IBM Thinkpad A21e 2000 Manual

							Indicator Meaning

3Drive in useGreen:Data is being read from or
written to the hard-disk drive,
the diskette drive, or the drive
in the Ultrabay 2000. When
this indicator is on, do not put
the computer into standby
mode or turn off the computer.
Note:Do not move the system while the
Green drive in use light is on. Sudden
physical shock could cause drive errors.

4Num lockGreen:The numeric keypad on the
keyboard is enabled. To enable
or disable the keypad, press
and hold theFnkey while
pressing theNumLkkey.

5Caps lockGreen:Caps Lock mode is enabled.
To enable or disable Caps
Lock mode, pressFn+Caps
Lockkey.

6Scroll lockGreen:Scroll Lock mode is enabled.
Arrow keys can be used as
screen-scroll function keys, but
not to move the cursor. To
enable or disable Scroll Lock
mode, pressFn+ScrLkkey.
Not all application programs
support this function.

7Power onGreen:This indicator stays lighted
whenever the computer is on.
If the power-on indicator is on
and the standby indicator is off,
the system is ready to use. If
both the power-on indicator
and the standby indicator are
on, you can use the computer
after it returns from the
standby mode and the standby
indicator goes off.Product overview
ThinkPad A21e37 
						

							FRU Tests
The following table shows the test for each FRU.
FRU Applicable test
System board 1.Diagnostics-->CPU/Coprocessor
2.Diagnostics-->Systemboard
PowerDiagnostics-->Other Devices-->IBM AC
Adapter,IBM Battery 1 (IBM Battery 2)
LCD unit 1.Diagnostics-->Video Adapter
2.Interactive Tests-->Video
Modem 1. Make sure the modem is set up correctly.
2. Replace the modem jack and the modem
card in turn, and run the following test in
Diagnostics-->Communication:
a. Lucent Modem (M2) Loopback
b. Lucent Modem (M2) Dialtone/DTM
c. Intel Modem Register
d. Intel Modem Loopback/DTMF
e. Intel SP Modem Register
f. Intel SP Modem Loopback/DTMF
g. 3Com MiniPCI Modem Test
h. 3Com MiniPCI Dialtone Test
Audio 1.Interactive Tests-->Internal Speaker
2.Interactive Tests-->Stereo Speaker
3.Diagnostics-->Other Devices-->Crystal
SoundFusion
™Test
Speaker 1.Interactive Tests-->Internal Speaker
2.Interactive Tests-->Stereo Speaker
PC Card slotsNote:The upper slot does not function and this
test is available only for the bottom
slot.Diagnostics-->Systemboard-->
PCMCIA,PCMCIA External Loop
Keyboard 1.Diagnostics-->Systemboard-->
Keyboard
2.Interactive Tests-->Keyboard
TrackPoint or
pointing deviceIf the TrackPoint does not work, check the
configuration in the ThinkPad Configuration
program. If the TrackPoint is disabled, select
Enableto enable it.
After you use the TrackPoint, the pointer may
drift on the screen for a short time. This drift
can occur when a slight, steady pressure is
applied to the TrackPoint pointer. This symptom
is not a hardware problem. If the pointer stops
after a short time, no service action is
necessary.
If enabling the TrackPoint does not correct the
problem, continue with the following:
vInteractive Tests-->Mouse
Hard-disk driveDiagnostics-->Fixed Disks
(continued)
Product overview
38ThinkPad A21e 
						

							FRU Applicable test
Diskette drive 1.Diagnostics-->Diskette Drives
2.Interactive Tests-->Diskette
CD-ROM or
DVD drive1.Diagnostics-->Other Devices-->
CD-ROM/DVD
2.Interactive Tests-->CD-ROM/DVD Test
Memory 1. If two DIMMs are installed, remove one of
them and runDiagnostics-->Memory
Test - Quick.
2. If the problem does not recur, return the
DIMM to its place, remove the other one,
and run the test again.
3. If the test does not detect the error, run
Diagnostics-->Memory Test - Full.
Fan 1. Turn on the computer and check the air
turbulence at the louver near the power
switch.
2. RunDiagnostics-->Other Devices-->
IBM Fan.Product overview
ThinkPad A21e39 
						

							Fn key combinations
The following table shows the function of each combination
ofFnwith a function key.
TheFnkey works independently from the operating
system.
Key combination Description
Fn+F1Reserved.
Fn+F2Reserved.
Fn+F3Turn off the LCD display, leaving the
screen blank. To turn the LCD display on
again, press any key or the TrackPoint
stick.
Fn+F4Turn standby mode on. To return to
normal operation, press the Fn key.
Fn+F5Reserved.
Fn+F6Reserved.
Fn+F7Switch between the LCD and an external
monitor.
Fn+F8Turn screen expansion on or off. (There is
no symbol on the key.)
Fn+F9Reserved.
Fn+F10Reserved.
Fn+F11Reserved.
Fn+F12Turn hibernation mode on.
Fn+PgUpTurn the ThinkLight on or off.
Fn+HomeThe LCD becomes brighter.
Fn+EndThe LCD becomes less bright.
Fn+InsertAudio volume becomes bigger.
Fn+DeleteAudio volume becomes smaller.
Fn+BackspaceMute.Product overview
40ThinkPad A21e 
						

							Symptom-to-FRU index
The symptom-to-FRU index in this section lists symptoms
and errors and their possible causes. The most likely
cause is listed first, in boldface type.
Note:Do the FRU replacement or other actions in the
sequence shown in the column headed“FRU or
action, in sequence.”If replacing a FRU does not
solve the problem, put the original part back in the
computer. Do not replace a nondefective FRU.
This index can also help you determine, during regular
servicing, what FRUs are likely to need to be replaced
next.
A numeric error is displayed for each error detected in
POST or system operation. In the displays,ncan be any
number.
If no numeric code is displayed, check the narrative
descriptions of symptoms. If the symptom is not described
there, go to“Intermittent problems”on page 46.
NoteFor an IBM device not supported by diagnostic
codes in the ThinkPad notebook computers, see the
manual for that device.
Numeric error codes
Symptom or error FRU or action, in sequence
0175
Bad CRC1, stop POST task—
The EEPROM checksum is not
correct.System board.
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.
(continued)
Symptom-to-FRU index
ThinkPad A21e41 
						

							Symptom or error FRU or action, in sequence
0190
Critical low battery error.1.Charge the battery pack.
2. Battery pack.
0200
Hard disk error—The hard
disk is not working.1.Reseat the hard-disk
drive.
2. Load Setup Defaults in IBM
BIOS Setup Utility.
3. Hard-disk drive.
4. System board.
021x
Stuck key—Keyboard error.Run interactive tests of the
keyboard and the auxiliary
input device.
0220
Monitor type error—Monitor
type does not match the one
specified in CMOS.Load Setup Defaults in IBM
BIOS Setup Utility.
0230
Shadow RAM error—The
shadow RAM failure at offset
nnnn.System board.
0231
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
and run IBM BIOS Setup
Utility to reset the time and
date.
0251
System CMOS checksum
bad—Default configuration
used.Replace the backup battery
and run IBM BIOS Setup
Utility to reset the time and
date.
0252
Password checksum bad—
The password is cleared.Reset the password by
running IBM BIOS Setup
Utility.
0260
System timer error.1.Replace the backup
battery and run IBM BIOS
Setup Utility to reset the
time and date.
2. System board.
0270
Real-time clock error.1.Replace the backup
battery and run IBM 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 IBM BIOS Setup Utility to
reset the time and date.
(continued)
Symptom-to-FRU index
42ThinkPad A21e 
						

							Symptom or error FRU or action, in sequence
0280
Previous boot incomplete—
Default configuration used.1.Load Setup Defaults in
IBM BIOS Setup Utility.
2. DIMM.
3. System board.
02B2
Incorrect drive A type.1.Diskette drive.
2. External FDD cable.
3. I/O card.
02F4
EISA CMOS not writable.1.Load Setup Defaults in
IBM BIOS Setup Utility.
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
stationSymptom-to-FRU index
ThinkPad A21e43 
						

							Error messages
Symptom or error FRU or action, in sequence
Device address conflict. 1.Load Setup Defaults in
IBM BIOS Setup Utility.
2. Backup battery.
3. System board.
Allocation error for device. 1.Load Setup Defaults in
IBM BIOS Setup Utility.
2. Backup battery.
3. System board.
Failing bits: nnnn. 1.DIMM.
2. System board.
Invalid system configuration
data.1.DIMM.
2. System board.
I/O device IRQ conflict. 1.Load Setup Defaults in
IBM BIOS Setup Utility.
2. Backup battery.
3. System board.
Operating system not found. 1. Check that the operating
system has no failure and is
installed correctly.
2.Enter IBM BIOS Setup
Utility and see whether
the hard-disk drive and
the diskette drive are
properly identified.
3. Reseat the hard-disk drive.
4. Reinstall the operating
system.
5. Diskette drive.
6. Hard-disk drive.
7. System board.
Hibernation error. 1.Restore the system
configuration to what it
was before the computer
entered hibernation mode.
2. If memory size has been
changed, re-create the
hibernation file.
Fan error.Fan.
Unsupported memory
configuration.Maximum memory size is 256
MB. Shut down the computer
and remove the extra
memory.Symptom-to-FRU index
44ThinkPad A21e 
						

							Beep symptoms
Symptom or error FRU or action, in sequence
One beep and a blank,
unreadable, or flashing LCD.1.Reseat the LCD
connector.
2. LCD assembly.
3. External CRT.
4. System board.
One long and two short beeps,
and a blank or unreadable
LCD.1.System board.
2. LCD assembly.
3. DIMM.
Two short beeps with error
codes.POST error. See“Numeric
error codes”on page 41.
Two short beeps with blank
screen.1.System board.
2. DIMM.
Three short beeps, pause,
three more short beeps, and
one short beep.1.DIMM.
2. System board
Only cursor appears.Reinstall operating system.
No beep symptoms
Symptom or error FRU or action, in sequence
No beep, power-on indicator
on, LCD blank, and no POST.1.Make sure that every
connector is connected
tightly and correctly.
2. DIMM.
3. System board.
No beep, power-on indicator
on, and LCD blank during
POST.1.Reseat DIMM.
2. System board.
No beep during POST, but
system runs correctly.Speaker.
The power-on password
prompt.A power-on password or a
supervisor password is set.
Type the password and press
Enter.
The hard-disk password
prompt.A hard-disk password is set.
Type the password and press
Enter.
The DOS full screen looks
smaller.Start the ThinkPad
Configuration program and set
theScreen expansion
function.Symptom-to-FRU index
ThinkPad A21e45 
						

							LCD-related symptoms
ImportantThe TFT LCD for the notebook computer contains
many thin-film transistors (TFTs). A small number of
dots that are missing, discolored, or always lighted
is characteristic of TFT LCD technology, but
excessive pixel problems can cause viewing
concerns. The LCD should be replaced if the
number of missing, discolored, or lighted dots in any
background is:
vSVGA:5 or more bright dots, 5 or more dark
dots, or a total of 9 or more bright and dark dots.
vXGA:8 or more bright dots, 8 or more dark dots,
or a total of 9 or more bright and dark dots.
Note:Bright dots means pixel is always on (white
or color.) Dark dots means pixel is always off
(black color.)
Symptom or error FRU or action, in sequence
No beep, power-on indicator
on, and a blank LCD during
POST.System board.
vLCD backlight not working.
vLCD too dark.
vLCD brightness cannot be
adjusted.
vLCD contrast cannot be
adjusted.1.Reseat the LCD
connectors.
2. LCD assembly.
3. System board.
vLCD screen unreadable.
vCharacters missing pixels.
vScreen abnormal.
vWrong color displayed.1.See important note for
“LCD-related symptoms”.
2. Reseat all LCD connectors.
3. LCD assembly.
4. System board.
Horizontal or vertical lines
displayed on LCD.LCD assembly.
Intermittent problems
Intermittent system hang problems can be due to a variety
of causes that have nothing to do with a hardware defect,
such as cosmic radiation, electrostatic discharge, or
software errors. FRU replacement should be considered
only when a problem recurs.
When analyzing an intermittent problem, do the following:
1. Run the diagnostic test for the system board in loop
modeat least 10 times.
2. If no error is detected, donotreplace any FRUs.
Symptom-to-FRU index
46ThinkPad A21e