The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    need help fixed a "locked" thinkpad runnin vista beta

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by atyrrell, Aug 4, 2007.

  1. atyrrell

    atyrrell Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    284
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I have an old thinkpad that was runnig vista beta. A couple of monthes ao it all of a sudden would not work one day. All it shows is a little lock in the top left of the screen with a flashing under scroll next to it. I have tried the old admin code bu noting as worked. No commands work that I have tried such as the thinkvantege. All I want to do it install linux on it. There is nothing i need from the hd. Any ideas?
     
    atyrrell, Aug 4, 2007
    #1
  2. minimalism

    minimalism Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    87
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Install with a live cd.
     
    minimalism, Aug 4, 2007
    #2
  3. atyrrell

    atyrrell Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    284
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    i have tried starting it with a copy of linux ubuntu but nothing happens but the lock shows up.
     
    atyrrell, Aug 4, 2007
    #3
  4. atyrrell

    atyrrell Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    284
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    there is also what looks like is supposed be a monitor or something next to the lock. When you type in a password lile stars show up. Everytime you enter the wrong password, an x appears below he lock. After 3 tries a hand with circle and slash through it appears and no more passwords can be entered. I tried F12 while starting and it says loading boot devices, but then the lock comes up again
     
    atyrrell, Aug 4, 2007
    #4
  5. Qhs

    Qhs Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    40
    Messages:
    666
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    That would be a Startup password lock. Are you sure you never went into the BIOS and added a startup, BIOS access, or Admin password?

    Yeah this sucks major. I forgot my Startup password for an old T60 and I tried for hours guessing and troubleshooting. In the end I just used to recovery partition to reinstall the OS. :\

    Try just pressing enter or space and then enter.
     
    Qhs, Aug 4, 2007
    #5
  6. atyrrell

    atyrrell Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    284
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    tried both, didnt work. how can i overrides this? I do not need anything on it and will install ubuntu on it anyways. It will not boot windows cd's or a ubuntu cd and f12 and accessibm will not work.
     
    atyrrell, Aug 5, 2007
    #6
  7. Sykotic

    Sykotic Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    29
    Messages:
    436
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    You have to remove "both" batteries for a small duration of time. The internal battery is hard to get to, expect to almost dismantle the unit. GL
     
    Sykotic, Aug 5, 2007
    #7
  8. atyrrell

    atyrrell Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    284
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    can anyone else confirm this before i take the hwole laptop apart?
     
    atyrrell, Aug 5, 2007
    #8
  9. atyrrell

    atyrrell Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    284
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    will I know what the internal battery is when I see it? How long should i leave the batteries out for? days..hours?
     
    atyrrell, Aug 6, 2007
    #9
  10. techguy2k7

    techguy2k7 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    93
    Messages:
    442
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Most thinkpads have a small watch-style battery encased in a yellow plastic with a tiny 2-wire connector leading off it.
    If you're lucky it will be located underneath the main battery. If you're unlucky, you'll be pulling apart pretty much the whole thing.
     
    techguy2k7, Aug 6, 2007
    #10
  11. Sykotic

    Sykotic Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    29
    Messages:
    436
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    30 min to 1 hour usually work
     
    Sykotic, Aug 7, 2007
    #11