Thinkpad 600 charging problem

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hopelesslylost · #1 Post by **hopelesslylost** » Fri May 19, 2006 12:16 pm

I bought a used Thinkpad 600, model 2645-51U...when it arrived it was getting error codes 190 and 192, and would shut off before completely booting.

I replaced the CMOS battery, which got rid of the 192 error, but it still had error 190 and would still shut down as soon as the error popped up. I tried taking the battery out, and was able to boot the computer using just the power cord without getting the error. At this point, my best guess was that either the battery was totally dead, or it was a problem with the system board. I opted to change the battery first...and it booted as soon as I put the new battery in it, with no error...but the power cord was also plugged in at the time. If I unplugged the power cord, it shut off just as though there was no battery in it.

I turned on the power management to check the battery status...it said 89% charged, and this has not gotten any higher no matter how long I leave it plugged in.

Is it possible the problem is with the power cord? Or is it more likely the system board where the charging/battery power problem lies?

Website · #2 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Fri May 19, 2006 12:22 pm

What OS are you running?

Are you using IBM's Battery Maximizerprogram?

I had problems in the past on a 600E, where the 600E wouldn't boot with the battery installed. I could only boot it with the battery removed. Once I installed the Battery Maximizer program and then ran the setup, the problems were solved.

hopelesslylost · #3 Post by **hopelesslylost** » Fri May 19, 2006 12:36 pm

tfflivemb2 wrote:What OS are you running?

Are you using IBM's Battery Maximizerprogram?

I had problems in the past on a 600E, where the 600E wouldn't boot with the battery installed. I could only boot it with the battery removed. Once I installed the Battery Maximizer program and then ran the setup, the problems were solved.

I'm running Windows XP professional.

I haven't yet run IBM's Battery Maximizer, but will do that. I was able to get it boot with the new battery in without getting an error...but it was booting from the power cord. I unplug the cord and it all goes black, even though the battery has juice (when booted, the power management icon says the battery is at 89%). If I try to turn it on without the power cord plugged in, nothing happens...doesn't seem to be getting power at all from the battery.

Website · #4 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Fri May 19, 2006 12:53 pm

Yeah, I would try using the Battery Maximizer program. The IBM batteries have chips in them that can be read by their own software. Hopefully, it will relay information to your system that the battery is a good battery.

hopelesslylost · #5 Post by **hopelesslylost** » Sat May 20, 2006 8:32 pm

I downloaded it, and still having the same problem. It won't recognize the battery, even though the maximizer program shows the battery is there.

hopelesslylost · #6 Post by **hopelesslylost** » Wed May 31, 2006 11:42 pm

Got the problem resolved...it was indeed the system board. Once that was replaced, I learned that the original battery I replaced was actually still in great shape. Oh well, you live, you learn....I got it cheap anyway, and now have a spare.

Everything is awesome with this 600 now, and I even installed a Belkin wireless modem in it with very little difficulty. Took only about 5 minutes or less of troubleshooting.

Website · #7 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Wed May 31, 2006 11:45 pm

Glad to hear that you got it fixed cheap...sorry to hear that it was the system board. I was hoping that it was just the software relating to the battery. The last resort is almost always the system board.

Thinkpad 600 charging problem

Thinkpad 600 charging problem

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