Thinkpads Forum

I am trying to get my old thinkpad 600x to work again, since it broke a few years ago.

When I tried to boot it had no os installed, so I tried to install xp pro. It installs fine, but when rebooting it goes back to the install xp options etc.

If I take the xp cd out, it either comes up with the code to say there is no boot device or it shows a screen showing a floppy disc and F1 key pressed.

I ran pc doctor and it said there was no hard drive. So I took the hard drive out, put it back in and now it says there is a hard drive.

I tried formatting and installing xp, but it still doesn't work.

I replaced the cmos battery, am running the latest bios version, and it made no difference it I took out all memory, battery, cd drive etc.

I am currrently doing a full hd format via pc doctor to see if I can install xp now.

But in the mean time, does anyone have any suggestions? I know that this problem has been covered before, but I have spent ages reading and trying everyone's solutions, and none have worked yet.

Cheers

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sunnyV5 wrote:I replaced the cmos battery, am running the latest bios version, and it made no difference it I took out all memory, battery, cd drive etc.

Does the "etc." include the MiniPCI modem card? I've seen that particular piece of hardware impede OS installations and cause booting/power-up issues on T2x systems. It's basically the same type of modem if I'm not mistaken.

If removing the modem doesn't help, then have you run any kind of hard drive diagnostic? Either PC Doctor's Fixed Disk tests or a specific program for your drive; i.e., if it's a Hitachi then have you tried the Drive Fitness Test (DFT) program?

After the long format it still didn't work. Tried pc doctor and it couldn't find the hard drive. Took the drive out and noticed one of the pins was bent downwards - so straightened it, and then pc doctor recognised the drive.

I then used a partition manager boot up thing that was talked about in another post. I cleaned/cleared a partition and then installed xp....and it seems to be working for now.

It is currently installing so I will post back if it works or if it fails

Ok, so it seems to be working for now, but another problem.

I can't seem to get the battery to recharge past 26%. I know of the common fault that the battery power drops suddenly.

I guess I have to run it of mains, unless anyone has any ideas as to what I can do to fix the battery?

Sometimes you can get a little more capacity into the battery by cycling it. Run it down and then charge it up. Do this a couple of times and see if it improves any.

sunnyV5 wrote:Ok, so it seems to be working for now, but another problem.

Does that mean that it is time to update your signature already?!?

P.S.
Welcome to the forum!