IBM Thinkpad 600E Error

[phil1green]

Hello,
I was last able to use this machine about a week ago, and it seemed to work fine. I was very carefull to use the windows shut down steps because I'm running Windows Millennium and it's susceptible to problems if not shut down correctly.

The very next day, Windows would not open - not even in Safe Mode. I tried booting up with the ME system disc, but ended up with the same result.

I bought the Ultimate Boot Disk on e-bay and the machine would not recognize it.

When starting the machine, I get the message that something is wrong and to start in Safe Mode. I select Safe Mode and get a blinking curser for several minutes then the following message:

"An error has occurred. To Continue:
Press Enter to return to Windows, or
Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart your computer. If you do this,
you will lose any unsaved information in all open applications.

Error: 06 : 0167 : BFF71AF3

Press any key to continue"

Sometimes the error code is:

"Error: 03 : 0177 : 00000001"

CTRL+ALT+DEL does not do anything. The only key that will move from this screen is ENTER.

When I press ENTER, I get the following message:

"Window protection error. You need to restart your computer.
System halted."

From here I can only turn off the power.

How can I get this thing back on track? Is this a hardware problem or a Windows problem? If it's software, how do I get the machine to boot up in some way that the problem can be corrected?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[doubledragon5]

Try booting and choos last know good configuration.. Have you made any changes recently ie added in new software, hardware...

[shadowpr]

Are you sure that you copied those errors messages right? I couldn't find much about them anywhere.

And just for future reference, you can get the Ultimate Boot CD from here: http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/download.html

Before you use the boot cd, make sure in bios it says to boot from cd and not harddrive first.

[phil1green]

Thanks to both of you for your responses. I don't see a point where I can get into the BIOS. The ThinkPad screen comes up and the memory check "OK" message. Then the Windows ME screen comes up and it goes to the choose mode screen ,(1. Normal, 2. Logged, 3. Safe, and 4. Step-by-step.)
I've tried all four and get the same result. The screen goes blank except for a flashing curser for a couple minutes. Then The Windos Error Screen comes up and I get one of the errors mentioned in the first post.
My secktop at least gives me a chance to enter set up before windows boots. The ThinkPad doesn't. I've tried Esc, Ctrl+Alt+Del, and randome keys. Nothing happens.
The last time I was able to use the machine, everything worked fine. I was careful to go through the proper shutdown process.
Thanks Again!
Phil

[glc]

If I'm not mistaken, F2 should get you into the bios setup, and F12 will allow you to choose a temporary boot device.

Your most likely problems are bad ram or a failing hard drive.

[phil1green]

Thanks a bunch folks.
Phil