IBM Thinkpad T20 help.

Shed7the3rd · 02-22-2007, 06:45 AM

Hi guys,

Yeah, I know it's a **** laptop, and I know it's probably best used as a doorstop, but I'd still like to fix it as I mainly use it for typing up word documents.

Anyways - the problem...

I can get the Thinkpad to turn on. It comes up with the IBM thinkpad logo and the option of pressing F1 for Bios or F12 to choose temp boot device. It does nothing else. it just stays on that screen.

If I push F1 it still has the IBM Thinkpad logo and says "Entering IBM BIOS setup Utility" but nothing happens.

If I push F12 it says "Preparing Boot Device List" and nothing happens after that.

Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks.

**hwm54112** · 02-22-2007, 08:14 AM

You could try starting it without the battery installed.

If that doesn't work, you may be able to reset bios by removing the RTC battery, an internal battery that saves the bios configuration when the computer is turned off

Shed7the3rd · 02-22-2007, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwm54112

You could try starting it without the battery installed.

If that doesn't work, you may be able to reset bios by removing the RTC battery, an internal battery that saves the bios configuration when the computer is turned off

I've tried removing the battery, and it's not helped any. What made you suggest this? Is there a common problem with the batteries?

Is the RTC battery easy enough to remove? I know which one it is, but have never removed it before!! lol.

Shed7the3rd · 02-22-2007, 09:07 AM

I've now tried removing both batteries to no success.

Thanks for the suggestions though.

Anyone have any other ideas as to what it may be?

Shed7the3rd · 02-26-2007, 07:40 AM

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

**TheMatt** · 02-26-2007, 12:47 PM

If you press F1, can you enter the BIOS? If so, try disabling "soft boot" or quiet boot". Also, try removing one stick of RAM, then the other, and see if it will boot. If that doesn't work, try removing the hard disk and DC/DVD drive, as well as any PCMCIA and mini PCI cards and see if it will boot

When you removed the RTC (or CMOS) battery, did you make sure the laptop was unplugged, the main battery was out, and the CMOS battery was out for at least 30 mins?

02-22-2007, 06:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Shed7the3rd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 16 OS: WinXP	IBM Thinkpad T20 help. Hi guys, Yeah, I know it's a **** laptop, and I know it's probably best used as a doorstop, but I'd still like to fix it as I mainly use it for typing up word documents. Anyways - the problem... I can get the Thinkpad to turn on. It comes up with the IBM thinkpad logo and the option of pressing F1 for Bios or F12 to choose temp boot device. It does nothing else. it just stays on that screen. If I push F1 it still has the IBM Thinkpad logo and says "Entering IBM BIOS setup Utility" but nothing happens. If I push F12 it says "Preparing Boot Device List" and nothing happens after that. Anyone got any ideas? Thanks.

02-26-2007, 12:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	If you press F1, can you enter the BIOS? If so, try disabling "soft boot" or quiet boot". Also, try removing one stick of RAM, then the other, and see if it will boot. If that doesn't work, try removing the hard disk and DC/DVD drive, as well as any PCMCIA and mini PCI cards and see if it will boot When you removed the RTC (or CMOS) battery, did you make sure the laptop was unplugged, the main battery was out, and the CMOS battery was out for at least 30 mins? __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

02-22-2007, 08:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
hwm54112 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2,233 OS: WINXP	You could try starting it without the battery installed. If that doesn't work, you may be able to reset bios by removing the RTC battery, an internal battery that saves the bios configuration when the computer is turned off

02-22-2007, 09:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
Shed7the3rd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 16 OS: WinXP	I've now tried removing both batteries to no success. Thanks for the suggestions though. Anyone have any other ideas as to what it may be?

02-26-2007, 07:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
Shed7the3rd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 16 OS: WinXP	Does anyone have any other suggestions?