From: Quantrill, Adam (AQuantrill_at_scigen.co.uk)
Date: Wed Jul 25 2001 - 10:45:27 EDT
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I don't think you mentioned this, but have you
tried exiting to native DOS mode, it might give
better results.
I've been doing similar things but with the
parallel port, and I shutdown windoze and go into
DOS to be on the safe side for some of the tests.
-----Original Message-----
From: Nial Stewart [mailto:nials_at_sqf.hp.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 25 July, 2001 3:25 PM
To: James_at_thinkpads.com
Cc: thinkpad
Subject: Re: 600E serial port interrupt problems and BIOS questions
"James H. E. Maugham" wrote:
James,
Thanks for some very useful advice, I've a few more questions.
>
> By default, the 600E's serial port is turned OFF and the IR port is ON.
With
> W98 you need to download and install the "Configuration Utility for
Windows
> 95/98/Me/2000" from: http://www.pc.ibm.com/qtechinfo/DSHY-3XZMX3.html
>
> Run the utility from within W98 and turn OFF the following devices, MODEM,
> IR and SERIAL ports. Re-boot and run the utility again and turn ON the
> SERIAL port ONLY. It will be assigned IRQ4 and be COM1.
Is that the Thinkpad Configuration utility? If so that's what I've been
using to switch things on/off (checking in control panel) and I've
switched the IR port off and serial port on.
> Only problems I'm aware of result from running some DOS programs from
within
> a W98 DOS prompt window.
What sort of problems? This's what I'm trying to do.
> Download and run the "Intel Processor Frequency ID Utility" from
> http://support.intel.com/support/processors/tools/FrequencyID/FreqID.htm
> which will give you the best indicator of your actual CPU. As this is a
used
> machine, there's a possibility that someone's been at work under the
bonnet.
> The correct BIOS for this machine type is INET34WW.
Thanks, I'll try this.
> A quick and dirty check to see if everything is as it should be on your
> machine WRT the processor is to check the L2 cache. If it's 256KB, then
you
> at least have the correct 600E MB in the machine. If it's 512KB, then
> there's a distinct possibility that your MB has been swapped with one for
a
> 600.
256MB rings a bell, this is reported in the BIOS isn't it?
> There were only two PII 266MHz 600s, neither of which is an E model. As
your
> BIOS is IBET22WW, I suspect your machine is actually a 600, not a 600E.
Hmmm. It's starting to look like that.
> At this point I would strongly suggest you contact the seller of this
> machine to resolve the question of whether or not you bought a pig in a
> poke.
I bought it from an on-line retailer here in the UK who are reputed to
be reliable. Having said that I'm not sure most people would have
discovered this sort of problem.
If the system board had been replaced would the BIOS still report the
same type and serial number as on the bottom (which doesn't look
tampered with) and which according to IBM means it's a 600E?
I'd like to get my facts straight before contacting them to complain.
> Consider sending it in to EZServe for a checkup.
???? I'm in the UK. Who're EZServe?
> > _QUESTIONS 2_:
> >
> > Can a thinkpad 600E be loaded with a 600 BIOS?
> > If so how do I upgrade to the 600E BIOS?
>
> No, you can't put a 600E BIOS on a 600 machine or vice versa as the
upgrade
> utility checks the machine type.
I suppose I could download the latest 600 Bios and see if that works,
but this could be a bit risky if the machine's not standard.
Thanks again,
Nial.
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