Thinkpads Forum

Hi all!

I have a 600x that won't get past the blue screen that says "your disk needs to be checked for consistency" it has been stuck at 2% complete for days.

When I turn it off and on it says Thinkpad in the lower left corner and 324104 KB OK in the upper corner. Then shows the Windows XP icon. Says my system needs to be checked and then sticks at 2% everytime.

I tried skipping the check but the screen just goes to my start page and freezes. I can't open anything on the system.

Is my hard drive going bad? I know nothing about computers and have had this thing forever without any trouble.

I upgraded the RAM a few years back but everything else is standard.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Julia

Welcome to the forum!

How old is your hard drive? It sounds like it has gone bad ... try booting your 600X with a ubuntu live CD and see if you can access the hard drive from there. If you can, you might want to take a back up of your data via the USB port (on a flash drive or an external HDD) ..

Hello Julia,

Having it forever is a long time......

It might be the hard drive or it might be a corrupt file. Do you hear any odd sounds, more so than usual coming from your computer when this event takes place? Any loud ticking sounds? Normally a disk check will last 5 minutes, I've never heard of someone letting it sit for "days", very kind of you to let it relax......

Are you using Anti Virus software? If so, is it updated regularly (that you know of)?

You can try holding down the F8 key right after the "Thinkpad" screen. You will be given a list to start up your computer with. Pick "Safe mode with command prompt" Let's see if it gets through that. If so you will be given a command prompt when complete. Type in "CHKDSK /F". That will check the disk and fix any errors *if* it allows you to get that far. Reboot if it does.

I think I am going to admit defeat and buy a new(to me) laptop. I really love the design of the keyboard and track point on my 600x.

What would be a good newer model with a similar set-up? Used or refurbished would be fine. Built in wireless would be great so I won't have the usb adaptor sticking out. I HATE the track pads, just fyi.

Thanks again,

Julia

You would love(?)(drama) a T23. They can be had for a decent price which depends on how handy you are (or not)...... $100-250.

They are more of what the 600X isn't and that's a tough role to fill and they do so with vigor.

Not at all handy. You all talk about bios and I have no idea what that even is!

I found a refurbished T42 and a T43p in my price range. Any thought on either on of those?

Thanks!

BIOS......

Could you post a link to them, I'd like to take a gander at whom is doing the refurbishing and what they come with. If they are being refurbished by Lenovo then by all means dive in...... The T43p is a knockout, you'ld be very pleased with it for a long time to come.

That way I won't have to say...."BIOS".....ever again....lol.

At least you spelled it right, good for one extravagant night on the town in my book.......

Wow, jumping from a 600x to a T43p...nice! I would recommend the T43p over the T42 only because the "p" models have a much better graphics card and will likely last much longer...especially if you are looking at upgrading to Vista down the road.

If you do admit defeat, please sure to list your 600x here, as there are likely to be many takers for it, and still at a decent price given the unknown problem.

I took a gander, my only concern is with the 3 month warranty versus the 6 month on some models in your range. I prefer the longer warranty. Also, if your going to be using the laptop for personal use and not lugging it around or using/replacing a desktop at home get one with a 15" or 15.4" screen. If it's going to be toted to the corner cafe a 14" screen/case is easier to bag drag.

I've never bought a recertified, I don't know if the warranty can be extended, it will cost more but is worth the peace of mind. Maybe someone will chime in about that for us. I've always gone with a 3 year. The processors are all fast enough in your range.

One laptop I noticed was the Lenovo 3000 N100, it's already maxed on RAM, comes with Vista Home, has a 15.4" screen and includes a CDRW/DVD-RW which means you can burn a CD or DVD to disc. It was less expensive. Not the pretty one of the bunch but it will do the work with 6 months of warranty....and a Core Duo 1.6, not a speed freak but practical.

I looked at the one you mentioned. If it hadn't had Vista, I would have gotten that one.

I ordered a Sony Viao a few weeks ago with Vista. Hated it! Sent it back after only 3 days. The trackpad sucked and Vista was not user friendly. I need easy to use right out of the box.

Here is what I went with. I have 7 days to check it out an change my mind. I'll let you know how it goes!

Used ThinkPad T42p (C96) Slightly blemished
T2373C96
Add to cart
$689.00*
Sale!
Volume discount
In stock**
Intel® Pentium® M 765 2.05GHz
Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition
2048MB/2048MB
Slightly imperfect*
80GB
15" TFT
CD-RW/DVD Combo
None
Gigabit Ethernet
56K
802.11b and Bluetooth
Fingerprint reader
3 months limited

You, my dear, picked the one I did.......LOL. I wasn't going to push it, slightly blemished/3 month warranty and all but you did it......

Basic Input Output System = BIOS.

Killer system, lets hope the *slightly blemished* is a smudge on the wrist pad.......

Your going to have to post, AND sell your 600X..........

Why don't you like Vista? Sucks isn't a really good qualifier.......

Vista was much slower to respond than Windows XP. They system would freeze up on simple tasks, like trying to open My Computer properties.

I had a hard time finding anything, which I know I would have gotten use to but it still bothered me.

Everytime I tried to add a new program I got system warnings and the whole screen would go black. I get that is was trying to protect me but come on! I was installing media player classic to play DVD's. The one that came with the Viao didn't work.

Rebooting after it's sleeping freezes up too.

It's a resource hog.

Did I mention it freezes up??

Why, I think you did......

Yes it's a little different than XP. It takes longer to understand Vista than it did to learn XP.......

Got the T42p today. Love it!

The only blemish I can see is one small scuff mark on the top cover when it's shut. It also looks like one of the hinges is slightly different than the other. I really had to look close to find any flaws.

The system is super fast compared to my 600x but feels the same when I type, no learning curve for a new mouse system! Woo hoo!

The only thing I don't like is how small the fonts are on both web pages and window messages. I have changed the display settings several times but they won't stay for some reason?

Awesome system for the price. The max RAM made all the difference.

Thanks for all the help and advice in picking something similar.

Be sure to drop in again...... or else I'll send you PM's with just the word; "BIOS" in them.

You can change the size of the fonts with "Display Properties" -> "Apperance" -> "Font size:" - Normal, Large, Extra Large.

Or.... "Display Properties" -> "Advanced" -> "General" -> "DPI setting:". 96 dpi, 120 dpi, or custom.

Both of these will change the system "size" of the fonts......

Or.... put on very strong reading glasses.....


I'm glad your enjoying your new pet, it's best of show for sure.