Thinkpads Forum

Hello everyone!
Newbie here, I bought a ibm thinkpad 600x off ebay. I saw that the guy was selling it because it came up with the error code 8611 & done some research before I bid. Of course I found out that it's the trackpoint dead & all I have to do is buy & install another keyboard. SO I bid & won @ $265!
Now I have another problem. The usb is dead. It shows up in the device manager & it tells me there is nothing wrong with it. I tried several different usb devices in it but none of them power up or are seen by the system.
Also I have a ps2 mouse that I use on it but MOST of the time it doesn't load on start up. I have it plugged in &start the system but no mouse. I have the trackpoint set to disable cause I want to use the ps2 mouse & also to bypass the 8611 error till I get a keyboard. what gives?! When I took the pad apart to take a look I found that the usb port felt loose. It seems that a solder (weld) has popped loose but I'm not sure. What do you guys think of these problems? Otherwise, the laptop works GREAT! It's fast & runs XP home VERY WELL! I have all the updates & drivers loaded too, even the BIOS. I hope replacing the keyboard fixes all these problems.

I had a 770X with the same problem before,and you got it right...!!!....ALL the small leads from the port to the board were loose,and some were actually broke loose.....heat up a solder iron,and VERY carefully resolder them back on...don't touch the board,just the leads....

Good Luck..!!!

Greg St.L

Yes i hd the same 611 error, after that i scraped it and buit the new one i'm on RIGHT now, (with a wireless mouse) ;0), yeah sounds like you might kneed a knew motherboard, most of my coustomers, kneed knew motherbords, this happens, the 600's have bad cooling systems, the 600X you have, has overheated too much, you kneed one of my custom cpu thermal fans, My thinkpad stays Very cool, I am looking into a water cooled desinge. replcace the motherboard for 70 bucks, and the key board, you'll do good

I have two 600X's and take care of two 600E's. None have ever had a problem with heat. Ever.

There is no need for fancy cooling systems, bigger fans, heat pipes or liquid cooling.

If you want a faster machine, go buy one. If you put a fast CPU in a 600E, you're still stuck with 66MHz memory and a video chip that's nearly embarrassing.

Solder joints don't weaken from heat. They weaken from physical stress. Dropping the machine with something plugged into the USB port will do that.

Thanks for the replies guys, since I have went into IBM SETUP & disabled the quickboot, my mouse (extenal ps2) is loading everytome so far. I'm still hoping that I can get the usb problem solved though. If it was dropped or bumped or whatever, the fact is it's VERY LOOSE & doen't put "power" to a usb device. Maybe the force will be with me & YODA will come with a hydro-spanner wrench & fix it!