Thinkpad T42 "Problem with unauthorized MiniPCI network card"

[Alan B'Stard]

Just come back from a mates house after fiddling with his T42. He gave it to somebody to wipe clean and reinstall XP on and it returned with this boot error.

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

Googled and found this page

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Problem_with_unauthorized_MiniPCI_network_card

Tried disabling card in bios and had no joy so I removed the card.

I'm puzzled as it was working fine with no errors prior to somebody touching it who "did nothing" apparently but wiped the OS off.

Anybody come across this before?

Laptop now boots OK but did not have time to install XP and fully verify all is OK.

Bios had not been updated as it's still at 2003, I'm wondering if there was some sort of software patch that has been removed with a reformat?

 

[wmrcomputers]

Even with a software patch though I doubt it would prevent the machine from booting. I would hazard guesses that either... A. The card has developed a fault at precisely the same time as the re-install (unlikely but it happens), or a possibility that the XP disc used to re-install the machine is designed for a specific computer rather than being a standard copy - if that was the case it may automatically have installed drivers which are not for the T42 and those drivers would then cause instability / crashes / boot failure

If your mate wants assistance or a possible re-install from a "non dedicated" xp disc, tell him I'm currently doing a £15 offer

EDIT.. However you proceed or whatever your findings are keep us posted as I'm interested to see what causes it. I've only just fully read the wiki article you found and it does seem strange that the message is coming up when it was previously fine with that card. hmmm

 

[wmrcomputers]

Try this out...

http://www.command-tab.com/mint/pepper/orderedlist/downloads/download.php?file=http%3A//www.command-tab.com/files/no-1802/no-1802-cd.zip

Unzip the file once you've downloaded it (it's only 5Mb), then use Nero or similar to burn the disc image to cd. It's a bootable CD that you put in the laptop and then boot up with it in. It prevents the bios from doing the usual "PCI check" on all Thinkpads <apparently>

Let me know how you get on

 

[Alan B'Stard]

Cheers, it's now been reinstalled but looks like the recovery option was chosen as all previous files are still there.

Sneaky feeling there must have been some boot sector code to overcome it which was wiped as when I left the only error message was "missing operating system".

"EDIT.. However you proceed or whatever your findings are keep us posted as I'm interested to see what causes it. I've only just fully read the wiki article you found and it does seem strange that the message is coming up when it was previously fine with that card."

Yes, I was scratching my head about that as well.

 

[Alan B'Stard]

Have been offered this T42, it has a sticky space bar and I've an error of cannot find mountable volume, so hard drive may be on it's way out.

I'd agreed a price before hand but now I'm not too sure, what would you value this at WMR? battery holds no charge, 40GB drive which may or may not be dodgy 512mb ram, dvd drive which may or may not be a combo.

 

[wmrcomputers]

Hiya mate.

Based on the spec of it, the dodgy spacebar which could mean a replacement (only second hand available) keyboard from ebay at £20, possibly a new hard drive at £35 to £40 and therefore requiring a re-install... all of that PLUS the fact that the battery is kaput (and not worth replacing either) - I'd be looking at £20 if that. Realistically if it were working 100% pucker it would only be worth about £60 - £75 at tops anyway.

If I were you and it was from a mate - I'd expect to be given it for spares or repair as a favour and for me to owe him a pint at the pub!! lol

 

[wmrcomputers]

Also, if it's just that you're desperate for something that "works" for web surfing and basic use I've got
this if it's of any use you can have it for £40. Phone me instantly on 07871 613924 though if you want it so that I can close the listing before someone clicks on buy-it-now

 

[Alan B'Stard]

I'd offered a little less than the bottom of your range, I'll have to have a think about it.

Cheers.

 

[wmrcomputers]

see my post above (incase you missed it while submitting that one)

 

[Alan B'Stard]

I'm OK at the moment, it was just because this is a thinkpad and I really like them.

Thanks for the offer.

 

[wmrcomputers]

Not a problem mate. Anyways... like I said £20 tops (and that's pushing it). I'd try and get it for less if you can