my friend just pass me a ibm thinkpad laptop which according to her, she can't get it boot up using the correct password. so, i tried taking out the bios battery to reset its default setting. but i get these error code when i replaced the battery.

error : 00161/00163/00301

according to what i've found in ibm's website, it means the bios battery is dead :-

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-4BAHK2

what puzzled me was, on normal self-built pc, i'll be able to continue boot up pressing F1. but this ibm laptop just refused to boot even when i click on "restart" of the error code screen's option. is this normal? am i right to say if i just replace a new battery, it'll be able to boot up?

note : i don't have much experience on ibm computer, any suggestion are welcome....thanks.

I don't know whether that chart (page) you posted is correct or not---it's for an Intellistation

You need to post the model no. of the Thinkpad, as well as the "type" no. which is normally next to the bar code on the bottom black label.

Then, go to support and download the user and hardware manuals.

Opss...never notice that's for the "intellistation". i'll do more research....

anyway, here we go :

model : Think Pad 600E
type : 2645 - 3AU

thanks

It sounds like you put the battery back in upside down, or connected it backwards - the bios will behave as if the battery is dead in that case.
The bios user settings are lost when you remove the battery - once the battery is replaced correctly, you have to go into the bios and at least set the date, save settings, reboot, then the computer should boot as it did before. You can re-set the time and date in either the bios or in Windows.

"what puzzled me was, on normal self-built pc, i'll be able to continue boot up pressing F1"

That applies generally to a desktop or tower computer; it often depends on settings in the bios (whether to halt on errors or not); it doesn't necessarily apply to a laptop.

Think Pad 600E
type : 2645 - 3AU

Actually that's Type 2645 - Model 3AU

Hardware Maintenance Manual (June 1999) - ThinkPad 600

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=LWIK-3SYPX2

Passwords - see starting page 30 of the pdf. You can't remove passwords by removing the bios battery. She's going to have to figure out what she is doing wrong. Caps key on/off? Upper/lower case in the password?

User guides and Manuals:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?doctypeind=8&template=%2Fproductselection%2Flandingpages%2FonlinePublicationsLandingPage.vm&sitestyle=lenovo

You need to download the user and the maintenance manuals and read through them--Thinkpads have something like THREE password options. I don't use any of them. Pulling out the battery does not clear them.

If you are unaware, Thinkpads have a unique way of entering the bios (easy setup) program. Start with the machine OFF,

Press AND HOLD "F1"

CONTINUE to HOLD "F1" and turn the machine ON, WHILD CONTINUING to hold "F1"

I WOULD NOT advise a novice at soldering to try soldering leads to a common bios battery. First, these are stainless or plated and can be difficult to solder. Second, the heat generated CAN cause battery explosion, or at the very least, damage the battery and shorten it's life.

There are a ton of places on the ol' internet to order proper Thinkpad bios batteries.

I have two 600X's and these are not bad old laptops.

in this case, could it be the dead bios battery causing the bios not recognise the correct password?

thanks.

p.s : i'm very sure that the bios battery is attached correctly.

"in this case, could it be the dead bios battery causing the bios not recognise the correct password? "

No. The passwords are not stored in the cmos part of the bios - they are stored on a separate chip that doesn't need battery power to retain the information.

"p.s : i'm very sure that the bios battery is attached correctly."

If you're still getting the 161 code, either the battery is dead, in which case you would have gotten the error before you took out the battery, or you have connected it or inserted it backwards, or if it is inserted in a socket the contacts are not making proper contact, due to them being corroded, or being bent so they are not making proper contact.

I am having the same problem. 00161 00163 errors. I have purchased a new battery and fitted the correct way up. ( if you buy the right one it only fit's one way) and i have tried the BIOS reset pads and the unsuccessful F1 trick.. HELP !!!!!

There's not much I can suggest that hasn't already been said.

I took another look at the error code list litz pointed to:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-4BAHK2

Error code 161 - Run bios Setup, dead cmos battery (or poor connection to cmos battery), or bad system board

Neither you nor litz has mentioned what type of cmos battery you have - if it is coin shaped with no wire leads, it is very easy to insert it upside down; if it has wires and a connector, it may or may not be easy to connect it backwards, depending on the design of the connector.
If it is a coin cell, any corrosion on the contacts in the socket it goes into may be on the underside of the contacts and hard to see - you may need to use a tiny mirror, such as like a dentist uses, in order to see the corrosion and clean it off.

Error code 163 - Clock not updating or invalid time set - usually you get that if the Date and Time are at defaults in the bios - you must reset the date and time in the bios Setup after replacing the cmos battery, or after fixing its connection problems.

Error code 301 - bad keyboard cable, keyboard, or system board

If you are also getting that error -

This no one has suggested before - your keyboard or it's connection could be no good. Check the keyboard for keys that are stuck (always engaged). You could try checking the cable, or disconnecting the cable and connecting an external keyboard to your PS/2 port - most laptops have a single dual purpose PS/2 port that will work with either a keyboard or a mouse - if you need to use both, you can get PS/2 Y cords that allow you to connect both a mouse and a keyboard.

If you have the same model, see the links in response 3 for info about those things.
If you don't have the same model, look at/get the proper Maintenance manual from the IBM website.

In order to truly clear your cmos, you may have to also disconnect your main battery, and unplug your ac adapter while waiting for it to clear.

I had the same problem. Replaced the CMOS battery and I would still get codes 161 and 163. This was the first time it actually asked me for a password to get to the BIOS screen. Usually it was pretty straight up, replace the battery and it would boot. I searched high and low online to see what I can do because I had no idea what the password could possibly be. I then figured I would try some default passwords based upon a shipping system we have at work, like to service the machine, the password was "service" and to change supervisor settings , the password was "super". I tried "super" and what do you know! It said "OK", this was the default password!
I set the time and date and my thinkpad has been working fine ever since. I know this might be a longshot but since it worked for me, it wouldn't hurt to try. :-)