Thinkpads Forum

Hi Folks, I have a Thinkpad 1411 i series that has been a workhorse for me for ten years. Its now my second computer just for word and for printing photos etc. A great second computer that is not used for the web.

I was getting an 071 cmos battery bad message along with an 070 real time clock error.....and also a memory good message.

Now it won't even boot to the error message screen.

1. Would a bad cmos cause the machine to not boot?

2. Apart from that should this model 1411 Thinkpad be able to boot without main battery installed(main battery removed) and only on plug in power? Or does it need the battery in place even for this?

3. I do need a new main battery as well, I have no problem buying one, however as I only use this plugged in to the wall at this point, do I need to buy one? Its no longer a mobile computer in other words.

Glad to have found this forum, I am from Boston. I Love Thinkpads and have had good luck with them. I would buy another in a minute.
My main rig is a Dell Core 2 Quad desktop in my home office.

Very appreciate any help.

Thank You

Welcome to the forum.

1. You do not need a good cmos battery to boot.
You actually answers that question yourselves by saying that you have been able to boot for a long time with a bad cmos battery.

2. You should be able to boot with the main battery removed.
I have just booted my i1400 with the main battery removed. I also got the 071 and 070 errors, and the memory good message.

3. You do not need to buy a new main battery.

My i1400 was not able to turn on when I got it. Turned out to be a leaking capacitor on the DC/DC board.
After having replaced the capacitor and done the clean-up it booted straight up and I have just verified that it still can boot, even with the main battery removed.

I believe, that what you need to make that i1411 start, is another DC/DC board.

Thanks for that answer. Is a dc/dc board something a novice can do, or should I call my pc guy? I've never really taken it apart before.

If it was a $100 fix I might do it.

Why would a capacitor leak?

Thanks again

First thing is that we do not know where the problem is. The DC/DC board is just a best guess.

What are the symptoms when you turn it on? Are there any reaction? Does any of the led indicators turn on?
Is the display completely black? Any sounds heard?

When going by the Hardware Maintenance Manual (HMM) - downloadable from the Lenovo Support page - then it is not that
difficult to take the machine apart. But the problem might be to find a replacement board. You may have to buy a complete
working machine to get one.
And $100 is way more than the machine is worth - even if it had been working.
Take a look at this ebay auktion. (clickable link)

Hi, at this point in time all the green led lights come on, then there is a beep and blackscreen then nothing else. I tried F1 key nothing but a beep ..this happens same with ctrl alt dlt...nothing.

I was doing this for a while then every couple of days it would boot up, but you know the sound instantly if its going to boot. Its much stronger right from the power on button.

Thanks I guess my pro pc guy can get the data off it if I need it, and dump it to an external maxtor or seagate HD.

I do love the trackpoint I'm so used to it and also the feel of the keyboard that's why I wanted to get it running, just for Word... letters etc. also Hewlett Packard really has you by the balls as my scanner and great printer a 712C can't work with my new Dell Desktop.
The 712 cartridges hold literally twice as much Ink as new models, is one of the best photo printers as far as fine quality, but HP is in the ink business as everyone knows.