Bios At Startup

[zygmeister]

I recently bought a used T43 with Windows XP Pro SP3, new install and wiped clean. Every time I boot up, I get an error 0271 Check Date and Time settings. If I hit F1 as it suggests, I go to IBM Setup Bios Utility and can't get to XP screen until I input date and time. Since this happens each time, there must be something happening that does not keep the info. Any suggestions? Thanks, Zygmeister

[americo24]

Let me straighten things out here, So you bought this t43, And it was working fine until you wiped xp and since then the bios has been acting up, are you sutr there isn't more to the story? And can you answer the folling questions:

1) What did the Seller say in the description before you bought this item

2)What Bios version are you using?

[RealBlackStuff]

All you need is a new CMOS battery.
Remove the keyboard and front palm rest. It's the round yellow thingie on the mid/right.

[rkawakami]

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

What it sounds like is that the CMOS (aka, backup) battery is either disconnected or has died. The 0271 error indicates a loss of the time and forces you into the BIOS so that you can set it. You can use the instructions in the Hardware Maintenance Manual and replace it yourself. Choose from one of these:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-58837 (T43 Models 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876)
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-58791 (T43 Models 2668, 2669, 2678, 2679, 2686, 2687)

[zygmeister]

Wow...thank you all so much! I had a feeling it was a battery on the motherboard, or something similar, so it all makes sense now. I'm not sure that I want to chance doing my own fix, but I may, since the suggestions seem to indicate a pretty simple replacement. Thanks again for all of your input!

[Bruce Guttman]

Hardest thing about replacing the CMOS battery is keeping track of all the screws and screwcovers you need to remove. Don't be surprised of one of the things makes a run for it and you wind up short.

Also, there is one long screw that is odd: it has a very long unthreaded shaft (usually referred to as a Shoulder Screw). This screw goes near the CD/DVD.

Also, don't test your strength when you put the screws back. I think the IBM manual talks about 1/4 to 1/2 turn after the head touches the plastic.

Good luck.