Odd problems with XP and RAM.

[Saysana13B]

Yesterday, my P3 600Mhz processor came for my 600e. I followed the instructions and installed it. The 600e reads it as 500Mhz (that isn't the problem, I know it can't read the P3), The problem is I installed RAM today, but it only reads one stick plus the onboard 32mbs. Also I can't get passed the screen where it says in windows "We apologize for the inconveience, but Windows did not start successfully...." It just freezes. I thought after I upgraded my RAM, it would start, since XP requires 64mb Minimum.

[tfflivemb2]

You might need to disable the onboard ram. The directions are in the same sticky regarding the upgrade process.

[Saysana13B]

ERRR. Scratch that post. Now I have another problem. While opening up the 600e, the keyboard wire that connects to the motherboard broke off. It seems like the closer I get to getting this thing to work, the more problems arise.

Is there a way to disconnect the keyboard? Not physically but like go into BIOS and disconnect it so the errors will stop popping up?

I think I might want to sell it now. I don't want to dump any more money into it. Anyone interested?

[tfflivemb2]

ERRR. Scratch that post. Now I have another problem. While opening up the 600e, the keyboard wire that connects to the motherboard broke off. It seems like the closer I get to getting this thing to work, the more problems arise.

Is there a way to disconnect the keyboard? Not physically but like go into BIOS and disconnect it so the errors will stop popping up?

I think I might want to sell it now. I don't want to dump any more money into it. Anyone interested?

If you have an external keyboard (USB) you might be able to connect and get into the BIOS. The replacement keyboards are pretty cheap, less than $25 shipped on eBay.

I hope that you don't give up too quickly on the 600E. They are the pinnacle of the Thinkpad series.

If you do get rid of it....how much are you looking at?

[Saysana13B]

100$? With the 600Mhz cpu that came yesterday and the 2 sticks of 128mb that came today. Other things I bought for it was a CMOS battery and a another battery but this one is also dead (makes for two dead batteries -_-).

I browsed keyboards on ebay. It doesn't seem worth it anymore, since I wanted to stay under 200$ for this thing. It was either a PSP or this. It seems like I'd have more fun with a PSP right now lol. what a sad day.

I was in the past few days looking at different X2x thinkpads. But I think I'll find a new hobby for now. Next summer maybe? meh.

[Saysana13B]

Okay Change of heart I guess. I ordered a new keyboard. Now I'd like to talk about the RAM. I tried testing it in BIOS and it gives me this

"DEV 002
ERR 83
FRU 2010"

Is that pretty much saying that "Your ram stick is DEAD" Or do I really need to dissable my onboard ram?? How would I go doing that? It isn't the slots that are bad either, I put the good one in both slots and turned it on. Also put the bad on in both slots and still wouldn't read.

[tfflivemb2]

As I understand it, if you are running PC66 ram (66MHz), it might fail, because the processor is trying to run the system at 100MHz. It doesn't necessarily mean that the ram is bad, it just isn't playing nice with the FSB.

If you read through the sticky again, you will see which adjustments to make to the BIOS to disable the onboard ram.

[Saysana13B]

Its PC100, also, there is a P3 CPU installed with the L2 disabled. Could that affect it?

Also, I just discovered it reads 2xxkb of ram (forgot the number) but it says 163 is usable.