Thinkpads Forum

This 380Z ThinkPad has a password before boot and I know and use the (lower case) password.
Previously a test revealed a defective 16MB add on memory chip which I have since removed.
Now, when I power the system ON
I see 4B 301 and then the padlock prompt for my ThinkPad password and after I type the password and press Enter I see OK and the screen clears.
Next there is wallpaper ThinkPad and a universal DO NOT symbol with an open hand behind it (thumb to my right) followed by all capitals 'error' with next line "00301" the options underneath are for Test or Restart.
I also hear one beep, pause, one second beep.
All the tests including HDD appear to run successfully.
What next?


Moderator Edit - Moved to the correct forum.

301 is a keyboard error.

Examining the post after it was moved to Legacy

The 4B tells you which key it is that is causing the error. Each key is assigned a "number".

If you can get into the BIOS, go into the test mode and press "ctrl A" and you should see what looks like a keyboard layout. You can press and test each key on the keyboard. The one that doesn't respond might be the bad key, or maybe there is just a key that is stuck. Pressing each of them might help. (See Page 11 of the Hardware Maintenance Manual, if you need more reference)

In the alternative, you could try removing the keyboard and reseat the keyboard cable.

Thank you (all). By the way, I am in Fairfax, VA and work in Alexandria, VA (where I am now).
I put in 128 MB (total of 192 MB now?) and am getting three
ERROR
00161
00301
00163
I can give a try with the keyboard. I removed (and replaced) on in an HP notebook and it involved making a separation (disassembly) at the hinge(s). Is the method here similar?

Advice for turning off the password security. I have the password and do enter it.
Also, the code (actions) for getting into the BIOS?
I can use the 'eraser' control to move the cursor (looks like a flying duck) and select 'Test' and from there when I do Ctrl-A I get:
ThinkPad FRU Connections
CPU Card -connected
LCD Panel-connected
HDD -connected
FDD -connected
CD-ROM/DVD Drive -connected
Battery -connected
DIMM -connected ( 64 MB )
Keyboard -connected (85 Key - others)
Fan -connected

Port Replicator (red) Not Connected
(2-connector type)
Exit

I used the mouse to click on Keyboard
Wow!
Press and hold each key. A Blinking
character (box) should display for
each key pressed (except for 'Pause'
and 'Fn' key). Press 'Ctrl+Break' to Exit.

Will do.

All the keys test fine; however, I still get the '301' error.
Other notes:
* I have to enter the date and time (CMOS battery needs replacing?)
* After the error number '301' (or in conjunction) there are two loud BEEP sounds separated by approximately one second rest
Should I still try to remove and reconnect the keyboard?
Keys for getting into the CMOS setup?
Turning off the security password actions?
I have the password from the owner and do enter it.

Since I have to start work at 8:45am this may be the last post this morning.
Now the ERROR message:
00161
00163
I put in a boot floppy and am able to BOOT into Windows 98 floppy (diagnostic).
C: is RAMdrive
I do not find a D: drive
My A: contains
FORMAT.COM 49,575 04-23-99 10:22P
FINDRAMD.EXE 6,855 04-23-99 10:22P
FLASHPT.SYS 64,425 04-23-99 10:22P
FDISK.EXE 63,916 04-23-99 10:22P
4 files 184,771 bytes
166,400 bytes free
C is MS-RAMDRIVE
Directory of C:\
File not found
2,091,008 bytes free

Should I try FDISK
FORMAT
etc.
There are no errors other than the two reported.
I just do not see any hard drive letter (did not try all the way to Z: )

I bumped into this old post on accident. I'm just replying since nobody else did at the time..

BoBraxton: I'm sure you have this solved by now but just in case, the 00161/00163 is a bad CMOS battery.

BoBraxton wrote:Since I have to start work at 8:45am this may be the last post this morning.
Now the ERROR message:
00161
00163
I put in a boot floppy and am able to BOOT into Windows 98 floppy (diagnostic).
C: is RAMdrive
I do not find a D: drive
My A: contains
FORMAT.COM 49,575 04-23-99 10:22P
FINDRAMD.EXE 6,855 04-23-99 10:22P
FLASHPT.SYS 64,425 04-23-99 10:22P
FDISK.EXE 63,916 04-23-99 10:22P
4 files 184,771 bytes
166,400 bytes free
C is MS-RAMDRIVE
Directory of C:\
File not found
2,091,008 bytes free

Should I try FDISK
FORMAT
etc.
There are no errors other than the two reported.
I just do not see any hard drive letter (did not try all the way to Z: )

In case the 380Z uses the same scan codes as the 600X, try this:

http://www.rkawakami.net/ibm_600x/301errors/

I have documented all of the key scan codes at that site for the 600X. I believe that it also works for the 600E as well. Don't know and can't guarantee that it is correct for any other system at the moment.

"4B" is the letter "L".