Thinkpads Forum

I've run a series of BIOS tests on my 770Z and it indicates a number of errors that suggest replacing the systemboard. But since I've upgraded this 770Z to a PIII 500MHz, I'm not sure if the BIOS tests are reliable. I wonder if anyone else with a 770X/Z upgraded to a PIII is getting or has seen these same errors?

List of Errors using built-in BIOS Tests

1. Memory-related Error:
- this error is due to the use of 256MB chips
- the error disappears when 256MB chips are removed

Memory
DEV 002
ERR 83
FRU 2010

2. IDE/UltraBay/Systemboard errors:
- I ran the tests with various items installed in the UltraBay II
- the errors all disappear when nothing is installed in the UltraBay II or when only a floppy drive is installed, including the HDD-1 error and a Display error that I didn't record
- when these tests are run while the 770Z is in a SelectaDock III, the exact same CD/DVD drives installed in the SelectaDock III UltraBay tray will pass tests OK

HDD-1
DEV 017
ERR 80
FRU 6010

CDROM-1 (Sanyo )
DEV 215
ERR 93
FRU 9010

DVD-1 (SR-8171-L)
DEV 217
ERR 93
FRU 9210

DVD-1 (Toshiba CD-2002)
DEV 217
ERR 96
FRU 9210

Normally I would have attributed all these errors to the fact that I've upgraded my CPU to a PIII, but I am also experiencing periodic untraceably system freezes. Up till now, I had thought these might just be heat-related. The freezes only ever seem to occur while my 770Z is installed in my SelectaDock III, and I don't have this setup in the best location to provide good air circulation.

Having done these tests, however, and come across all these errors, I now wonder if I have some kind of IDE/UltraBay II fault that only shows up when I'm doing intensive file transfers across the IDE interface (which is when the freezes occur). Maybe I need to replace my systemboard?

Does anyone else with a 770X/Z upgraded to a PIII experience any of these BIOS test errors (aside from the memory error, which I eliminated by removing the 256MB module)?

Phil.

If it helps, tomorrow, I will pull out my 770X and swap the 400MHz PII out with the PIII 500MHz and see if I get any of the same errors. I will also try using some of my 256mb sticks and test that too.

I will run the diagnostics BEFORE and AFTER the transplant and let you know the results.

OK, so tomorrow took a lot longer to get here than I thought. I ran into problems after I changed out the processor. Turns out that I wasn't properly seating one of the cables when I reinstalled the keyboard.

Anyway, it also would have helped if I read your post a little more thoroughly. I see now that you were testing things with and without a SelectaDock. I do not have a SelectaDock to test it with. I also do not have a floppy drive.

The only error that I rec'd was with the memory. Every thing else tested "OK". (HDD-1, CDROM-1, Display)

Thanks for checking results on your machine, tfflivemb2.

I decided to try replacing the motherboard/system board and have just completed the replacement. All the test errors have now disappeared, and everything comes up "OK". Hopefully, the symptoms of the board error (random freezing) have also disappeared!

I have a new test error that only shows up if I have the DEVA card inserted, but I will follow up with that in a different thread, as it is not related to these other errors.

Phil.

Wow, I thought that my reply was late...hehehe

Anyway, I'm glad to hear that you got your system up and running. I really like my 770X, even though I don't use it much.