Hi,

I’m pretty desperate here so I’d REALLY appreciate if anyone could help me!

I bought a few weeks ago an used IBM ThinkPad 2655 (A22e) in a vey good condition (barely used) which came with Windows 2000 Professional, and I thought still was under guaranty (but last night I found out with horror that it had expired a few months ago!).
Everything was working great and I was SO happy having my first TP which I really need for studying.
I partitioned it, installed Suse 8.1 and have been using it everyday with no problems at all, that is up to last night when I was on Linux coding some HTML with JavaScripts when suddenly everything froze! (something I’d only experienced under Windows before)

There was no way to ‘kill’ anything or restart the computer (and it started making a funny noise) so I turned it off and on again but then it wouldn’t get past the first screen (one saying to “Press F1 to enter IBM BIOS Setup Utility” or F12 for boot device).

It just won’t even ask for my hardware & bios password much less get into the selection between Linux and Windows!

I tried several times getting into BIOS but all I got were the following error messages:
ERROR 0271 – check date and time settings
ERROR 0188 – Invalid RFID Serialization Information Area or Bad CRC2

Then after a couple of tries it changed to:
ERROR 0270 – Real time clock error
ERROR 0251 – System CMOS Checksum bad-Default Configurations used
ERROR 0188 – Invalid RFID Serialization Information Area or Bad CRC2

I really do not know what happened, if something suddenly melted in there (the TP does feel a bit hot) and it died (which CAN’T happen!!!),
or if stupidly something was changed and there IS hope, that all I need is reconfigure something in BIOS or something so I can boot again!

I checked the “Numeric error codes” with the numbers above and most of them say something needs to be reconfigured in Setup (like the date and time which might have been changed recently but not right before I was studying last night!)
but HOW can I do that if I can’t get into any sort of Setup or in BIOS??!!

Something weird is that when I try starting it with it plugged to electricity sometimes not even the F1 or F12 screen shows up, it just makes noise and the screen stays black, but then I try with it unplugged (battery’s full) and there comes this first IBM screen, it blinks a while and either nothing happens and it stays frozen on it, or it goes all black or the 0270, 0251 and 0188 error messages show up,
all the time I turn it on the board (or something) inside is making a super WEIRD NOISE like a cd being skipped (there’s no CD in the CD-ROM).

Under 0188 I read that I’d need to “Replace the planar” / “Box serial number needs to be reinstalled” if that’s the case how can I do that??!

Does anyone have any idea of what’s wrong, what can I do, if there’s any hope!!!!!!?

Thank you so much for any help, I’m really desperate!

Chris :-~(

Chris, not sure how far you'v gotten with this since posting it. It sounds like a possible bad HD. I support a corporate environment of about 75 TP-T2+ models, as well as TP600s. Many times I'v seen HDs on these machines die within a few months, most of those are made by toshiba.
However, IBM does have a great technical support website, that provides almost everything you need to figure out and or resolve your Thinkpad problems (although having Linux may slow things up abit) Start by search for the Thinkpad PC Diag tools, I believe you can find them here:

http://www-1.ibm.com/support/all_download_drivers.html

Your Model TP (A20) Type is 2628, enter that in the product box, click submit, and PgDwn several pages until you find the PC Diagnostic tools..

I can tell ya from experiance, that the Thinkpad models I support run great with Windows 2k/XP installed. However, before installing any OS on them, I always apply the lates Bios updates, install the OS, then download and install ALL of the appropraite driver updates from IBM, then apply any MS pacthes. they Run like tanks! 9 times outta 10, when there is a problem, its hardware related (worn out or failed)

I have also seen several hard drive patches posted for your A20- (on IBM's website) If you'v lost the drive (you'll be able to tell by running the IBM PC Diagnostics, bootable diskettes) you might be able to check for warrenty info on the Hard drive manufacturer (Travelstars are IBM drives)

-d

I am having the exact problem Chris descibed, right down to the strange noises. An IBM repair center in Barcelona gave me a quote of 800 Euros tp fix the problem - more than what I paid for my Thinkpad new. If anyone could offer aome advice, I´d greatly appreciate it.

I was able to fix this problem on an IBM ThinkPad A21e 2628
I was getting the 0271: Checkdate & Time Settings and 0188.b:bad CRC2 errors.

To resolve the issue I installed an older BIOS. I had version 1.13 installed and I installed 1.12, but there is a trick to booting the BIOS - You have to use the temporary boot device menu.

Here are the steps I took fix it... You can just follow the bold parts or read the detail to find out how I came to my conclusion.

1. Download an older or new BIOS from IBM. (When I attempted to install 1.13 again, the same BIOS version that was already installed, I received a message telling me that I did no need to upgrade the BIOS. When I tried to install the 1.12 BIOS I was asked if I was sure that I wanted to put an older BIOS on the machine. I answered YES

2. Run the BIOS executable and create a BIOS upgrade diskette. If you look on the diskette you will notice that it doesn't have an autoexec.bat file. The BIOS on you machine looks specifically for a BIOS file and doesn't attempt to prepare to boot an OS. This way you are avoiding the error message screen.

3. Put the BIOS upgrade diskette in the diskette drive and reboot.

4. At the IBM Boot display screen you should see the message - F12 "to choose temporary boot device" Press F12 at the boot screen to select the temporary boot device.

5. At the boot menu choose "Removable Devices" and press enter This will boot the BIOS diskette. Again, make sure the BIOS on the diskette is not the same version on the BIOS that's already on the machine. I attempted to installed BIOS 1.13 on my ThinkPad that had BIOS 1.13 already installed and the software told me there was no reason to update the bios and exited me out of the bios update software. On my next attempt I used BIOS 1.12 and the software asked if I was sure that I wanted to down grade the BIOS. I answered yes and down graded from 1.13 to 1.12. After a successful install of the new BIOS, the machine booted right up without the CRC error.

I hope this works out for you.

Hank

Hello,
I'm facing also the same problem on my IBM THINKPAD laptop
It says while I try to go to window/ BIOS Setup/ temporary boot device:

ERROR 0271 – check date and time settings
ERROR 0188 – Invalid RFID Serialization Information Area or Bad CRC2


I tried to upgrade the BIOS but when I try to go to TEMPORARY BOOT by click F12 after a while again the same message come on the screen

PLEASE HELP

I was prepared to flash the bios as above. As I did not know what version was installed, I downloaded and made floppys for both 1.12 and 1.13. I tried the 1.13 first and did the f12 thing at startup--this gave me access to the setup menu--so I just set the date and time and went with defaults for setup--WORKS!!!!!

Could be as simple as making sure the floppy is in when starting the computer. I've noticed that the F1--F12 options don't appear when restarting, but do from a cold start--so shut it down completelyand let it sit for a few seconds--start it up.

Good Luck

I was prepared to flash the bios as above. As I did not know what version was installed, I downloaded and made floppys for both 1.12 and 1.13. I tried the 1.13 first and did the f12 thing at startup--this gave me access to the setup menu--so I just set the date and time and went with defaults for setup--WORKS!!!!!

Could be as simple as making sure the floppy is in when starting the computer. I've noticed that the F1--F12 options don't appear when restarting, but do from a cold start--so shut it down completelyand let it sit for a few seconds--start it up.

Good Luck

Hello
I am IT engineer
I have 20 years experieta electronic repairs laptops
Can I fix this defect
"ERROR 0188 - Invalid RFID Serialization Information Area or Bad CRC2"

I fixed a lot of IBM laptops
with Track error
ERROR 0188 - Invalid RFID Serialization Information Area or Bad CRC2

For those who want to send my laptops to fix them
will often provide my e-mail
professional_service2003@yahoo.com
A price estimate for repairing the defect "ERROR 0188 - Invalid RFID Serialization Information Area or Bad CRC2" on all models of IBM laptop
price would be between $ 50 and $ 100.
Warranty offer and bill for services rendered advanced electronic micro!

Tel: 004723728904
E-mai: professional_service@yahoo.com

Repairs and other problems of laptops:

Repair HDDs SSD's storage environments, Data Recovery.
Rewrites backup Appointments Update: Replacement Bios's, little, LPC, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Firmware & Flash, CMOS Links - Service PC (Hardware & Soft) maintenance ...
SERVICE: Monitor, TFT-LCD, Laptops, PC Systems, ATX, Motherboards, equipment: TV, Audio Video
Rewrites schedule update: replacement BIOS's, little, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash, CMOS sites
- Repair MONITORS, CRT, TFT-LCD PC systems, ATX, motherboard, PSU's, HDD Repair's & Laptops, Printers & Accessories.
- Service REPAIRS digital cameras, video cameras! IPod, Data Recovery (HDDs repair sticks and other storage media)


DATA RECOVERY (Advance Data Recovery Service) Disaster Recovery
- Works in technology S.M.D. ! (Micro electro Advanced)
Repairs: HDDs, memory cards, USB stick: For the purpose of data recovery!
- Recover data from hard drives caused by defects:
- Damages logical or physical failure ELECTRONIC!
- Accidental deletion of data - the virus attacks,
- Formatting accidentally (it happens) - accidental deletion of partitions, - partitioning failed,
- INFIFERENT DATA RECOVERY OF ENVIRONMENT STOACARE or damaged!
Memory Stick Compact Flash Cards, Recovery Image Recovery: XD Memory Card, Digital Card (SD), Micro Drive, Damaged or defective CD-R, CD-RW, DVD data recovery.

Hello
I am IT engineer
I have 20 years experieta electronic repairs laptops
Can I fix this defect
"ERROR 0188 - Invalid RFID Serialization Information Area or Bad CRC2"

I fixed a lot of IBM laptops
with Track error
ERROR 0188 - Invalid RFID Serialization Information Area or Bad CRC2

For those who want to send my laptops to fix them
will often provide my e-mail
professional_service2003@yahoo.com
A price estimate for repairing the defect "ERROR 0188 - Invalid RFID Serialization Information Area or Bad CRC2" on all models of IBM laptop
price would be between $ 50 and $ 100.
Warranty offer and bill for services rendered advanced electronic micro!

Tel: 004723728904
E-mai: professional_service@yahoo.com

Repairs and other problems of laptops:

Repair HDDs SSD's storage environments, Data Recovery.
Rewrites backup Appointments Update: Replacement Bios's, little, LPC, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Firmware & Flash, CMOS Links - Service PC (Hardware & Soft) maintenance ...
SERVICE: Monitor, TFT-LCD, Laptops, PC Systems, ATX, Motherboards, equipment: TV, Audio Video
Rewrites schedule update: replacement BIOS's, little, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash, CMOS sites
- Repair MONITORS, CRT, TFT-LCD PC systems, ATX, motherboard, PSU's, HDD Repair's & Laptops, Printers & Accessories.
- Service REPAIRS digital cameras, video cameras! IPod, Data Recovery (HDDs repair sticks and other storage media)


DATA RECOVERY (Advance Data Recovery Service) Disaster Recovery
- Works in technology S.M.D. ! (Micro electro Advanced)
Repairs: HDDs, memory cards, USB stick: For the purpose of data recovery!
- Recover data from hard drives caused by defects:
- Damages logical or physical failure ELECTRONIC!
- Accidental deletion of data - the virus attacks,
- Formatting accidentally (it happens) - accidental deletion of partitions, - partitioning failed,
- INFIFERENT DATA RECOVERY OF ENVIRONMENT STOACARE or damaged!
Memory Stick Compact Flash Cards, Recovery Image Recovery: XD Memory Card, Digital Card (SD), Micro Drive, Damaged or defective CD-R, CD-RW, DVD data recovery.


Error code
Symptom or error

Field replaceable unit or action, in sequence
0175 Bad CRC1, stop POST task. The EEPROM checksum is not correct.

System board
0176 System Security. The system has been tampered with.

1. Run BIOS Setup Utility. Then save current setting by pressing F10.
2. System board

0177 Bad SVP data. Stop POST task. System board
0182 Bad CRC2. Enter BIOS Setup and Load Setup Defaults. Run the BIOS Setup Utility and Load Setup Defaults
0185 Bad startup sequence settings. Enter BIOS Setup and Load Setup Defaults. Run the BIOS Setup Utility and Load Setup Defaults
0187 EAIA data access error. The access to EEPROM has failed.

System board
0188 Invalid RFID serialization information area or bad CRC2. The EEPROM checksum is not correct.

System board
0189 Invalid RFID configuration information area. The EEPROM checksum is not correct.

System board
0190 Critical low battery error

1. Charge the battery pack
2. Battery pack

0191 System Security. Invalid Remote Change requested.

1. Run BIOS Setup Utility. Then save current setting by pressing F10.
2. System board

0192 System Security. Embedded Security hardware tamper detected. System board
0195 Security hardware tamper detected

1. Enter BIOS Setup Utility by entering supervisor password. Then select Config, select Security chip, and then select Clear Security chip to clear this error.
2. Security chip
3. System board

0196 Security hardware removed

1. Enter BIOS Setup Utility by entering supervisor password. Then select Config, select Security chip, and then select Clear Security chip to clear this error.
2. Security chip
3. System board

0197 Invalid Remote change requested The remote configuration for the security chip has failed. Confirm the operation and try again.
0199 System Security. Security password retry count exceeded.

1. Run BIOS Setup Utility. Then save current setting by pressing F10.
2. System board

01C8

More than one modem devices are found. Remove one of them. Press Esc to continue.


1. Remove either a Mini PCI modem card or a modem daughter card; otherwise press Esc to ignore the warning message.
2. System board

01C9 More than one Ethernet devices are found. Remove one of them. Press the Esc key to continue.

1. Remove either a Mini PCI Ethernet card or an Ethernet daughter card, other wise press the Esc key to ignore the warning message.
2. System board

01CA More than one Wireless LAN devices are found. Remove one of them.

1. Remove the wireless LAN device that you installed.
2. System board

0200 Hard drive error. The hard drive is not working.

1. Remove and reinstall the hard drive
2. Run the BIOS Setup Utility and Load Setup Defaults
3. Hard drive
4. System board

021x Keyboard error

Run an interactive tests of the keyboard and the auxiliary input device
0220 Monitor type error. Monitor type does not match the one specified in CMOS.

Run the BIOS Setup Utility and Load Setup Defaults
0230 Shadow RAM error. The shadow RAM failure at offset nnnn.

System board
0231 System RAM error. System RAM failure at offset nnnn.

1. DIMM
2. System board

0232 Extended RAM error. Extended RAM failure at offset nnnn.

1. DIMM
2. System board

0250 System battery error. System battery is dead.

Replace the backup battery. Then run BIOS Setup Utility to reset the time and date.
0251 System CMOS checksum bad. Default configuration used.

Replace the backup battery. Then run BIOS Setup Utility to reset the time and date.
0252 Password checksum bad. The password is cleared.

Reset the password by running BIOS Setup Utility
0260 System timer error

1. Replace the backup battery. Then run BIOS Setup Utility to reset the time and date.
2. System board

0270 Real time clock error

1. Replace the backup battery. Then run BIOS Setup Utility to reset the time and date.
2. System board

0271 Date and time error. Neither the date nor the time is set in the computer.

Run BIOS Setup Utility to reset the time and date
0280 Previous boot incomplete. Default configuration used.

1. Run the BIOS Setup Utility and Load Setup Defaults
2. DIMM
3. System board

02B2 Incorrect drive A type

1. Diskette drive
2. External FDD cable
3. I/O card

02D0 System cache error

CPU
02F0 CPU ID:xx Failed

1. CPU.
2. System board.

02F4 EISA CMOS not writable

1. Run the BIOS Setup Utility and Load Setup Defaults
2. Replace the backup battery
3. System board

02F5 DIMM test failure

1. DIMM
2. System board

02F6 Software NMI failure

1. DIMM
2. System board

02F7 Fail-safe timer NMI failure

1. DIMM
2. System board

1801 Attached docking station is not supported Shut down the computer and remove it from the docking station
1802 Unauthorized network card is plugged in. Power off and remove the Mini PCI network card.

1. Remove Mini PCI network card
2. System board

1803 Unauthorized daughter card is plugged in. Power off and remove the daughter card.

1. Remove the daughter card that you installed
2. System board

1804 Unauthorized WAN card is plugged in. Power off and remove the WAN card.

1. Remove the WAN card that you installed
2. System board

1805 Unauthorized Wireless USB card is plugged in—Power off and remove the Wireless USB card.

1. Remove the Wireless USB card that you installed.
2. System board.

1810 Hard drive partition layout error

1. If the Access IBM Predesktop Area has been previously disabled, go the the BIOS Setup Utility by pressing F1 to open the BIOS Setup Utility. Select Security, select Predesktop Area, and then select Access IBM Predesktop Area. Set this item to Disabled. Save and exit.
2. If the Access IBM Predesktop Area has not been previously disabled, press Enter to load Access IBM Predesktop Area. Then run RECOVER TO FACTORY CONTENTS in Access IBM Predesktop Area.
3. If item 2 failed, press F3 in welcome screen in RECOVER TO FACTORY CONTENTS. Run FDISK, and then delete all partitions. Run RECOVER TO FACTORY CONTENTS in Access IBM Predesktop Area again.
4. If item 3 failed, select CD-ROM boot in Startup in Access IBM Predesktop Area. Boot from Recovery CD and perform full recovery from it.
5. If item 4 failed, replace the hard drive.

1820 More than one external fingerprint reader is attached. Power off and remove all but the reader that you set up within your main operating system. Remove all but the reader that you set up for the authentication
1830 Invalid memory configuration - Power off and install a memory module to Slot-0 or the lower slot. Install DIMM in Slot-0, but not in Slot-1.
2000 Hard Drive Active Protection sensor diagnostics failed. Press Esc to continue. Press F1 to enter SETUP.

1. Undock docking station or port replicator if it is attached to the ThinkPad computer, and place the computer on a horizontal surface. Do not apply any physical shock to the computer.
2. Run Diagnostics, select Other Devices then select Hard Drive Active Protection Test.

2010 Warning: Your internal hard drive (HD) may not function correctly on this system. Ensure that your HD is supported on this system and that the latest HD firmware is installed.

If in the primary bay the customer is using a non-IBM, non-Lenovo hard drive, or an old generation IBM hard drive which is not supported by this system, with the risk in mind, the customer can still use it by pressing ESC.

If in the primary drive bay the customer is using a supported IBM or Lenovo hard drive with an old firmware, then update its firmware to the latest.
2100 Initialization error on HDD0 (Main hard drive)

1. Reseat the hard drive
2. Main hard drive
3. System board

2102 Initialization error on HDD1 (Ultrabay hard drive)

1. Reseat the hard drive
2. Ultrabay hard drive
3. System board

2110 Read error on HDD0 (Main hard drive)

1. Reseat the hard drive
2. Main hard drive
3. System board

2112 Read error on HDD1 (Ultrabay hard drive)

1. Reseat the hard drive
2. Ultrabay hard drive
3. System board



Fix laptops ibm
defective software or electronic
fix laptop motherboards

I'm just getting into the IT field, getting my Cisco CCNA and Network Administrator.
I am also working on getting my A+ Cert....

My last job before I moved and started school again full time was as a help desk technician. Our techs had laptops in the field, with many using Thinkpads...

Yes, they are getting older now...but they are fairly robust, and have hung in there MUCH BETTER than any of the Acers or Dells!!

I have seen your issue before. I replaced the CMOS battery, and tada! Problem fixed!
Just a suggestion...
They are not hard to replace.
There is a panel on the underside. The CMOS battery is shrinkwrapped in yellow, and is affixed to a plastic frame. The frame assist in securing the battery, and in tucking the connector into the socket up out of sight. Just make sure you look at the old battery and wire orientation before removing/replacing the new battery.

My brother you are dull roar
You're the worst man I've ever vaut a date!
And you say you work in IT
I am engineer and work in microelectronics have advanced 5 years of working in a motherboard factory in Japan!
And I say that if the problem was so simple I do not gave notice on the site as I fix them!
This problem is repaired only by replacing the integrated and rewriting others!
In other words, you need a laboratory for highly advanced electronic micro!
I fix laptops IBM engineer in a laboratory having experience in troubleshooting equipment and electronic documentation of laptops!
We have more than 20 years of experience in advanced troubleshooting of computers and laptops and other IT hardware! the highest level!
Are companies authorized in an irregular
We bill and certificate of warranty for repairs!

You're not anything other something as stupid an amateur in comparison with our laboratory service authorized Warranty!

So you say you leave the job you're all parallel!

Uh, first, this is a forum to offer suggestions..I don't believe the rules of conduct allow for commercialized solicitation which you have offerred...

Second..I struggle to understand your verbage.

Third, I seem to understand that you have attacked me...I think..it was confusing...but I will file a grievance.

Before you go ranting and raving about being this engineer, or that...the one thing I learned from A+ was to try the simple things first! His error codes indicated that he needed to set the date and time. The man said that when he set the date and time, the problem went away! If the computer is losing it's date and time, it's BIOS battery is obviously going bad. SIMPLE FIX: REPLACE BATTERY! No need to send it to you at $100-$200 for shipping and costs...

Holy cow...relax! It was just a suggestion to try first!