0211 Keyboard Error - Usual Stuff Not Working

[Mr. B]

I have an X41 (not tablet) and I have been getting the 0211 keyboard failure error message without fail. The laptop used to function intermittently but now I constantly get this error at boot time. When it goes to the BIOS settings the keyboard is unresponsive. I can only turn off the laptop.

I have read about this error and the issues with the grounding leads on the motherboard. I've ensured they're clean and fiddled with the screws as directed but nothing has worked. If there are any alternative solutions to this issue I would love to hear them.

[Harryc]

What happens if you boot up a PC-Doctor disc and run the keyboard interactive tests?
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... yout=print

[Mr. B]

I don't have the ability to boot a CD... it's a boot time error and the keyboard will not respond so I cannot change the boot device. It's a nice disc to have though, works fine on my T41.

[rkawakami]

As long as you have the required equipment, I would recommend the following:

- remove the keyboard
- attach the system to a port replicator or dock or UltraBase
- attach an external keyboard to the port rep/dock/UltraBase
- see if you can then boot the system and run PC Doctor tests (port rep/dock/UltraBase will have a power button you can use to start the system)

This will at least tell you if the problem is with the keyboard or motherboard (more or less). It's possible that there's a problem with the keyboard connector on the motherboard and that no matter what replacement keyboard you install, you'll still get the 0211 error.

[Mr. B]

I would have to lean towards motherboard issues as I have already attempted to replace the keyboard... it made no difference.

I do not have an ultrabase at present... just a USB CD-ROM drive. I did try a USB keyboard with and without the onboard keyboard connected with no effect.

[Mr. B]

I hope I am not out of line bumping this thread... but I'm on the verge of just buying another X41 and I wanted to make another attempt at fixing it before I give up.

[rkawakami]

From the sounds of it, the problem may be with the motherboard. Here's two more things you can try:

- remove all of the screws that are securing the keyboard to the system and try powering up. There is a thread here that said this was the fix on a Z60m system ( http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=58212 ). Apparently one of the screws was shorting out the keyboard.
- remove the keyboard and inspect the keyboard connector on the motherboard for damage.

[Mr. B]

Thanks for posting. I tried removing all the screws and even tried removing the motherboard and booting the computer in pieces with the board not touching any other components... still got the error. The motherboard connector looks good and I have had two keyboard to test with including a brand new one.

I don't terribly mind replacing the motherboard but the cost is so similar to just buying another X41 so it's frustrating... at least I'll have a full spread of spare parts.