I have an IBM Thinkpad 385ED running Windows 95. It was working perfectly for my Mom. When she died a year ago, I unplugged it. I just tried starting it up a few days ago. When I turn it on, I get the Post error messages 161 & 163 for date & time, with the choice of either clicking "OK" or "Cancel". When I click "OK" and enter the correct date and time and then press "OK", the system starts up again and gives the same 2 error messages. If I click on "Cancel", the next screen shows the 2 error codes with an arrow pointing to an open book and the system will go no further. Someone suggested recharging the battery, then removing it, and reinstalling it. I tried that & tried just starting up without the battery attached, but the same happens as described above. Any suggestions?

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The BIOS battery is dead.

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Hwere is the BIOS Battery located? Is there a cover on the bottom of the Thinkpad near the battery? Please explain what I have to do?


On Monday, January 22, 2007 at 6:51 pm, Jacob6601 wrote:
>The BIOS battery is dead.

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They are usually on the motherboard; It looks like a large watch battery. You need to go to IBM and look for a repair manual for specific instructions on access. If you can't find a manual, the parts department often has helpful diagrams. A shop will probably install one for 10-20 bucks, depending on the price of your battery.

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I "second" Jacob6601's advice.  BIOS batteries on
laptops are often located in absolutely
inaccessible places.  My Toshiba's is NOT on the
motherboard, looks like a capacitor (not a watch
battery), and is soldered in.  It is not what
manufacturers call a "user-accessible part."

Jerry

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Thanks to Jerry & Jacob. I will go to the Computer Geeks at BestBuy and ask them to install a new BIOS Battery.


On Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 9:19 pm, Jerry wrote:
>I "second" Jacob6601's advice. BIOS batteries on
>laptops are often located in absolutely
>inaccessible places. My Toshiba's is NOT on the
>motherboard, looks like a capacitor (not a watch
>battery), and is soldered in. It is not what
>manufacturers call a "user-accessible part."
>
>Jerry

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This is a great forum. Thanks for the help. I went to Lenovo.com, downloaded the Tech Manual for the IBM Thinkpad 385ED, followed the instructions in it, and replaced the backup battery with new one from Radio Shack. All is well, and I am up and running again.


On Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 3:43 pm, John Conte wrote:
>Thanks to Jerry & Jacob. I will go to the Computer Geeks at BestBuy and ask them
>to install a new BIOS Battery.
>
>
>

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hey thanks yall... this is great: solved my problem as well...and i kinda like carrying this brick (old thinkpad) into coffeeshops these days


On Sunday, February 11, 2007 at 5:27 pm, John Conte wrote:
>This is a great forum. Thanks for the help. I went to Lenovo.com, downloaded the
>Tech Manual for the IBM Thinkpad 385ED, followed the instructions in it, and replaced
>the backup battery with new one from Radio Shack. All is well, and I am up and running
>again.
>
>
>

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