Lenovo ThinkPad X300 6477 Manual

ThinkPad®X300
Service and Troubleshooting Guide

ThinkPad®X300
Service and Troubleshooting Guide

Note
Before using this information and the product it supports, be sure to read the following:
vSafety and Warranty Guide included in the package with this publication.
vWireless related information in online Access Help and Appendix D, “Notices,” on page 65.
vRegulatory Notice included in the package with this publication.
First Edition (December 2007)
©Copyright Lenovo 2007. All rights reserved.
LENOVO products, data, computer software, and services have been developed exclusively at private expense and
are sold to governmental entities as commercial items as defined by 48 C.F.R. 2.101 with limited and restricted rights
to use, reproduction and disclosure.
LIMITED AND RESTRICTED RIGHTS NOTICE: If products, data, computer software, or services are delivered
pursuant aGeneral Services Administration ″GSA″contract, use, reproduction, or disclosure is subject to restrictions
set forth in Contract No. GS-35F-05925.

Contents
Read this first ...........v
Chapter 1. Finding information .....1
This guide and other publications .....1
Finding information with the ThinkVantage
button ..............2
Chapter 2. Taking care of your ThinkPad
computer .............3
Important tips............3
Be careful about where and how you work 3
Be gentle with your computer .....4
Register your computer .......4
Carry your computer properly .....4
Handle storage media and drives properly 4
Be sure not to modify your computer ...5
Take care in setting passwords .....5
Care for the fingerprint reader .....5
Cleaning the cover of your computer ...5
Cleaning your computer keyboard ....6
Cleaning your computer display ....6
Chapter 3. Solving computer problems ..7
Frequently asked questions .......7
Entering the BIOS Setup Utility ......8
Diagnosing problems .........9
HDD Diagnostic program .......9
Diagnosing problems using PC-Doctor
from the service partition ......10
Troubleshooting...........10
Error messages ..........10
Errors without messages .......16
Memory problems .........18
Password problems ........19
Keyboard problems ........19
Pointing device problems ......20
Sleep (standby) or hibernation problems 20
Computer screen problems ......23
Battery problems .........26
AC adapter problems ........26
Hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive
(SSD) problems ..........27
Optical drive problems .......28
Fingerprint reader problems .....28
Startup problems .........28
Chapter 4. Recovery options ......31
Introducing Rescue and Recovery .....31
Solid state drive (SSD) .......31
Restoring the factory contents ......32
Recovering data...........33
Chapter 5. Upgrading and replacing
devices .............35
Replacing the battery .........35
Upgrading the hard disk drive or solid state
drive ..............38
Replacing memory ..........40
Replacing the second battery ......43
Using the travel cover.........45
Chapter 6. Getting help and service ...47
Getting help and service ........47
Getting help on the Web ........47
Calling the Customer Support Center ...47
Getting help around the world......49
Worldwide telephone list........49
Appendix A. Warranty information ....55
Types of warranty service .......56
Appendix B. Customer Replaceable Units
(CRUs) .............57
Appendix C. Features and Specifications 61
Features .............61
Specifications ...........62
Appendix D. Notices.........65
Notices..............65
Export classification notice ......66
Electronic emissions notices .......66
Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) Statement .........66
Industry Canada Class Bemission
compliance statement ........67
Avis de conformité àla réglementation
d’Industrie Canada.........67
European Union EMC Directive
conformance statement .......67
©Copyright Lenovo 2007 iii

EU-EMC Directive (2004/108/EC) EN
55022 class BStatement of Compliance ..68
Japanese VCCI Class Bstatement ....69
EU WEEE Statements .........69
Notice for users in the U.S.A. ......69
ENERGY STAR model information ....70
Trademarks ............73
Index ..............75
iv ThinkPad®X300 Service and Troubleshooting Guide

Read this first
Be sure to follow the important tips given here to continue to get the most use
and enjoyment out of your computer. Failure to do so might lead to
discomfort or injury, or cause your computer to fail.
Protect yourself from the heat that your computer generates.
When your computer is turned on or the battery is
charging, the base, the palm rest, and some other parts may
become hot.The temperature they reach depends on the
amount of system activity and the level of charge in the
battery.
Extended contact with your body, even through clothing,
could cause discomfort or even askin burn.
vAvoid keeping your hands, your lap, or any other part of
your body in contact with ahot section of the computer
for any extended time.
vPeriodically take breaks from using the keyboard by lifting
your hands from the palm rest.
Protect yourself from the heat generated by the AC adapter.
When the AC adapter is connected to an electrical outlet
and your computer, it generates heat.
Extended contact with your body, even through clothing,
may cause askin burn.
vDo not place the AC adapter in contact with any part of
your body while it is in use.
vNever use it to warm your body.
Prevent your computer from getting wet.
To avoid spills and the danger of electrical shock, keep
liquids away from your computer.
©Copyright Lenovo 2007 v

Protect the cables from being damaged.
Applying strong force to cables may damage or break them.
Route communication lines, or the cables of an AC
adapter, amouse, akeyboard, aprinter, or any other
electronic device, so that they cannot be walked on,
tripped over, pinched by your computer or other objects,
or in any way subjected to treatment that could interfere
with the operation of your computer.
Protect your computer and data when moving it.
Before moving acomputer equipped with ahard disk drive,
do one of the following, and make sure that the power
switch is not lit:
–Turn it off.
–Press Fn+F4 to put it in sleep (standby) mode.
–Press Fn+F12 to put it in hibernation mode.
This will help to prevent damage to the computer, and
possible loss of data.
Handle your computer gently.
Do not drop, bump, scratch, twist, hit, vibrate, push, or
place heavy objects on your computer, display, or external
devices.
Carry your computer carefully.
vUse aquality carrying case that provides adequate
cushioning and protection.
vDo not pack your computer in atightly packed suitcase
or bag.
vi ThinkPad®X300 Service and Troubleshooting Guide

Chapter 1. Finding information
This guide and other publications
helps you to unpack your ThinkPad®computer and get started. It includes a
few tips for first-time users.
provides information about caring for your ThinkPad computer, basic
troubleshooting information, some recovery procedures, help and service
information, and warranty information for your computer. The
troubleshooting information in this Guide applies only to problems that might
prevent you from accessing the comprehensive online manual, called Access
Help, preinstalled on your ThinkPad computer.
is acomprehensive online manual that provides answers to most of your
questions about your computer, helps you to configure preloaded features and
tools, or solve problems. To open Access Help,do either of the following:
vPress the ThinkVantage®button. Under Quick Links in the Productivity
Center (or Lenovo Care), click Access on-system help.
vClick Start,move the pointer to All Programs;then to ThinkVantage.Click
Access Help.
includes general safety instructions and complete Lenovo Limited Warranty.
Setup Instructions
This Service and Troubleshooting Guide
Access Help
Safety and Warranty Guide
©Copyright Lenovo 2007 1

supplements this Guide. Read it before you use the wireless features of your
ThinkPad computer. The ThinkPad computer complies with the radio
frequency and safety standards of any country or region in which it has been
approved for wireless use. You are requested to install and use your ThinkPad
computer in strict accordance with the local RF regulations.
Finding information with the ThinkVantage button
The blue ThinkVantage button can help you in many situations when your
computer is working normally, and even when it is not. Press the
ThinkVantage button to open the comprehensive help and information portal,
called Productivity Center (or Lenovo CareSM), and get access to informative
illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions for getting started and staying
productive.
You can also use the ThinkVantage button to interrupt the startup sequence of
your computer and start the Rescue and Recovery™workspace, which runs
independently of the Windows®operating system and is hidden from it. This
function may not be available on your solid state drive (SSD) model.
Regulatory Notice
2ThinkPad®X300 Service and Troubleshooting Guide

Chapter 2. Taking care of your ThinkPad computer
Though your computer is designed to function reliably in normal work
environments, you need to use common sense in handling it. By following
these important tips, you will get the most use and enjoyment out of your
computer.
For the most important instructions for using your computer, see “Read this
first” on page v.
Important tips
Be careful about where and how you work
vStore packing materials safely out of the reach of children to prevent the
risk of suffocation from plastic bags.
vKeep your computer away from magnets, activated cellular phones,
electrical appliances, or speakers (within 13 cm or 5″).
vAvoid subjecting your computer to extreme temperatures (below 5°C/41°F
or above 35°C/95°F).
vSome appliances, such as certain portable desktop fans or air purifiers, can
produce negative ions. If acomputer is close to such an appliance, and is
exposed for an extended time to air containing negative ions, it may
become electrostatically charged. Such acharge may be discharged through
your hands when you touch the keyboard or other parts of the computer,
or through connectors on I/O devices connected to it. Even though this
kind of electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the opposite of adischarge from
your body or clothing to the computer, it poses the same risk of acomputer
malfunction.
Your computer is designed and manufactured to minimize any effects of
electrostatic charge. An electrostatic charge above acertain limit, however,
can increase the risk of ESD. Therefore, when using the computer close to
an appliance that can produce negative ions, give special attention to the
following:
–Avoid directly exposing your computer to the air from an appliance that
can produce negative ions.
–Keep your computer and peripherals as far as possible from such an
appliance.
–Wherever possible, ground your computer to facilitate safe electrostatic
discharge.
©Copyright Lenovo 2007 3

Note: Not all such appliances cause asignificant electrostatic charge.
Be gentle with your computer
vAvoid placing any objects (including paper) between the display and the
keyboard or the palm rest.
vYour computer display is designed to be opened and used at an angle
slightly greater than 90 degrees. Do not open the display beyond 180
degrees, as this might damage the computer hinge.
vDo not turn your computer over while the AC adapter is plugged in. This
could break the adapter plug.
Register your computer
vRegister your ThinkPad products with Lenovo (visit the following Web site:
http://www.lenovo.com/register). This can help authorities return your
computer to you if it is lost or stolen. Registering your computer also
enables Lenovo to notify you about possible technical information and
upgrades.
Carry your computer properly
vBefore moving your computer, be sure to remove any media, turn off
attached devices, and disconnect cords and cables.
vWhen picking up your open computer, hold it by the bottom. Do not pick
up or hold your computer by the display.
Handle storage media and drives properly
vIf your computer comes with an optical drive:
–Do not touch the surface of adisc or the lens on the tray.
–Wait until you hear the CD or DVD click into the center pivot of an
optical drive before closing the tray.
–To remove adisc, pull out the drive tray until it stops. Insert your thumb
in the opening at the corner of the tray, so that you can easily pull up
the disc and remove it from the tray.
–The empty disc tray of the optical disc drive may not come out as
quickly as you expect when you press the eject button. But the delay is
normal. When no disc is in the optical drive, the drive is automatically
turned off to save energy. Then, when you press the eject button, it takes
alittle while to turn on the optical drive and pull out the disc tray. If
you need to pull out the tray immediately, press the eject button again.
4ThinkPad®X300 Service and Troubleshooting Guide

vWhen installing the HDD, SSD, or optical drive, follow the instructions
shipped with your hardware, and apply pressure only where needed on the
device.
vTurn off your computer if you are replacing the HDD or SSD.
vWhen replacing the primary HDD or SSD, reattach the cover of the drive
slot.
vStore your external and removable hard disk or optical drives in the
appropriate containers or packaging when they are not being used.
vBefore you install any of the following devices, touch ametal table or a
grounded metal object. This action reduces any static electricity from your
body. The static electricity could damage the device.
–Memory module
–PCI Expess Mini Card
Be sure not to modify your computer
vOnly an authorized ThinkPad repair technician should disassemble and
repair your computer.
vDo not modify or tape the latches to keep the display open or closed.
Take care in setting passwords
vRemember your passwords. If you forget asupervisor or hard disk
password, Lenovo authorized service provider will not reset it, and you
might have to replace your system board, or HDD or SSD.
Care for the fingerprint reader
The following actions could damage the fingerprint reader or cause it not to
work properly:
vScratching the surface of the reader with ahard, pointed object.
vScraping the surface of the reader with your nail or anything hard.
vUsing or touching the reader with adirty finger.
If you notice any of the following conditions, gently clean the surface of the
reader with adry, soft, lint-free cloth:
vThe surface of the reader is dirty or stained.
vThe surface of the reader is wet.
vThe reader often fails to enroll or authenticate your fingerprint.
Cleaning the cover of your computer
Occasionally clean your computer as follows:
1. Prepare amixture of agentle kitchen-use detergent (one that does not
contain abrasive powder or strong chemicals such as acid or alkaline). Use
5parts water to 1part detergent.
2. Absorb the diluted detergent into asponge.
Chapter 2. Taking care of your ThinkPad computer 5

3. Squeeze excess liquid from the sponge.
4. Wipe the cover with the sponge, using acircular motion and taking care
not to let any excess liquid drip.
5. Wipe the surface to remove the detergent.
6. Rinse the sponge with clean running water.
7. Wipe the cover with the clean sponge.
8. Wipe the surface again with adry, soft lint-free cloth.
9. Wait for the surface to dry completely and remove any cloth fibers from
the computer surface.
Cleaning your computer keyboard
1. Absorb some isopropyl rubbing alcohol on asoft, dust-free cloth.
2. Wipe each keytop surface with the cloth. Wipe the keys one by one; if you
wipe several keys at atime, the cloth may hook onto an adjacent key and
possibly damage it. Make sure that no liquid drips onto or between the
keys.
3. Allow to dry.
4. To remove any crumbs and dust from beneath the keys, you can use a
camera blower with abrush or cool air from ahair drier.
Note: Avoid spraying cleaner directly on the display or the keyboard.
Cleaning your computer display
1. Gently wipe the display with adry, soft lint-free cloth. If you see a
scratch-like mark on your display, it might be astain transferred from the
keyboard or the TrackPoint®pointing stick when the cover was pressed
from the outside.
2. Wipe or dust the stain gently with asoft, dry cloth.
3. If the stain remains, moisten asoft, lint-free cloth with water or a50-50
mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water that does not contain impurities.
4. Wring out as much of the liquid as you can.
5. Wipe the display again; do not let any liquid drip into the computer.
6. Be sure to dry the display before closing it.
6ThinkPad®X300 Service and Troubleshooting Guide

Chapter 3. Solving computer problems
Frequently asked questions
This section lists frequently asked questions and tells where you can find
detailed answers. For details about each publication included in the package
with the ThinkPad computer, see “This guide and other publications” on page
1.
What safety precautions should Ifollow when using my ThinkPad
computer?
See the separate Safety and Warranty Guide for detailed information
about safety.
How can Iprevent problems with my ThinkPad computer?
See “Read this first” on page v, and also Chapter 2, “Taking care of
your ThinkPad computer,” on page 3of this Guide. More tips can be
found in the following sections of Access Help:
vPreventing problems
vTroubleshooting
What are the main hardware features of my new ThinkPad computer?
See “About your computer” in Access Help.
Where can Ifind the detailed specifications for my ThinkPad computer?
See http://www.lenovo.com/think/support.
Ineed to upgrade adevice or Ineed to replace one of the following: the
HDD or SSD, the PCI Express Mini Card, memory, the keyboard, or the
palm rest.
See theAppendix B, “Customer Replaceable Units (CRUs) ,” on page
57 of this Guide for the list of Customer Replaceable Units and the
location of the instructions for removing or replacing components.
My computer is not operating properly.
See “Problem solving ”in Access Help.This guide describes methods
of troubleshooting for use when online Access Help is inaccessible.
Where are the recovery discs?
Your computer may have come with or without arecovery disc or
Windows disc depending on your model. For an explanation of the
alternative recovery methods offered by Lenovo, see “Restoring the
factory contents” on page 32 of this Guide.
Note: See Access Help if your system is running and Access Help is accessible. This chapter presents
information for use when Access Help is inaccessible.
©Copyright Lenovo 2007 7

How can Icontact the Customer Support Center?
See Chapter 6, “Getting help and service,” on page 47 of this Guide.
For the phone numbers of the Customer Support Center nearest to
you, see “Worldwide telephone list” on page 49.
Where can Ifind warranty information?
See the separate Safety and Warranty Guide for detailed warranty
information. For the warranty applicable to your computer, including
the warranty period and type of warranty service, see Appendix A,
“Warranty information,” on page 55.
Entering the BIOS Setup Utility
Your computer provides aprogram, called BIOS Setup Utility, that enables
you to select various setup parameters.
vConfig: Set the configuration of your computer.
vDate/Time: Set the date and time.
vSecurity: Set security features.
vStartup: Set the startup device.
vRestart: Restart the system.
vHDD diagnostic program: Run the diagnostic test of the HDD or SSD.
To enter the BIOS Setup Utility, do as follows:
1. To protect yourself against accidental loss of data, back up your data and
computer registry. For details, see “Basics” in Access Help.
2. Turn off the computer, and then turn it on again.
3. When the ThinkPad logo comes up, immediately press F1 to enter the
BIOS Setup Utility.
If you have set asupervisor password, the BIOS Setup Utility menu
appears after you enter the password. You can start the utility by pressing
Enter instead of entering the supervisor password; however, you cannot
change the parameters that are protected by the supervisor password. For
more information, see the on-board help.
4. Using the cursor keys, move to an item you want to change. When the
item you want is highlighted, press Enter. Asubmenu is displayed.
5. Change the items you wish to change. To change the value of an item, use
the F5 or F6 key. If the item has asubmenu, you can display it by pressing
Enter.
6. Press F3 or Esc to exit from the submenu. If you are in anested submenu,
press Esc repeatedly until you reach the BIOS Setup Utility menu.
Note: If you need to restore the settings to their original state as of the
time of purchase, press F9 key to load the default settings. You can also
select an option in the Restart submenu to load the default settings or
discard the changes.
8ThinkPad®X300 Service and Troubleshooting Guide

7. Select Restart;then press Enter. Move the cursor to the option you want
for restarting your computer; then press Enter. Your computer restarts.
Diagnosing problems
If you have aproblem with your computer, you can test it by using
PC-Doctor®for Windows.
To run PC-Doctor for Windows, do as follows:
1. Click Start.
2. Move the pointer to All Programs and then to PC-Doctor for Windows.
3. Click PC-Doctor for Windows.
For more information about PC-Doctor for Windows, see the Help for the
program.
Attention:
Running any tests can take up to several minutes or longer. Make
sure you have time to run the entire test; do not interrupt the test
while it is running.
When preparing to contact the Customer Support Center, be sure to print the
test log so that you can rapidly provide information to the help technician.
HDD Diagnostic program
If your hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD) is not operating
properly, you may be able to find the problem by running the HDD
diagnostic program in the BIOS Setup Utility.
To run the diagnostic program, do as follows:
1. Turn off the computer, and then turn it on again.
2. When the ThinkPad logo comes up, immediately press F1 to enter the
BIOS Setup Utility.
3. Using the cursor keys, select HDD diagnostic program and press Enter.
4. Using the cursor keys, select Main hard disk drive and press Enter. The
diagnostic program runs aread verification test and aspeed test of the
drive, and reports its findings.
5. If the diagnostic program returns any error messages, call the Customer
Support Center for service.
The diagnostic program may return one of the following error messages:
Chapter 3. Solving computer problems 9

vError code 0000: Read verification failed
vError code 0100: Speed test failed
vError code 0200: Controller Diag failed
6. If the diagnostic program returns no error message but you still have some
concerns:
vSee the instructions in the ″Problem solving″section in online Access
Help,and run the program for adiagnostic test of the hard disk drive.
vYou can download PC-Doctor for DOS for your computer from the
following Web site: http://www.lenovo.com/support/site.wss/
document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=tpad-matrix.
Diagnosing problems using PC-Doctor from the service partition
Note: This function may not be available on your solid state drive (SSD)
model.
By using PC-Doctor from the Rescue and Recovery workspace in the service
partition of the hard disk drive, you can diagnose your system without
starting up the operating system.
To run PC-Doctor, do as follows:
1. Turn off the computer, and then turn it on again.
2. When the ThinkPad logo comes up, immediately press the ThinkVantage
button. The Rescue and Recovery workspace opens.
3. Click Diagnose hardware.
For more information about PC-Doctor, see the Help for the program.
Troubleshooting
If you do not find your problem here, see Access Help.The following section
only describes problems that might prevent you from accessing this help
system.
Error messages
Note:
1. In the charts, xcan be any character.
2. The version of PC-Doctor referred to here is PC-Doctor for Windows.
Message Solution
0176: System
Security -The
System has been
tampered with.
This message is displayed if you remove the Security Chip and
reinstall it, or install anew one. To clear the error, enter the
BIOS Setup Utility. If this does not solve the problem, have the
computer serviced.
10 ThinkPad®X300 Service and Troubleshooting Guide

Message Solution
0182: Bad CRC2.
Enter BIOS Setup
and load Setup
defaults.
Checksum of the CRC2 setting in the EEPROM is not correct.
Press F1 to enter the BIOS Setup Utility. Press F9 and then
Enter to load the default setting. Press F10 and then Enter to
restart the system.
0185: Bad startup
sequence settings.
Enter BIOS Setup
and load Setup
defaults.
Checksum of the startup sequence setting in the EEPROM is
not correct. Press F1 to enter the BIOS Setup Utility. Press F9
and then Enter to load the default setting. Press F10 and then
Enter to restart the system.
0190: Critical
low-battery error
The computer turned off because the battery is low. Connect
the AC adapter to the computer and charge the battery, or
replace the battery with afully charged one.
0191: System
Security -Invalid
remote change
requested.
The system configuration change has failed. Confirm the
operation and try again. To clear the error, enter the BIOS
Setup Utility.
0199: System
Security -Security
password retry
count exceeded.
This message is displayed if you enter awrong supervisor
password more than three times. Confirm the supervisor
password and try again. To clear the error, enter the BIOS
Setup Utility.
01C8: More than one
modem devices are
found. Remove one
of them. Press <Esc>
to continue.
Remove one of the Modem Daughter Cards. Otherwise, press
Esc to ignore the warning message. If this does not solve the
problem, have the computer serviced.
01C9: More than one
Ethernet devices are
found. Remove one
of them. Press <Esc>
to continue.
Your ThinkPad computer has abuilt-in Ethernet feature, and
you cannot add another such feature by installing an Ethernet
device such as aMini-PCI Ethernet Card or an Ethernet
Daughter Card. If this error message is displayed, remove the
Ethernet device that you installed. Otherwise press Esc to
ignore the warning message. If this does not solve the problem,
have the computer serviced.
0200: Hard disk
error
The HDD or SSD is not working. Make sure that the HDD or
SSD is attached firmly. Run the BIOS Setup Utility; then make
sure the drive is not disabled in the Startup menu.
Chapter 3. Solving computer problems 11

Message Solution
021x: Keyboard error Make sure that there are no objects placed on the keyboard, or
if you have one, the external keyboard. Turn off the computer,
and turn off all attached devices. Turn on the computer first;
then turn on the attached devices.
If you still see the same error code, do the following:
If an external keyboard is connected, do the following:
vTurn off the computer and disconnect the external keyboard;
then turn on the computer. Make sure that the built-in
keyboard operates correctly. If it does, have the external
keyboard serviced.
vMake sure that the external keyboard is connected to the
correct connector.
Test the computer by using PC-Doctor.
vIf the computer stops during the test, have the computer
serviced.
0230: Shadow RAM
error
The shadow RAM failed. Test your computer’s memory with
PC-Doctor. If you added amemory module just before turning
the computer on, reinstall it. Then test the memory with
PC-Doctor.
0231: System RAM
error
The system RAM failed. Test your computer’s memory with
PC-Doctor. If you added amemory module just before turning
the computer on, reinstall it. Then test the memory with
PC-Doctor.
0232: Extended RAM
error
The extended RAM failed. Test your computer’s memory with
PC-Doctor. If you have increased memory just before turning
the computer on, reinstall it. Then test the memory with
PC-Doctor.
0250: System battery
error
The backup battery, which is used to preserve the
configuration information, such as the date and time, while the
computer is turned off, is depleted. Replace the battery and
run the BIOS Setup Utility to verify the configuration. If you
still have aproblem, have the computer serviced.
0251: System CMOS
checksum bad
The system CMOS might have been corrupted by an
application program. The computer uses the default settings.
Run the BIOS Setup Utility to reconfigure the settings. If you
still see the same error code, have the computer serviced.
0271: Date and time
error
Neither the date nor the time is set in the computer. Set the
date and time, using the BIOS Setup Utility.
12 ThinkPad®X300 Service and Troubleshooting Guide