IBM ThinkPad 600 Quick start guide

This book provides updates and additions to the information in the ThinkPad 600 User's Reference .
For complete information about your ThinkPad 600 computer, read the ThinkPad 600 User's Reference
(P/N 05L2160) with this book.
Part Number: 27L2876
ThinkPad 600
Guide for Windows 98

Note
Before using this information and the product it supports, be sure to read the “Safety Information,” “Using Your
Computer Comfortably and Safely,” and “Notices” sections of the ThinkPad 600 User's Reference .
Note for Using ThinkPad in Japan
When you use modem function in Japan, set the country to “Japan”. Using the modem functions with another
country's setting is against the Japanese Telecommunications Business Low.
The AC Adapter complies with the following Japanese standards:
Input: AC 100 V 50/60 Hz
Output: DC 16 V
91-56055
First Edition (July 1998)
The following paragraph does not apply to the United Kingdom or any country where such provisions are
inconsistent with local law:
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION PROVIDES THIS PUBLICATION “AS IS” WITHOUT ANY
WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE LIMITED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Some states do not allow
disclaimers of express or implied warranties in certain transactions; therefore, this statement may not apply to you.
This publication could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically made to the
information herein; these changes will be incorporated in new editions of the publication. IBM may make
improvements or changes in the products or the programs described in this publication at any time.
Requests for technical information about IBM products should be made to your IBM Authorized Dealer or your IBM
Marketing Representative.
Copyright International Business Machines Corporation 1998. All rights reserved. Note to U.S. Government
Users – Documentation related to restricted rights – Use, duplication, or disclosure is subject to restrictions set forth in
GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corp.

Contents
Chapter 1. Updates and Corrections ............... 1
Using the ThinkPad Configuration Program ............. 1
Corrections of the User's Reference ................. 2
Using a PC Card ............................ 3
Using Modem Features ........................ 3
Using Power Management ...................... 3
Using Windows 98 ........................... 4
Chapter 2. Solving Computer Problems ............. 5
Frequently Asked Questions ..................... 5
Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Troubleshooting Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Suspend or Hibernation Problems ............... 14
LCD Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
PC Card Problems ........................ 15
A Printer Problem ......................... 16
External Monitor Problems .................... 16
Docking Station Problems .................... 19
Other Option Problems ...................... 20
Software Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Other Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Chapter 3. Reinstalling the Software for Windows 98 ... 23
Reinstalling Microsoft Windows 98 ................. 24
Reinstalling the ThinkPad Configuration Program for Windows 98 25
Reinstalling the Display Driver for Windows 98 ......... 25
Reinstalling the Audio Device Driver for Windows 98 ...... 26
Reinstalling the IBM TrackPoint Driver for Windows 98 ..... 27
Reinstalling the ThinkPad Modem Driver for Windows 98 ... 28
Copyright IBM Corp. 1998 iii

iv IBM ThinkPad 600 Guide for Windows 98

Updates and Corrections
This chapter updates and corrects the information in the ThinkPad
600 User's Reference as follows:
Using the ThinkPad Configuration program
Using a PC Card
Using power management
Using modem features
Using Windows 98
Using the ThinkPad Configuration Program
Some features of the ThinkPad Configuration program are updated.
For information about the ThinkPad Configuration program, read this
book rather than the ThinkPad 600 User's Reference .
The ThinkPad Configuration program allows you to set up and
customize to your needs the computer's built-in devices. For
example, you can enable or disable a port, switch between your
computer's LCD and an external monitor, and set the power
management mode.
Copyright IBM Corp. 1998 1

Updates and Corrections
You can also start ThinkPad
Configuration as follows:
1. Click on Start.
2. Move the cursor to Programs,
ThinkPad and click on ThinkPad
Configuration.
To start the ThinkPad Configuration program for Windows 98, find
the ThinkPad icon on the right side of the taskbar; then double-click
on the icon. The following window appears:
1Click on one of these buttons to set the power mode to High
Performance mode, Automatic mode, or Customized mode.
2The Display Device buttons. Click on one of these buttons to
set the display output type to the LCD, the external monitor, or
both.
3The Help button displays online help.
4The View Angle buttons. Click on the front view or rear view
(with or without the port replicator) buttons to display the
hardware feature locations.
5The Device buttons. Click on the button of your choice from
the window. If the device is enabled, the red indicator next to
the button is lit. Otherwise, it stays off.
Corrections of the User's Reference
Note the following corrections:
The Recovery CD does support Windows 98.
2IBM ThinkPad 600 Guide for Windows 98

Updates and Corrections
The Diskette Factory program does support Windows 98.
Using a PC Card You can use a PC Card without PC Card support software
(CardWizard). For details on how to use a PC Card, see the manual
for Windows 98.
In addition, if you are communicating with a PC Card modem or
inserting a network PC Card in a PC Card slot, you should not put
your computer into suspend mode or hibernation mode, nor should
you click on Stand by in the “Shut Down Window” window.
If you remove a communication PC Card from the PC Card slot and
then reinsert it later, it might not work correctly. You need to reboot
your computer.
Your ThinkPad computer does not include the PC Card support
software (CardWizard), so references to it in the ThinkPad 600
User's Reference do not apply to your computer.
If you want to put your computer into suspend mode, first stop
the PC Card in the “PC Card (PCMCIA) Properties” window as
follows:
1. Click on Start, move the cursor to Settings, and click on
Control Panel.
2. Double-click on PC Card (PCMCIA).
3. From the list, select the card you are stopping.
4. Click on the Stop button.
Using Modem Features
For information about modem features in the Online User's Guide ,
same description as Windows 95 applies to Windows 98.
Using Power Management
For information about power management, follow the same
instructions for Windows 98 as for Windows 95.
The word Stand by on the Windows 98 screen has a different
meaning from the word standby in the Online User's Guide .
Chapter 1. Updates and Corrections 3

Updates and Corrections
In addition, note the following:
Suppose you activate the alarm action as follows:
Notification: Display message
Power level: When the alarm goes off, the computer will Standby.
Now, if your computer goes into suspend or hibernation mode when
the battery is low before the alarm message appears, you will see
the message when the computer resumes. To resume normal
operation, press OK.
You can set the alarm action as follows:
1. Start the ThinkPad Configuration program.
2. Click on Power Management.
3. Click on the Alarm tab.
4. Put a check mark in the Low Battery Alarm check box, the
Critical Low Battery Alarm check box, or both.
5. Set the percentage of the power level.
6. Click on the Alarm Action... button. You can set the alarm
action in the next window.
Even if you don't set the low battery alarm, the charge indicator
will let you know that the battery is low, and then the ThinkPad
will automatically enter the power-saving mode. This default
low-battery behavior is independent of the operating system, so
the computer might behave differently from your setting if you set
the low battery alarm. The computer chooses appropriately
between your setting and the default setting.
Using Windows 98 In Windows 98, it takes longer to enter suspend mode and resume
normal operation than it does in Windows 95. This performance
difference is caused by Windows 98, not the ThinkPad features.
For more information about Windows 98, see the following Web
site: http://www.ibm.com/thinkpad
See the following site for technical support
information: http://www.pc.ibm.com/support
4IBM ThinkPad 600 Guide for Windows 98

Solving Computer Problems
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers some frequently asked questions. Read this
section rather than the corresponding information in the ThinkPad
600 User's Reference . Go to the page indicated in the following
chart and take the specified action.
Questions Page
How can I stop the screen from blanking? 6
How can I set the infrared port? 6
How can I set the serial port? 7
How can I switch the TrackPoint and mouse? 8
How can I set the display resolution? 9
How can I set the external monitor? 10
How can I maximize the battery life? 10
How can I install the device drivers? 11
How can I use the Recovery CD? 11
Copyright IBM Corp. 1998 5

Solving Computer Problems
To solve the problems discussed in this section, you need to use the
ThinkPad Configuration program. To start the ThinkPad
Configuration program, find the ThinkPad icon on the taskbar and
then double-click on the icon.
The ThinkPad Configuration program window appears:
You can also open the
ThinkPad Configuration program as
follows:
1. Click on Start.
2. Move the cursor on Programs
and ThinkPad; then click on
ThinkPad Configuration.
My screen keeps blanking when I do not want it to. How can I
stop this?
You can disable any system timers, such as the LCD turnoff
timer or the system standby timer, with the ThinkPad
Configuration program.
1 Start the ThinkPad Configuration program.
2 Click on the Power Management button, and then
click on the Power Schemes tab.
You can disable the system timers by selecting Never
rather than a specific time.
How can I use my infrared port as a communication port?
If the infrared port is disabled, you must enable it before you
can use it again. To enable your infrared port, do as
follows:
6IBM ThinkPad 600 Guide for Windows 98

Solving Computer Problems
1 Save your work and quit any program you are using.
2 Start the ThinkPad Configuration program.
3 Click on the Infrared button.
4 Click on Enable.
A “Warning” might appear that the hardware resource
is being used by another communication port.
5 Click on Disable Device.
Another “Warning” window prompts you to restart your
computer.
6 Click on OK. The computer restarts.
After your infrared port is enabled, you can use it as a
communication port. If it does not work properly, you might
have a problem with your communication software or the
device that you are trying to communicate with. Check the
online help system for your communication software if the
other device appears to be working properly.
How can I use my serial port as a communication port?
If the serial port is disabled, you must enable it before you
can use it again. To enable your serial port.
1 Save your work and any program you are using.
2 Start the ThinkPad Configuration program.
3 Click on the Serial Port button.
4 Click on Enable.
A “Warning” might appear that the hardware resource
is being used by another communication port.
5 Click on Disable Device.
Another “Warning” window prompts you to restart your
computer.
6 Click on OK. The computer restarts.
If you check your infrared port and it is already enabled, you
can use it immediately without changing any settings.
You can disable your computer's serial port to free resources
for another communication device, such as the infrared port.
Chapter 2. Solving Computer Problems 7

Solving Computer Problems
After your serial port is enabled, you can use it as a
communication port. If it does not work properly, you might
have a problem with the communication software application
or the cable or device attached to the serial port. Check the
online help for your communication software if the cable and
attached device appear to be working properly.
How can I use an external mouse when I am at my desk, but
then use the TrackPoint when I am away from my desk?
The TrackPoint has an “Auto-Disable” setting that disables it
when you power on or restart the computer with an external
mouse attached. When you want to enable the TrackPoint,
remove the external mouse and then restart the computer.
If you check your serial port and it is already enabled, you
can use it immediately without changing any settings.
You can disable your computer's infrared port to free
resources for another communication device, such as the
serial port.
You can set up the TrackPoint manually with the ThinkPad
Configuration program as follows:
1 Start the ThinkPad Configuration program.
2 Click on the TrackPoint button.
3 Select Enable, Disable, or Auto-Disable.
4 Click on OK.
8IBM ThinkPad 600 Guide for Windows 98

Solving Computer Problems
Why do I not get the highest possible resolution out of my
external monitor when I am using the LCD and external monitor
at the same time?
You can set any resolution for either the ThinkPad LCD or
the external monitor. When you use both at the same time,
the resolution of both is the same. If you set a higher
resolution for the ThinkPad LCD, you can see only one part
of the screen at a time. You can see other parts by moving
the image with the TrackPoint or other pointing device. You
can change the display output type to the LCD, external
monitor, or both with the Display Device buttons of the
ThinkPad Configuration program or by pressing Fn+F7.
You can set up the external monitor as follows:
1 Double-click on My Computer, Control Panel, and
then Display. The “Display Properties” window
appears.
2 Click on the Settings tab.
3 Click on the Advanced... button.
4 Click on the Monitor tab.
5 Click on the Change... button. The “Update Device
Driver Wizard” window appears.
6 Follow the instructions on the screen by selecting
Display a list of all he drivers in a specific
location, so you can select the driver you want,
and then Show all hardware.
7 Select Manufacturers and Models
8 Click on Next.
9 Set Color palette and Desktop area in the “Display
Properties” window.
10 Click on OK.
Chapter 2. Solving Computer Problems 9

Solving Computer Problems
How can I set up the external monitor if the Windows
plug-and-play feature does not detect it?
Do as follows:
1 Double-click on My Computer, Control Panel, and
Display. The “Display Properties” window appears.
2 Click on the Settings tab.
3 Click on the Advanced... button.
4 Click on the Monitor tab.
5 Make sure that Automatically detect Plug & Play
monitors is checked.
6 If the option is checked and your monitor is still not
recognized after you restart the computer, click on the
Change... button. The “Update Device Driver Wizard”
window appears.
7 Select the monitor type that you have attached and
then click on OK.
8 Click on Close.
How can I maximize battery life?
To maximize battery life:
Use the battery until the charge is completely depleted
(until the battery and power LEDs flash in unison).
Recharge the battery completely before use (the
battery is fully charged when the AC Adapter is
plugged in and the battery LED is green).
For a new battery or a battery that you have not used
recently:
1. Use the battery until the charge is completely
depleted (until the battery and power LEDs flash
in unison).
2. Recharge completely before use (the battery is
fully charged when the AC Adapter is plugged in
and the battery LED is green).
10 IBM ThinkPad 600 Guide for Windows 98

Solving Computer Problems
3. Repeat these steps three times.
Always use power management features such as
power schemes, standby, and hibernation.
How can I get ThinkPad device drivers for Windows 98?
You can get the ThinkPad device drivers by using the
Diskette Factory. “Using the Diskette Factory” section
in Chapter 4 of the ThinkPad 600 User's Reference .
How to install the software Chapter 3 of this book.
How can I use the Recovery CD to reload my factory-installed
ThinkPad operating system and applications?
See the “Using the Recovery CD” section in Chapter 4 of
the ThinkPad 600 User's Reference . Even though the
ThinkPad 600 User's Reference describes procedures
applicable to Windows 95, those same procedures apply to
Windows 98.
Chapter 2. Solving Computer Problems 11

Solving Computer Problems
Troubleshooting Guide
The following chart shows how to find or solve a problem.
If a beep sounds, if a message appears, or if a function-related
problem occurs:
1 Find your symptom in the table and try solving the problem.
“Troubleshooting Charts” on page 13
—Or—
ThinkPad 600 User's Reference
2 If you can't solve the problem, run the test and make sure the
hardware and the device drivers are OK.
“Testing Your Computer” section of the ThinkPad 600
User's Reference
3 Note the error code and have the computer serviced.
“Getting Service” section of the ThinkPad 600 User's
Reference .
If you accidentally lose or damage software in your computer:
Recover it by using the Recovery CD or the Diskette Factory.
“Recovering Lost or Damaged Software” section of the
ThinkPad 600 User's Reference .
12 IBM ThinkPad 600 Guide for Windows 98

Solving Computer Problems
Troubleshooting Charts
If your computer has an error, it typically displays a message or an
error code, or a beep sounds when you power it on. See both the
ThinkPad 600 User's Reference and this book, go through the charts
and look for your problem.
Troubleshooting Chart See
Error codes or screen messages ThinkPad 600 User's Reference
No error codes or screen messages ThinkPad 600 User's Reference
Input problems ThinkPad 600 User's Reference
Suspend or hibernation problems Page 14
LCD problems Page 15
An indicator problem ThinkPad 600 User's Reference
Battery problems ThinkPad 600 User's Reference
CD-ROM drive problems ThinkPad 600 User's Reference
Infrared communication problems ThinkPad 600 User's Reference
Audio and telephony problem ThinkPad 600 User's Reference
An universal serial bus (USB)
problem
ThinkPad 600 User's Reference
Modem problems ThinkPad 600 User's Reference
PC Card problems Page 15
Docking station problems ThinkPad 600 User's Reference
A printer problem Page 16
External monitor problems Page 16
Port replicator problems Page 19
Other option problems Page 20
Software problems Page 21
Other problems Page 21
Chapter 2. Solving Computer Problems 13

Solving Computer Problems
Suspend or Hibernation Problems
Problem Action
The computer enters
suspend mode
automatically.
The computer enters suspend mode automatically when the processor
temperature reaches a certain level. This is not a defect.
The computer enters
suspend mode
immediately after POST
(the suspend indicator
goes on).
Make sure that:
The battery pack is charged.
The operating temperature is within the acceptable range. Refer to
Appendix A in the
ThinkPad 600 User's Reference .
If these items are correct, have the computer serviced.
Error 19 appears and the
computer immediately
switches off.
The battery pack power is getting low. Connect the AC Adapter to the
computer, or replace the battery pack with a fully charged one.
The computer does not
return from suspend
mode, or the suspend
lamp stays on and the
computer does not work.
The computer automatically enters suspend or hibernation mode when the
battery power is empty. Do one of the following:
Replace the battery pack with a fully charged one and then press Fn.
Connect the AC Adapter to the computer and then press Fn.
The LCD is blank after
resuming. Check whether an external monitor was connected before the computer entered suspend mode. Do not disconnect the external monitor while the computer
is in suspend mode or hibernation mode. If no external monitor is
attached when the computer resumes, the LCD remains blank and output
is not displayed. This restriction does not depend on the resolution value.
Your computer does not
enter suspend or
hibernation mode.
Check whether the any option has been selected to disable your computer from
entering suspend or hibernation mode. For more information
Online User's
Guide .
The computer does not
enter hibernation mode
with the Fn+F12 key
combination.
Enable hibernation mode as follows:
1. Start the ThinkPad Configuration program.
2. Click on Power Management ( ).
3. Click on the Hibernation tab.
4. Click on Enable Hibernation.
Note: If you have already created the hibernation file, this button is
displayed in gray and you cannot click on it.
5. Click on Create Now.
6. Click on OK.
14 IBM ThinkPad 600 Guide for Windows 98

Solving Computer Problems
LCD Problems
Problem Action
The screen is unreadable
or distorted. Make sure that:
The display driver is installed correctly by doing the following:
1. Start the ThinkPad Configuration program.
2. Click on LCD ( ).
3. Click on the Properties... button.
4. Click on Settings tab.
5. Click on the Advanced... button.
6. Click on the Adapter tab. Make sure the display driver shows “NeoMagic
MagicGraph 128XD.”
7. Click on Monitor tab.
Make sure that the information is correct.
Incorrect characters
appear on the screen. Did you install the operating system and application program correctly?
If they are installed and configured correctly, have the computer serviced.
The screen stays on even
after you power off your
computer.
Press the power shutdown switch with the tip of a pen and power off your
computer; then power it on again.
Missing, discolored, or
bright dots appear on the
screen every time you
power on your computer.
This is not a problem. It is an intrinsic characteristic of the TFT technology.
Your computer display contains multiple thin-film transistors (TFTs). A small
number of missing, discolored, or bright dots on the screen might exist all the
time.
PC Card Problems
Problem Action
The PC Card is installed
and configured, but it
does not work.
Modem card: Make sure all settings in the “Modem Control” panel and in your
communication application correspond and are correct.
SCSI card: Make sure the correct driver for the SCSI card is installed.
Note: You can insert a SCSI card while you are operating your computer;
however, it is recommended that you insert it at boot time.
Network card: Make sure all network components are correctly installed.
Combo card: Make sure the correct driver for the Combo card is installed.
Reboot the system, and then insert the Combo card.
Chapter 2. Solving Computer Problems 15

Solving Computer Problems
Problem Action
Your PC Card modem
does not work. Make sure that the infrared port is disabled and the modem is set up correctly.
Make sure that the COM port you set for the modem with the ThinkPad
Configuration program is the same as in the following procedure and that there
is no resource conflict.
A Printer Problem
Problem Action
The printer does not work. Make sure that:
The parallel connector is enabled.
1. Start the ThinkPad Configuration program.
2. Click on Parallel Port ( ).
3. Select Enable.
4. Click on OK.
The printer is turned on and ready to print.
The printer signal cable is connected to the correct connector of your
computer.
If these items are correct and the printer still does not work, run the tests
described in the printer manual. If the tests show that the printer is OK, have
the computer serviced.
External Monitor Problems
Problem Action
The external monitor is
blank. Do the following:
1. Connect the external monitor to another computer to make sure it works.
2. Reconnect the external monitor to your computer.
3. Start the ThinkPad Configuration program.
4. Click on External Display ( ) or LCD + External Display ( ).
If nothing appears on the external monitor, have it serviced.
16 IBM ThinkPad 600 Guide for Windows 98