Service Forum

GrahamLeach · Nou Venit Joined: 09 Mar 2013 Posts: 4

Hello,

I bought a ThinkPad T30 for USD22.50 the other day.

I managed to unlock the POP and SVP passwords.

But now I am stuck. The machine now issues TWO BEEPS and then
shows the following errors on the screen:

============================================
ERROR
0189: Invalid RFID Configuration Information Area

ERROR
0188: Invalid RFID Serialization Information Area or Bad CRC2.

============================================

In many posts I see that you just press <ESC> to continue with the
boot process. In my case, this DOES NOT WORK!

- I have a hard disk installed and which is recognized in the SETUP
- I have a DVD drive with the PRODUCT RECOVERY DISK inserted

In the STARTUP area of the BIOS, I have:

1) The CD-ROM as the 1st device
2) The HDD as the 2nd device

...but once I hit the above errors the system just stops.

The only way I can get beyond that screen is by pressing F1, which
just gets me to the BIOS screen.

If I press F12 (Temporary Boot Device) I get two beeps and a
BLANK screen

I worry that if I purchase your software, I will be unable to run it and
resolve my problem. How do I get the ThinkPad T30 to proceed past
the error screen and boot from one of the recognized devices?

Otherwise, how would I work with you to obtain, correct and then
re-install the EEPROM contents?

BTW - in the BIOS there is NO:

- System Unit Serial Number
- System Board Serial Number
- UUID: FFFFFFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFFFFFFFFFF

Thank you,

Graham Leach

victor · S.F. Boss Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Posts: 2581 Location: Staff

Eeprom checksums or data are corrupted.

No worries we can re-build or repair the actual S/N, MAC, Machine Type, anything... and redo all the checksums. All you need is to buy the eeprom writer W24RF08 ($30) and to read the eeprom with R24RF08 and email us the dump file. The CRC repair will be free of charge.

But first you will have to read the eeprom 24RF08 that is located underneath near the 2nd RAM slot, you must remoe the RAM cover to get acess there. It is an 8pin 24RF08. See totorial above about how to build a simple interface and use R24RF08 program to read it.

eeprom location: www.allservice.ro/forum/images/t30-2.jpg
programs: www.allservice.ro/store/utils/

Cheers
_________________
Victor Voinea
ALLservice HQ, Romania.

GrahamLeach · Nou Venit Joined: 09 Mar 2013 Posts: 4

Hello,

Thanks for your speedy reply.

Will I have to build the i2c hardware and connect it to a 2nd computer to obtain the EEPROM dump that you need to get this machine back up and running?

I notice you have a SIMPLE and a DRIVEN version.

The SIMPLE version looks easier and cheaper to build.

So...why do you also include a DRIVEN version please?

I am going to get the parts this afternoon and I want to make sure that I'm following the correct steps and building the right device.

Thank you,

Graham Leach
----

victor · S.F. Boss Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Posts: 2581 Location: Staff

The simple one is called SIPROG and is a simple solution that works mainly for standalone (not soldered on) chips, also works for in-system ships if COM port is strong enough to keep it up.

The driven interface is better, suitable for those people who use in-system programming extensively.

Simply put: SIPROG is for dummies and driven prog is for hotshots. Or viceversa
_________________
Victor Voinea
ALLservice HQ, Romania.

GrahamLeach · Nou Venit Joined: 09 Mar 2013 Posts: 4

Hello,

OK, I will get the materials for the SIMPLE programmer today.

The BOM is simple enough:

2 x BZX79-C5V1 zener diode
2 x 2.2K resistor (1/4 watt)
1 x DB9 (female)

I have a quick question about the grounding.

There are four (4) grounds on the diagram you supply.

Should I tie all the grounds together, or should I set up grounding
to the respective machines (i.e. the GND of the 24RF08 to a ground
within its own machine)

Do I set up a common ground between the two machines or set up
two "semi-floating" grounds?

The ThinkPad power supply does not supply earthing, so I am a
little worried about a potential difference.

Thank you,

Graham Leach
-----

bob · Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 8:28 am Post subject:

Hi,

The circuit has all 'grounds' tied together, is one ground over all. Consider them united by an invisible wire or mass

The circuits GND wire better be connected to t30's ground and not directly to eprom. VGA connector screws is a good GND, connect the wire there

GrahamLeach · Nou Venit Joined: 09 Mar 2013 Posts: 4

Hello,

I will be building the device tomorrow night.

It may already be covered somewhere, but I want to make sure I don't fry my computer(s).

When I connect the two machines, are they both powered on?

Is this the protocol?

- Connect device to Master Computer
- Connect device leads from Master Computer to Slave Computer
- Power on Master computer, wait for it to completely boot
- Load EEPROM reading software, test that it can "speak" to device
- Power on Slave computer
- Wait until Slave computer finishes its boot
- Run program on Master computer
- Send results to ALLservice

Is this the protocol I need to follow?

Thank you,

Graham Leach
----

victor · S.F. Boss Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Posts: 2581 Location: Staff

Wrong. Never start the locked laptop with eeprom wired to the interface!!

With the technician PC up and running (or master as you wish) follow the steps:

1. Connect the circuit the COM1 on the tech PC
2. Connect the GND wire to the locked (or slave) laptop's VGA out shell - that is the ground. At this time, don't connect SDA and SCL
3. Power on the T30, press F1 and wait to see the padlock icon.
4. Connect SDA and SCL to the eeprom's pin 5 and 6 by using two needles/probes. Keep them firmy in place while executing R24RF08.

To make it easy create a batch file run.bat in the same folder with r24rf08.exe containing the lines: