ThinkWiki - User contributions [en]

Known Problems

2006-12-20T00:30:09Z

Mcdavis42:

{| width="100%"
|style="vertical-align:top;padding-right:20px;width:10px;white-space:nowrap;" | __TOC__
|style="vertical-align:top" |
Information on known problems with certain ThinkPad models.
|}
==Display Problems==
*[[Problem with unusable console | Console unusable]] <tt>(models with savage video chipset: T2x, A22e)</tt>
*[[Problem with Pixel Error | Dead pixels on TFT displays]] <tt>(all models)</tt>
*[[Problem with DVI throughput | DVI throughput on port replicators and docks]] <tt>(models from 2000-2004)</tt>
*[[Problems with fglrx | fglrx problems]] <tt>(ATI Radeon models)</tt>
*[[Problem with garbled screen | Garbled Screen]] <tt>(T40, T41, T42, R40, R50p, A30, A31, A31p)</tt>
*[[Problem with broken inverter | Inverter broken]] <tt>(all models)</tt>
*[[Problem with key and trackpoint markings on the display | Key and Trackpoint markings on display]]
*[https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=2187 Radeon 7500 "DynamicClocks" randomly hangs] <tt>(TP T4x, Xorg-X11 bug report)</tt>
*[[Problem with red display shadow | Red shadow on display]] <tt>(TP T41p)</tt>
*[[Problem with red tinted display | Red tinted display]] <tt>(TP 23)</tt>
*[[Problem with black X | Unmovable square black X in X]] <tt>(TP T2x)</tt>
*[[Problem with video related system lockup | System Lockups related to video adapter]] <tt>(TP T2x)</tt>
*[[Problem with video related system lockup II | System Lockups related to video adapter T42]] <tt>(TP T42, T42p)</tt>
*[[Problem with ati driver in xorg 6.9.x | System lockup soon after starting xorg 6.9.x ]] <tt>(TP T4x)</tt>
*[[Problem with video output switching | Video output switching]]

==Harddisk Drive related Problems==
*[[Problem with APS harddisk parking|APS harddisk parking]] <tt>(models featuring APS)</tt>
*[[Problem with too large harddrive|BIOS hangs with harddrive sized over 8G]] <tt>(560)</tt>
*[[Problem with hard drive clicking | Clicking Hard Drive]] <tt>(models with Hitachi's 5k80 hard drive)</tt>
*[[Problem with non-ThinkPad hard disks|Non-ThinkPad hard disks]] <tt>(T43, X41, R52)</tt>
*[[Problems with SATA and Linux|SATA and Linux]] <tt>(T43, X41, R52, Z60)</tt>

==Network Problems==
*[[Problem with 3Com 10/100 Ethernet card not being recognized|3Com 10/100 Ethernet card not recognized]] <tt>(models with that card)</tt>
*[[Problem with unauthorized MiniPCI network card|"Unauthorized" MiniPCI Wireless Network card error (Error 1802)]] <tt>(Recent TPs)</tt>
*[[Cisco Aironet Wireless 802.11b]] fails to work with certain firmware versions
*[[Problem with error 01C9 - More than one Ethernet devices | Error 01C9: More than one Ethernet Devices are found (Atheros WLAN MiniPCI)]] <tt>(T23, T30, A31p, R40 and others)</tt>
*[[Problem with e1000: EEPROM Checksum Is Not Valid]] <tt>(T60, X60, may be others)</tt>

==Power Management, AC-adapter or Battery Problems==
*[[Problem with ThinkPad 600 batteries | 600 series Battery dying prematurely]] <tt>(TP 600/E/X)</tt>
*[[Damage in 56W AC-Adapter, plastic housing melted |AC-Adapter damaged, plastic housing melted]] <tt>(240, 390, i and s models)</tt>
*[[Problems with ACPI suspend-to-ram|ACPI suspend-to-ram]] <tt>(ACPI sleep troubles)</tt>
**[[Problem with display remaining black after resume|Blank display after resume]] <tt>(various models)</tt>
**[[Problem with high power drain in ACPI sleep | High power drain in ACPI sleep]] <tt>(various models)</tt>
**[[Problem with LCD backlight remaining on during ACPI sleep | LCD backlight remaining on during ACPI sleep]] <tt>(various models)</tt>
*[[Problem with fan noise | Fan noise]] <tt>(TP T4x/p, TP R5x/p)</tt>
*[[Problem with checking battery status | Checking battery status causes mouse to jerk around]] <tt>(R31)</tt>
*[[Battery drains despite seemingly being charged]] <tt>(A/C adapter issues)</tt>
*[[Problem with high pitch noises | High pitch noises]] <tt>(several models)</tt>

==Sound Problems==
*[[Problem with broken sound on ThinkPad 600 | Broken sound on ThinkPad 600/E]] <tt>(TP 600/E/X, 770Z)</tt>
*[[Problem with audio jacks | Audio jacks not working properly]] <tt>(TP T43)</tt>
*[[Problem with ALSA audio output | No audio heard with kernel 2.6.11+/ALSA]] <tt>(TP T43, T40)</tt>
*[[Problem with audio clipping|Audio clipping]] <tt>(TP T43)</tt>
*[[Problem with no sound on ThinkPad R60e | No Sound on ThinkPad R60e ]] <tt>(R60e)</tt>

==Misc Problems==
*[[Problem with Bending / Twisting|Casing malformed by bending/twising]] <tt>(X41)</tt>
*[[Problem with Dock USB Ports | Dock USB Ports]] <tt>(T30)</tt>
*[[High-pitch noise from AC-Adapter]] <tt>(T60/p)</tt>
*[[Problem with lm-sensors | lm_sensors kills ThinkPads]] <tt>(TP 570E, 770X/Z, 600E/X, 240, X20)</tt>
*[[Problem with USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 problems]] <tt>(T40/T41)</tt>
*[[Embedded Controller Firmware#Firmware_issues|Firmware issues]]
*[[Problem with hot surfaces|Problem with loss of fertility]] <tt>(T43)</tt>
*[[Problem with disabled VT]] <tt>(Z61t, X60, X60s)</tt>
*[[Unable to create recovery cds when another python is installed on the system]] <tt>(T43p)</tt>

Problem with USB 2.0

2006-12-20T00:28:52Z

Mcdavis42:

==Problem description==
On various (early?) T40 models, USB 2.0 may not function, or may function only at USB 1.1 speeds. Symptoms include inability to connect to USB 2.0 devices at USB 2.0 speeds, the "This device can perform faster" pop-up in Windows XP, device ID assignment error messages from the Linux kernel, and frequent reboots of the USB bus and connected devices.

This is happening on my T41 as well (now), so it's not just limited to early T40 models.
Confirmed on T41 models.

==Affected Models==
*ThinkPad {{T40}}, {{T41}}

==Problem's Cause==

The source of the problem was described by Matthias Himber on the [http://mailman.linux-thinkpad.org/pipermail/linux-thinkpad/2005-June/026884.html linux-thinkpad mailing list]
as follows:

Short answer: your southbridge is about to die, get your system board replaced. Hopefully its still under warranty.

Long answer: a number of Intel chipsets for Pentium IV and Pentium M processors have a design flaw that makes the southbridge (which contains the USB host controllers) especially sensitive to static electricity. As a result
there is a (small) risk that when plugging in or removing a USB device causes damage to the chip. Usually, the first symptom is broken USB 2.0, behaving in exactly the way you described (ie, works under Windows, but only after some waiting and as if it was connected to a USB 1.1 controller, not a USB 2.0 one, and not at all under Linux unless you unload the USB 2.0 driver). This tends to lead to a completely dead chipset a short time later, so better get it serviced NOW.

==Another Cause==

My T41 shows the same symptoms. USB 2.0 works if I (gently) push the USB plug, or if I slightly flex my thinkpad. For example, it works when I put a pencil under the harddrive on an otherwise flat desk, so that the thinkpad only makes contact with the desk at 3 points (I type on an external keyboard). If I flex the other way, USB 2.0 never works. USB 1.1 always works reliably, irregardless of flexing / pushing the plug.

Clearly, this is an electrical problem and not static electricity.

==Solutions==
This seems to be a hardware problem with the USB controller on Intel's chip or related electronics. Sending the laptop in for service may help.

If the Linux kernel refuses to register the USB device, "modprobe -r ehci_hcd" may help. This disables USB 2.0 functionality for the session.

Unloading ehci_hcd as per above confirmed to work on T41 running Ubuntu Edgy.

Problem with unauthorized MiniPCI network card

2006-05-11T05:14:25Z

Mcdavis42:

==Problem Description==
Although the MiniPCI slot is an industry standard and can accept any MiniPCI adapter, the IBM BIOS is set to only allow you to boot with an 'authorized' adapter installed. Attempts to install an unsupported card will result in the following message:

1802: Unauthorized network card is plugged in - Power off and remove the miniPCI network card.

This is because the card's sub-vendor PCI-ID (which can be seen using ''lspci -v'') are checked against a [[Wikipedia:Whitelist|whitelist]] in the BIOS. IBM's reasoning for this is that the combination of MiniPCI card and the integrated antenna in the ThinkPad needs to be certified by the US FCC (Federal Communications Commission).{{footnote|1}} or similar agencies in other countries.

==Affected Models==
All machines with integrated WiFi, or machines with WiFi added

==Affected Operating Systems==
All - problem is in the BIOS

==Status==
* Workarounds exist for most affected models.

==Solutions==
It may be possible to use the computer with the unauthorized card deactivated (but not removed). Press {{key|F1}} to enter the BIOS and deactivate the WLAN card, then attempt to boot with the card disabled. This does not make the wireless card work, but it may allow you to boot the computer normally.

{{NOTE|Any of the following solutions should suffice to make the wireless card useable. You only need to perform one of them.}}

* You may can modify the BIOS whitelist to include the PCI-ID of the card you wish to use. The complete instructions for this procedure are [http://www.paul.sladen.org/thinkpad-r31/wifi-card-pci-ids.html here].
{{WARN|It is dangerous to mess with your BIOS, you can easily make your machine unbootable, proceed with caution!}}

* A safer method than modifying the BIOS is modifying the PCI-ID of the wlan card. The instructions are [http://www.dagarlas.org/stuff/computing/article0001.php here]. This page is for Atheros-based cards and HP notebooks, but it applies to Thinkpads as well. It also has links on how to edit the PCI-ID on Intel Pro Wireless cards.
{{NOTE|Modifying your PCI-ID will require either a laptop without a BIOS lock or a PCI adapter for your desktop. Also, this procedure can render your card useless, but that's better than bricking your laptop.}}

* You can use the [[Problem with error 01C9 - More than one Ethernet devices | no-1802 and no-01C9 Linux Live CD]] without applying the no-01C9 patch. It is very convenient to use and based on the C code below.

* You can use the DOS [http://jcnp.pku.edu.cn/~shadow/1802/no-1802.com no-1802] utility, written by Tisheng Chen.{{footnote|2}} It will set a certain bit in the CMOS memory which disables the whitelist check, but it has been reported not to work on the latest machines, such as the T43

* You can compile and run (as root) the following C-code, which was written by Matthew Garrett. It was based on the code written by Vojtech Pavlik, which in turn was based on the assembly used in the no-1802 program. {{footnote|3}}

<code>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <sys/types.h>
#include <unistd.h>
#include <sys/stat.h>
#include <fcntl.h>

int main(void)
{
int fd;
unsigned char data;

fd = open("/dev/nvram", O_RDWR);
if (fd==-1) {
printf("Opening /dev/nvram failed\n");
return 1;
}
printf("Disabling WiFi whitelist check.\n");

/* BIG INFORMATIONAL WARNING */
/* The linux nvram driver doesn't give access to the first 14 bytes of
the CMOS. As a result, we seek to 0x5c rather than 0x6a. If you're
implementing this under another OS, then you'll have to go to whichever
address is appropriate for your access method */

lseek(fd, 0x5c, SEEK_SET);
read(fd, &data, 1);
printf("CMOS address 0x5c: %02x->", data);
data |= 0x80;
printf("%02x\n", data);
lseek(fd, 0x5c, SEEK_SET);
if (write(fd, &data, 1)<0) {
printf("Unable to write to /dev/nvram - hack failed\n");
close(fd);
return 2;
}
close(fd);
printf("Done.\n");
return 0;
}

</code>
{{NOTE|On T43's and probabily others, the BIOS hacks and the "no-1802" utility don't work.}}

==Sucessful BIOS Modifications==
{{WARN|This table is meant to give users an idea of what models have been successfully modified and how. As stated before, it is dangerous to mess with your BIOS, you can easily make your machine unbootable. Please proceed with caution!}}

The following table contains information about ThinkPad models that have been sucessfully modified to run an unauthorized Mini PCI card. {{footnote|4}}

{| align="center" cellpadding="2" width="100%" style="border:1px; background:grey;"
! style="background:#efefef;"| Model
! style="background:#efefef;"| Type
! style="background:#efefef;"| BIOS Version
! style="background:#efefef;"| Operating System
! style="background:#efefef;"| Method
! style="background:#efefef;"| Success
|- style="background: white;"
| ThinkPad R31
| 2656-6FG
| 3.11 (12-01-2004)
| Windows XP Boot Disk
| no-1802 utility
! style ="color:green;"| Yes
|- style="background: white; color:black;"
| ThinkPad R40
| 2896-J3U
| 1.24 (10-18-2005)
| Fedora Core 4
| Vojtech Pavlik code
! style ="color:green;"| Yes
|- style="background: white; color:black;"
| ThinkPad R40
| 2681-L7U
| 1.24 (10-18-2005)
| Windows XP Pro
| no-1802 utility
! style ="color:green;"| Yes
|- style="background: white; color:black;"
| ThinkPad R40
| 2681-CFM
| 1.24 (10-17-2005)
| Gentoo & XP Pro
| no-1802 utility (boot from USB key to apply)
! style ="color:green;"| Yes
|- style="background: white; color:black;"
| ThinkPad T30
| 2366-97G
| 2.09 (08-08-2005)
| Windows XP Pro
| no-1802 utility
! style ="color:green;"| Yes
|- style="background: white; color:black;"
| ThinkPad T40
| 2373-82U
| 3.18 (09-15-2005)
| Windows XP/ SUSE 10.1
| No-1802 utility
! style ="color:green;"| Yes
|- style="background: white; color:black;"
|ThinkPad T41
| 2373-9HU
| n/a
| Ubuntu 6.10 w/Atheros 5212 a/b/g
| no-1802 Linux Live CD
! style="color:green;"| Yes
|- style="background: white; color:black;"
| ThinkPad T42
| 2378-EXU
| 3.18 (09-15-2005)
| Windows XP Pro SP2
| No-1802 utility
! style ="color:green;"| Yes
|- style="background: white; color:black;"
| ThinkPad X30
| 2672-41j
| 1.08 (08-09-2005)
| Gentoo Kernel 2.6.15
| no-1802 utility
! style ="color:green;"| Yes
|- style="background: white; color:black;"
| ThinkPad X31
| 2673-C27
| 3.02 (22-09-2005)
| Ubuntu 5.10 (kernel 2.6.12-9-386)
| Matthew Garrett code {{footnote|3}}
! style ="color:green;"| Yes
|- style="background: white; color:black;"
| ThinkPad X31
| 2672-1UG
| 3.02 (22-09-2005)
| FreeBSD 6-STABLE
| no-1802 Linux Live CD
! style ="color:green;"| Yes
|- style="background: white; color:black;"
|ThinkPad R51
| 2887-W2C
| 1.27 (03-03-2006)
| Windows XP Pro SP2
| no-1802 utility (boot from USB key to apply)
! style ="color:green;"| Yes
|- style="background: white; color:black;"
|ThinkPad A31p
| 2653-R9G
| 1.09 (04-15-2005)
| Debian Etch / Windows XP Pro SP2
| no-1802 Linux Live CD
! style ="color:green;"| Yes
|- style="background: white; color:black;"
|}

==External Sources==
* Additional Information about "Unauthorised" MiniPCI adapters can be found on [http://www.srcf.ucam.org/~mjg59/thinkpad/wireless.html Matthew Garrett's website].

* Thinkpad Mini PCI Wireless [http://www.srcf.ucam.org/~mjg59/thinkpad/tables.html compatibility matrix].

{{footnotes|
#This is explained in a [http://lkml.org/lkml/2003/6/3/162 message to the LKML] and subsequently [http://lkml.org/lkml/2003/6/9/50 clarified].
#The no-1802 tool was announced and explaned in a [http://mailman.linux-thinkpad.org/pipermail/linux-thinkpad/2004-June/018253.html message to the Linux-Thinkpad ML].
#Vojtech Pavlik's C-code was originally posted in a [http://lkml.org/lkml/2004/6/13/69 message to the LKML]. It was based on the assembly used in the no-1802 program. Matthew Garrett [http://www.srcf.ucam.org/~mjg59/thinkpad/hacks.html rewrote] the code to provide more error checking.
#This information has been added by users. Please feel free to add systems if you have had personal success or failure.
}}