IBM 600X trackpoint not working.

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IBMLappy · #1 Post by **IBMLappy** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 3:25 pm

I have a IBM ThinkPad 600X and the trackpoint does not work when windows is running. If i enable the trackpoint and then restart the computer i get an 8611 error and for that the trackpoint does work but just moves up and down and side to side but its hard to move. but if i disable the trackpoint and then restart the computer i dont get an error at all. Is there a way to fix this? Or is it possible that if i buy a new keyboard that it will fix this?

Thank You
IBMLappy

#2 Post by **rkawakami** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 4:46 pm

IBMLappy wrote:I have a IBM ThinkPad 600X and the trackpoint does not work when windows is running. <snip> Is there a way to fix this? Or is it possible that if i buy a new keyboard that it will fix this?

From my experience error 8611 typically means that the Trackpoint was found to have a problem during power-up. When the Trackpoint is enabled, does the pointer move by itself? This is generally what happens when it goes bad. From IBM's site on 600X error codes:

Error Codes
861x
(Pointing device error when TrackPoint is enabled.)
8611: System bus error-I/F between 8042 and IPDC.
8612: TrackPoint error.
8613: System board or TrackPoint error.

Possible solutions
1. Reseat the keyboard cable on the sub card.
2. Keyboard
3. External mouse
4. Sub card
5. System board

I would suggest that you try solution #1 before doing anything else. It requires that you remove several screws from the bottom of the laptop and then swing the keyboard up. There is one large connector for the keyboard and a smaller one for the speakers. Unplug the larger one and then plug it back in again. If you do not have one already, download the Hardware Maintenance Manual from here:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4DGNTQ

Keyboards can be easily found on eBay and there may be some available here in the Marketplace forum. Replacement of the Trackpoint itself is not something that is really possible due to the way it is attached to the keyboard.

IBMLappy · #3 Post by **IBMLappy** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:13 pm

I did the first one. Now my keyboard doesnt work i get error 301.

#4 Post by **rkawakami** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:26 pm

Make sure the keyobard connector is firmly seated down nice and flat against the jack. Also check the Sub Card (what the keyboard connector plugs into) and see if it has been loosened. Finally make sure that none of the keys are stuck down before powering up.

#5 Post by **AlphaKilo470** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:37 pm

Also make sure the keyboard and sub card connectors are both clean and obstruction free and that none of the pins are bent.

IBMLappy · #6 Post by **IBMLappy** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:58 pm

everything seems to look fine. but still i get error 301.

#7 Post by **rkawakami** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 9:43 pm

Generally the 301 error is a defective keyboard but it can occur if there is a problem with the cabling. Can you access the BIOS by holding down the F1 key while turning power on?

IBMLappy · #8 Post by **IBMLappy** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 9:56 pm

nope.

#9 Post by **rkawakami** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 10:16 pm

Are there any beeps generated when you turn on? I believe a single one should occur (don't have my 600X here with me at the moment). Any more than that indicates a problem. From my memory, if there is a series of consecutive beeps then that means a stuck key. If you can hang on for a couple of hours until I get home I can continue to diagnose your problem, unless somebody else jumps in.

I'm sorry if this has seemed to escalate your problem with the laptop. As the 301 error did not occur until you removed the keyboard, the only advice I can give right now is to double, triple check the ribbon cable from the keyboard to the connector, the alignment of said connector to the Sub Card in the laptop, and the connection of the Sub Card to the motherboard. Be sure to carefully check how the ribbon cable folds back on itself near the back edge of the laptop. If you can, check the pins inside the connector at the end of the keyboard ribbon cable with a magnifying glass and also the one soldered to the Sub Card.

IBMLappy · #10 Post by **IBMLappy** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 10:47 pm

No there is just one beep which is what it always does.

I think i did fold the ribbon differently when i first checked it and then got the 301 error.
What should i do since i did that?

#11 Post by **rkawakami** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 12:43 am

The ribbon cable from the keyboard to the Sub Card should only fold one way. It's so short that I can't see how it could be connected wrong. I have posted a couple of pictures of the keyboard connector:

Picture #1
Picture #2

In picture #1, the red line I drew shows how the ribbon cable bends at the back edge of the laptop. The yellow arc is how it folds down when the keyboard is lowered.

The second picture shows the inside of the connector and the pins you should check for proper alignment.

Also, when you power on the laptop and while it is going through the POST, the total system memory is displayed in the upper left corner. Just below that should be the error code 301. I've checked one of my 600X systems and if I hold down a key while powering up, there is another number displayed just in front of the 301. Do you see another number before the 301, if so what is it?

IBMLappy · #12 Post by **IBMLappy** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 10:43 am

Everything seems to look how it should and everything seems to line up.
Is it possible that i can get a new keyboard and it will fix both the 8611 error that i got and the current 301 error, and the keyboard and trackpoint will work?

#13 Post by **rkawakami** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 12:34 pm

Since both errors 8611 and 301 have to do with the keyboard assembly, replacing it is most likely the correct path to take. However, I am still worried that you got the 301 error just by opening up the laptop and removing/re-installing the keyboard ribbon cable. Besides the keyboard itself, the problem could also be in the Sub Card. From a cost point of view, replacing the Sub Card should be cheaper than the keyboard ($10 vs. $30). If the connector on the Sub Card still looks fine and the Sub Card is properly seated onto the motherboard then odds are something broke in the ribbon cable from the keyboard when you removed it and a keyboard replacement is in order.

But, before you go out and buy a keyboard....

Please confirm that there is, or is not, any number(s) displayed below the system memory line during the power-on self test (POST). If there are TWO numbers (one of them being "301") that usually indicates that you have a stuck key. If that is the cause of your 301 error, it may be possible to fix it before you have to buy anything.

IBMLappy · #14 Post by **IBMLappy** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 1:34 pm

No there isnt any other numbers. Just that one but then when it goes to the point where your supposed to select restart or ok. it says 00301 for the error number.

IBM 600X trackpoint not working.

IBM 600X trackpoint not working.

Re: IBM 600X trackpoint not working.

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