Thinkpads Forum

While trying to solve RobT's problem of not being able to access the BIOS because of a 301 error, I researched the issue and then setup a web site which will hopefully be useful to people who have a similar keyboard boot error. If you have a stuck key when powering up the laptop, there will be a two digit code displayed before the "301". That is the scancode for the key which is causing a problem. How do you know which key it is? Well, that information is not in the Hardware Maintenance Manual (where it should be). You have to search around the net to find a table which will probably show you a couple of different scancode sets and then you have to figure out which one that IBM uses (BTW, it's Set 2). So to make things easier, I've set up this site:

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

I've tested this out on my 600X and it seems likely that it should should also work for other Thinkpad systems. If you find that this is not true, then please put a note here, PM me or e-mail me at the address on my web page.

Oh, what happens when two or more keys are stuck? Only one error code is displayed so you will have to identify and fix them one at a time. Also, if you get an "E0" error code, that means that one of 13 different keys could be stuck! It has to do with those keys actually sending out two or more bytes for the scancode. The first byte of those sequences is what appears to be captured during the POST and since they all begin with "E0", that's what you get.

Thanks a million guys. That was very helpful, and both the link and the website are golden.

I'll check on that F10 key, and those around it, to see if any are stuck. Will get back if/when I fix the problem or have more trouble/questions.

rkawakami wrote:So to make things easier, I've set up this site:
http://www.rkawakami.net/ibm_600x/301errors/

Thanks for researching this and posting this useful list of error codes, Ray. I've never seen this before anywhere, nor seen it explained before. Nice work.

Phil.