Thinkpads Forum

600X running XP with a new HD fitted.

Error 00173
Error 00163

From manual, 16 x or 17 x
(undefined date or
configuration error)


I set correct time, click ok, screen goes blank, starts up, IBM logo bottom left then after a less then a minute I get 1 beep and on the screen I see

O > I these are all flickering. I’ve found the online manual and the 0 > l error in the manual says ----

‘This message appears when you restart your computer after you have changed
the IDE channel from 2 to 3. Power off the computer and wait at least 5
seconds; then power it on again.’

I restart the laptop and get 00175 underneath that is 00173 and on the right of them is what looks like an open book. Manual says, 175, 177, 178
(EEPROM error) have the computer serviced.

I assume I need a new CMOS battery, I can find the part number in the manual later, that should take care of the 163 time error, lost completely with the IDE channel though. The EEPROM error is that fixable myself. I’ve tried searching and can’t find anything, searching the net I find links but the ones that look helpful the pages either come up blank or it’s too technical for me to understand.

Can i fix these myself or are they expensive repair shop jobs!

lutami wrote:600X running XP with a new HD fitted. <snip>
I restart the laptop and get 00175 underneath that is 00173 and on the right of them is what looks like an open book. Manual says, 175, 177, 178 (EEPROM error) have the computer serviced.

I have several 600X systems but have not encountered this error before. From looking at the Maintenance Manual, you appear to have bad data in the system EEPROM (eletrically eraseable programmable read-only memory). Generally you would have to replace the system board for this type of error. There are people/services which will remove your existing EEPROM and replace it with another one. Others will sell you a blank EEPROM which you then have to install. However, doing those things will most certainly modify the system serial number in the BIOS display, unless they take steps to read the existing information and attempt to determine which data is actually wrong.

As far as the IDE channel configuration is concerned, I can't say what's wrong there. The only thing I can say is make sure all of the pins on the hard drive are straight and that there are no "jumpers" across any of the pins.

Well ! rather strange and i don't understand why, i updated the BIOS, fitted a new CMOS battery, on boot i had the O > I error again, i rebooted, set time date etc rebooted and nothing since, no EEPROM error at all, machines running perfectly, no errors what-so ever.

Luck or what!