Thinkpads Forum

I have a TP600X 2645-4EU. I have been getting the 173 and 163 errors even after replacing the CMOS battery. Could this be a system board problem? Do I need to replace the system board? I will appreciate any help that you can provide.

If you are sure the CMOS battery is good and properly connected, then a system board error is the only thing left.

I would test the battery (2.5 to 3.2V according to the HMM); then check the battery leads to ensure they contact the battery well; then check that the connector is crimped on the leads properly; then check the connector on the board to ensure there are no broken solder joints. I'd probably even heat them up for a moment.

some time ago i did update my config tool and after that everytime i did change anything in the config i got the 163&173 error.
After reinstalling windows from scratch the errors are gone so maybe its your software too.

But its also possible that the cmos battery is dead or something else...


cheers

Thanks whizkid! Will I lose BIOS information if the solder joints are broken? Even though I get the 173 and 163 errors, I do not lose the date and time settings. And more so, I do not lose any BIOS settings. I updated the BIOS to the latest version recently.

Thanks dudzke! I just reinstalled Windows XP recently on this machine but it is still doing the 173 and 163 errors. I even updated to the latest SP (SP2) and drivers to make sure everything works. But no luck on that even.

I appreciate your inputs on this issue that I have.

pedro_y wrote:Thanks whizkid! Will I lose BIOS information if the solder joints are broken? Even though I get the 173 and 163 errors, I do not lose the date and time settings. And more so, I do not lose any BIOS settings. I updated the BIOS to the latest version recently.

If you have an intermittent connection, you might not lose BIOS settings and still get those errors. I can't say for sure.

Thanks dudzke! I just reinstalled Windows XP recently on this machine but it is still doing the 173 and 163 errors. I even updated to the latest SP (SP2) and drivers to make sure everything works. But no luck on that even.

If you did a re-install on top of Windows, some settings will be retained, so it could still be a software issue. If you formatted the drive before installing, then you definitely have some type of hardware issue.

I am still getting this error. Any inputs to isolate the problem would be of great help.

Thanks!

One other thing to try. See if you can reset the BIOS. On machines with Easy Setup you just go into Easy Setup and you will find an "Initialize" button. I never tried this on my 600X, but I think you have a diagnostic disk with this function on it.

Hope some 600X expert will chime in here.

The 600X also has an Initialize selection in the BIOS.

I have tried the initialize but still gives me the same error

Check your CPU fan, I had one donig the same thing, replaced the battery and the problem was still there. I noticed the fan was bad, replaced it, and the machine works flawlessly.