heck even Kmart has discs.

Bills86e · #5 Post by **Bills86e** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 10:07 am

if it will not launch OS how would i be able to run software like
pc doc (did I say that right)? Any info on "safe mode" even tho
I don't understand it.
are system file corrupted that require the system to boot-up?
Do I need to take out the HHD to look on it to find MFg?
HHD no sounds but rpm speed accelleration.
No changes to configuration, that I know of.
Would I press F8 before or after or durring memory counting
sequence?

#6 Post by **Harryc** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 10:37 am

Sorry, I do not teach basic computing on the forum. Yes you'd have to remove the hard drive to see the manufacturers name. Might I suggest that you take this to a local repair shop to diagnose the problem?

#7 Post by **GomJabbar** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 10:40 am

I agree with Harryc that likely your hard drive has failed (although in theory it could be the hard drive controller too - not so likely IMO).

I was going to say if your R31 has a CD drive, you could create the PC-Doctor for DOS bootable CD and boot that up for diagnostics, however I do not see the R31 listed as one of the supported systems.

PC Doctor for DOS bootable CD - ThinkPad

Perhaps one of these others would work for you:
Hitachi Drive Fitness Test

Fujitsu Diagnostic Tool and Erase Utility

Samsung HUTIL

SeaTools for DOS

Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for DOS (CD)

Bills86e · #8 Post by **Bills86e** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 10:48 am

How or where to see if its visible?
Any help on proseedure?

#9 Post by **GomJabbar** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 11:31 am

Bills86e wrote:How or where to see if its visible?
Any help on proseedure?

Press F1 at the BIOS splash screen to enter setup.

Here is a BIOS simulator for the R30 (perhaps your R31 is the same).
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-40855

Click on the following in setup: Startup > Boot > +Hard Drive

Bills86e · #10 Post by **Bills86e** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 11:40 am

Sorry, I don't know what is splashscreen.
Pulled HHD: Hitachi DK23DA-20F, 20GB, 2.5, ata-100 ide/eide 4200

I appreciate the knowledge, it won't go to waste. Bill

If I get to BIOS screen do I have to enable password? ect?
I'll look see if clock is correct.

Yup. time date is correct

Don't see a HHD anywhere.

#11 Post by **GomJabbar** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 9:09 pm

Bills86e wrote:Sorry, I don't know what is splashscreen.

I pulled up the following image from Google.
http://images.dr3vil.com/files/default/100_0323s.jpg

Bills86e · #12 Post by **Bills86e** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 10:01 pm

Its like dark but see IBM thinkpad (on your link).
But no, Hey when I press on button,
all I get is post, no visual. After memory counting just goes to
2d screen = OS not found. And thats all.

#13 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 6:22 am

Harryc wrote:Might I suggest that you take this to a local repair shop to diagnose the problem?

I second that. Best advice!

Bills86e · #14 Post by **Bills86e** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 9:49 am

Great fellas. I took the hard drive out and gave to a tech. If it comes back good, it may be a ploblem with my machine. Hopefully
my DATA can be saved, I stressed that to the tech. Anyone know
what the biggest hhd (if its bad) thats R31 supported with least amount of probs if it needs replaced? Is more RPM better? I got
512 mb memory.

#15 Post by **Harryc** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 9:56 am

For capacity -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822136345

or
For speed -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822152110

Bills86e · #16 Post by **Bills86e** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 11:02 am

Thank you for that info Harry.
Speed of course. That link suggested a Crucial 1GB 200-Pin DDR SO-DIMM DDR 333 (PC 2700) Laptop Memory Model CT12864X335
upgrade. Is that compatable too with R31? Would two be better,
or is this a one slot machine? Or would a new pc be better.

#17 Post by **Harryc** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 11:16 am

R31 takes 2 x 512MB PC133 modules. The linked PC2700 is not compatible. As far as upgrades, I might do a hard drive replace if the rest of the machine is in good shape, and possibly a RAM module upgrade if it were cheap. It's an older technology machine, so my opinion is that it is not worth upgrading past that point.

Bills86e · #18 Post by **Bills86e** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 12:09 pm

AH YES, the form factor is 144 pin on R31. I have two 256 now.
If I went with the speed HHD, would two 512mb enhance that hhd
's performance, or not be much? I want to thank you for your advice & patience and replying. Next ? is: if my 20GB HHD gets "fixed", (cost vs the performance gain)
should I upgrade the memory? No report as yet or if data got Saved. The only problem I am currently aware of is the closer/lid
does not latch and snap closed when you shut the notebook.

Bills86e · #19 Post by **Bills86e** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 12:27 pm

Flashlight reads: plastic catch on one side is broke, other side
plastic receiver is broke. Oh well. I carry it with care anyhoo.

Bills86e · #20 Post by **Bills86e** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 3:23 pm

I JUST NOW heard back from the Tech. He said bearing in hhd is
shot. Option is to send to a specialist who can disassemble in a dust free environment to retreive the data.

SO..I will buy the SPEED hhd suggested, is my current 512mb good
or should I get giddy-upped to two 512mb memory sticks?

#21 Post by **Harryc** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 3:41 pm

I'd recommend seeing what the performance is like with the new Hard Drive first. I can tell you it will be night and day compared to the old 4200rpm Hitachi drive you had.

Bills86e · #22 Post by **Bills86e** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 5:38 pm

Are 7200 rpm available for R31? I THANK YOU, and Wish all of
you a Happy Holiday. This forum is great!

#23 Post by **Harryc** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 5:41 pm

Yes, but the drive that was recommended is faster. Happy Holidays to you as well.

Bills86e · #24 Post by **Bills86e** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 1:44 pm

Installed new 160GB HHD, WORKS GREAT, Win XP-PRO OS.
It initialized, partitioned (used whole 160GB) and formated,
then loaded OS W/servicepac I & II, Anti-v, with no problems
into the R31.

1.
NEXT PROBLEM: My R31 has a USB port on the LH HHD bezel that
is not functioning. The back side of R31 has a USB also, it is
working, and I have my USB mouse there, its working fine.
The bezel, besides the USB, has two round holes, a green, and
a pink?
2.
I have an External drive enclosure, NexStar-3, USB 2.0 interface,
and it needs two separate/different USB ports (one Power, one
Data) to connect to a computer, for purpose of cloning a drive
image, that I want to copy my HHD to. I have a Systech product
extender CD disk to Hard Drive Imaging & Backup.
So I need the USB port on the left side (HHD port) to work.
How do I enable it?

I loaded a 40GB drive with same configuration as above (about 2GB) into the enclosure and it shows up when I plug into my
desktop PC just fine. I copied a file to it to check, and all is good. Then I deleted that with no problems.
Toshiba MK 4026GAX - Hard drive - 40 GB - internal - 2.5" - ATA-100 - 44 pin IDC - 5400 rpm - buffer: 16 MB
Later, I with clone my Desktop (about 8GB) onto this drive also.

I have set aside the old 20 GB so if the company needs the data, they can pay to rescue.

The R31 has 512MB memory and I sometime get the hourglass,
So I think I will up-date to 1GB 2x512, which is the Max for this machine.

#25 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 2:10 pm

The USB port on the left is part of the systemboard. You'd have to repair or replace the systemboard to fix it. How about a USB 2.0 PCMCIA card or a powered USB hub? Both are cheap solutions to your issue.

Bills86e · #26 Post by **Bills86e** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 3:13 pm

On my keyboard is a THINKPAD button. From what I read, its
a users manual, but nothing happens if I press it.
To the left of the hard drive bezel is a bay? has a blue button.
3.I can't find a users manual anywhere. Sorry to post all my probs!
4.What wireless devise would I need so I can be far away in my big house to receive an internet signal, that would be compatable with this machine (type:2656,mdl:E4U)?

Since the new HHD is new, I guess I will not clone it, so haveing
the HHD USB port (for power) not work is OK, but just a frown!

#27 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 3:32 pm

Here is the maintenance manual, it has all of the locations on the laptop -
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 39797.html

What wireless router do you have?

Bills86e · #28 Post by **Bills86e** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 3:35 pm

My home office room has a ATIVA and LINKSYS wireless G.

#29 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 3:49 pm

Well, for your purposes and equipment I'd recommend a Linksys Wireless G PCMCIA card. Something like a model WPC54G would be fine.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Linksys-WPC54G-Wire ... 53de6b1e84

Bills86e · #30 Post by **Bills86e** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:33 pm

WOW---HARRY!

I bought that for $11.50 shipped. GREAT ADVICE!!!! THANKS!

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