560X HELP!!!!!

[mozartpc27]

Hello Fellow Thinkpaders,

I have an obviously antiquated IBM Thinkpad 560X (so old it did not fit any of the forum descriptions!), which has a trackpoint problem. I have a couple of questions I am hoping someone can answer:

First, when I run a system board check, I get the following error messages:

DEV 086
ERR 22
FRU 0010

I know this has to do with the functionality of the track point mouse, but does anyone know what it means specifically? What I am really wondering is whether or not this is the type of problem that can be solved with a new keyboard, or can it only be solved with a new system board?

If it can be solved with a new keyboard, anyone have any tips for replacing the keyboard on an older model Thinkpad? I saw the fancy video on the Lenovo web site, but some of the details don't fit a Thinkpad as old as mine.

Thanks to anyone who can help!

--- Andrew

Note from Moderator: Please don't multipost.

[GomJabbar]

FYI, the 560X specific questions really belong in the ThinkPad Legacy Hardware forum.

I looked at the Hardware Maintenance Manual for a 600, and the error code you list (FRU 0010) indicates the problem is suspected to be in the system board. Here you can download the Hardware Maintenance Manual for the 560X.

[mozartpc27]

GomJabbar,

Thanks. I posted this message in the "general" area originally because I did not read very carefully, and failed to notice that the "Legacy" section included 500-series Thinkpads. I re-posted my question there soon after I noticed, but thanks for the heads up just the same.

As to your specific suggestion, I thank you for your input. Indeed I have a copy of the hardware manual on my Thinkpad, but the 560 series only lists FRU errors from 100s-8613, and after that are longer codes beginning with letters. My FRU code is 0010, and the manual suggests I look at "other codes not listed," which then essentially has instructions tailored towards people whose computers are totally shot. Mine is definitely a trackpoint or system board error (if I do not plug in an external mouse, I get 8611, which the manual describes as "System bus error - I/F between 8042 and IPDC"), but the manual only says after that to try re-seating the keyboard, then after that replacing it, and then after that the system board. I was wondering if anyone had more specific information.

Thanks for your helpful response, and thanks for any more input you can share!

[mozartpc27]

My FRU code is 0010, and the manual suggests I look at "other codes not listed," which then essentially has instructions tailored towards people whose computers are totally shot. Mine is definitely a trackpoint or system board error (if I do not plug in an external mouse, I get 8611, which the manual describes as "System bus error - I/F between 8042 and IPDC")

I should qualify this by saying that when I try starting the computer with no external mouse plugged in, I get the error code 8611. However, when I go to the test area of the BIOS and run a check on the system board, with or without the external mouse, the error message I get at that point is as described in my original post:

DEV 086
ERR 22
FRU 0010

Putting the DEV and ERR together gives me 8622, but that is not a listed FRU error code. Doing the same with the DEV and FRU to get 8610 is closer, but still not listed in the manual (the 8611 I get with no external mouse plugged in on power-up is closest).

So, any specific ideas? Will a new keyboard work or not?

[Nolonemo]

What happens when you start up with an external mouse attached?

I have an old 560x keyboard I'll send you for postage only (one of the arrow keys isn't working right, though that might be a cable problem you could fix by reseating). The KB and trackpoint work fine execpt for the one key, so you could test it out for cheap.

BTW, replacing the keyboard is pretty simple.

[whizkid]

Read your HMM more carefully. You cannot generate an error number from the DEV/ERR/FRU numbers. The DEV 086 is the item being tested. In this case I think it's the keyboard assembly.

The FRU is two two-digit codes of what to replace. The first 00 means don't replace anything. The 10 means... something else. The HMM will shed more light on it.

[GomJabbar]

What whizkid said is right. Looking at the Hardware Maintenance Manual for the 600 showed that the 10 of 0010 is the system board. AFAIK, ThinkPads use the same codes throughout their model lines. At least this is what I have seen so far.

[mozartpc27]

Nolonemo,

Thanks for the offer of a keyboard, but while I was busy this weekend I actually placed a bid on a 560X keyboard on ebay. If that does not pan out, however, if your offer still stands, I'd be happy to take you up on it. It is very generous of you. To answer your question, when I start it up with an external mouse attached it boots properly.

Based on what you said, GomJabbar, I should then replace the system board (thanks whizkid for helping me to interpret the error message, by the way)? I guess what I am asking is, is it possible that the Thinkpad test of the system board would interpret a faulty trackpoint mouse as a problem with the system board, which can actually be repaired by simply replacing the keyboard? Or is its internal diagnostic always right --- when it says you need a new system board, nothing but a new system board will do.

[whizkid]

The diagnostic software can be wrong. Try the keyboard first.

Tips for working on a ThinkPad: You might want to print a few pages of your HMM so they are close by when you work. Work on a large clean surface because you will drop screws and other small parts, so make them easy to find. Have patience.

[mozartpc27]

Thanks everybody who responded, it worked great! This was a real help!