Just noticed on one of my laptops – an IBM 600X – has starting displaying a strange straight out of a sci-fi flick error message upon boot-up.
When the machine powers on I get a RAM readout, which is okay, then I get two error codes 163 and 173. The screen then changes to a BIOS readout of the date and time (all nulled) with the mouse cursor having changed to a bird that flaps when moved. I kid you not. Those wacky folks at IBM. ADHEREL
From there, you have to set the time, then move the bird over and click okay (or click cancel if you just want to skip like I did). The machine then loads some more, then goes into another unusual screen, this one of a bar and a circle with on/off in big letters just below. The mouse no longer works, so I did as the screen said and turned the laptop off/on.
The next power-up worked fine and Windows XP booted up normally, however the internal clock was basically zeroed – I didn’t enter the date.
If I turned the machine off then back on the machine boots up fine again, however if I leave the machine off for a few hours and then boot I get those error screen as a listed above. Once I filled in the date/time everything seemed to work normally again until I left the machine off for a while requiring me to again reset the date/time.
I did some digging and apparently I’m getting this error because my laptop’s internal CMOS battery which runs the internal clock (and probably a few other things) is dying or dead. From what I’ve read you can get a new one for just a few bucks, but to replace you need to whip out the old solder iron, a process out of my league. So I guess a trip to the repair shop is in order, assuming I really need to have the right date/time on a laptop I don’t use much anymore.
Hi Sunil,
chances are that your CMOS backup battery just gave up, and you main baterry is not good either (maybe not installed at all)
You may want to install a Spam filter on your Blog that Trustman law firm just got free publicity.
As Far as the battery Goes on you 600x I have two 600(e,x) and both have this problem. If you have a good laptop battery installed it will use the battery for keeping the time but once it has no charge it will loose time again. If you Don’t then all you can do is leave the power plugged in Permanently.
I also found that the 600x laptops are a lot better at running Linux than windoze.
Just to update, I finally did get a new CMOS battery (months after getting a new laptop!). Much to my delight no solder was needed, just take the old CMOS battery out and slide the new one in. Real simple, and the battery was just a few bucks on eBay! Problem solved.
Hi, I bought an old IBM 600X. Screen is not so clear or bright. I know, by default this machine filter to screen. But is there any way to change it? Thanks