Thinkpads Forum

Hi all;
My 600e (2645-8BU) won't boot. I worked fine when I first got it, but while working one day it crashed and hasn't booted since. Have previously upgraded the memory to 2x 128Mb SODIMMS (66Mhz, CL2) from Micron and it worked fine for a while with this memory installed. The hardware maintenance manual indicates this is either memory or system board. Anyone have experience with this? I really don't want to dump more money into this laptop without being reasonably certain. If these symptoms do indicate a system board do you have recommendations for where to get one?

I get the following error(s) no matter what combination of SODIMMS are installed

DEV 002
ER 83
FRU 2010

System specifics are below:

BIOS version, Date INET36WW, 11/20/99
System-unit serial # 26458BUxxxxxxx
System-board serial # xxxxxxxxxxx
Microprocessor Pentium(**) II Processor 400Mhz
UUID e3dee81-3b74-11c6-bf69-d061f3212c97

--Thank you in advance for any assistance.

MODERATOR EDIT: For your benefit, I removed the serial number information, so that no one can claim it as stolen

Here is what I would try:

Remove all memory modules and try to boot with just the 32Mb memory on the system board. If that fails try to get into Easy Setup by holding the F1 key down and powering on. If you can get into setup, run the system board and memory tests. If the system board test passes but the memory test fails, you can disable the on board memory. In Easy Setup select Config and then press Ctrl+D to bring up the editor. Change the value at byte 0x2B to 81 (default 80). Power off and plug in one of the Micron memory modules and try to boot and/or get into easy setup. If none of those procedures work you probably need a new system board. I've purchased one on Ebay from seller handymena and gotten good service. Be sure to ask for the same board FRU number that you have now. Delivered price is around $30.

Thank you to the brilliant BILLP!!

Just got the time to try your suggestion tonight. After disabling onboard RAM I added first one, then the other 128Mb SODIMM and successfully booted each time. All I can say my friend is you are a genius. Thank you once more for helping me boot a 600e that hasn't been on in 2 years. I've replaced the battery and CMOS battery hoping I could put this baby back into service. Thanks to you (and thinkpads.com) we've brought another ThinkPad back from the dead.