"Access IBM" button not working on startup

[tex-murph]

I have a T43p that I just put a new hard drive in (a WD 320gb, BEVE I think) using True Image. The image from my original T43 drive with two partitions transferred fine and I can boot into Windows, but when I press "Access IBM" at bootup I just get taken into Windows like nothing happened.

Now there is a "Push Access IBM to go into settings" text that displays at bootup, and disappears when I push the button, so the system recognizes I pushed it. But it goes right to the usual 2010 error and then into Windows after that.

I also months ago added the True Image Startup Recovery Manager (which boots before Windows), which might have complicated things. I haven't tried to use the Access IBM button since then, so I'm also wondering if I just messed with the boot record and need to fix it? Or is there maybe missing data from the hard drive image transfer?

Many thanks for any help.

EDIT - The True Image Startup Recovery Manager doesn't show up either. Hmm not good.

[sjthinkpader]

Have you install the Hotkey driver? If not, try that.

[tex-murph]

Not sure what you mean - this is before Windows boots, to get into Rescue & Recovery, etc (I want to do a clean system install). I can't install drivers for that level, right?

[sjthinkpader]

In that case press F11.

[visionviper]

You have to hold down the Access IBM button for a second. Just pushing it won't work.

[tex-murph]

Holding down the "Access IBM" button just pauses the bootup process. If I stop holding it down long enough to let it get as far as the 2010 error, I get a "210 Error: Stuck Key 1C".

Pushing F11 gives me the same results as using the "Access IBM" key.

EDIT - removed section about my dock not working (resolved the issue - was dumb error on my part)

[visionviper]

I just re-read your first post - and I basically realized I fail at reading comprehension.

Lenovo lists only 2 ways to get into the BIOS:

1. Access IBM/ThinkVantage button (which you have tried)
2. F1

Try the F1 key this time. Maybe try hitting the Access IBM button then the F1 key. I wish I still had my T40 so I could see how I get in...

[dsvochak]

It sounds like you may want to try the f11/rescue and recovery repair diskette: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-54483

You will need a floppy for this to work.

[visionviper]

It sounds like you may want to try the f11/rescue and recovery repair diskette: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-54483

You will need a floppy for this to work.

He doesn't need to repair a damaged boot sector to get into the BIOS.

[tex-murph]

Thank you all for your replies.

That floppy sounds like a good idea, but I don't have a floppy drive to use.

To clarify, I can get into the BIOS by pushing F1. However, getting into the BIOS (a regular ANSI text screen) is NOT the same as the GUI mouse based menu the "Access IBM" button accesses. You cannot access Rescue and Recovery from the standard BIOS.

I am pretty sure the "Access IBM" button accesses a custom partition on the hard drive (hence why Thinkpads have multiple partitions, no?), so I think trying to fix the MBR could be a very good idea.

I do have my dad's T42 rescue discs - I know they're different, but are they of any use? I can also put in my old hard drive and try to see if I can get into Rescue and Recovery that way - at least I could generate rescue discs that way.

[visionviper]

So what exactly is it that you are trying to accomplish?

[tex-murph]

The "Access IBM" button allows access to the Rescue and Recovery GUI. I need to access Rescue and Recovery before Windows boots so I can restore Windows to factory defaults (this option is not available, at least according to what I've read and seen, inside Rescue and Recovery in Windows).

I specifically want to restore to factory default, in other words. (for performance gains - if not this, maybe an nlite install of windows somehow)

[mpcook]

The "Access IBM" button allows access to the Rescue and Recovery GUI. I need to access Rescue and Recovery before Windows boots so I can restore Windows to factory defaults (this option is not available, at least according to what I've read and seen, inside Rescue and Recovery in Windows).

I specifically want to restore to factory default, in other words. (for performance gains - if not this, maybe an nlite install of windows somehow)

Your easiest solution (assuming your hard drive is good), is to use the recovery disks, if you can get a copy.

However, I have done the same as you with Acronis on 2 T43's with no problem. Did you put the new drive in the machine, old drive in external case, then and boot from the Acronis CD? That might make a difference, rather than boot from the old drive in the T43 and clone to the new drive in the external case. It's worth a try.

Mike

[ryan1212]

It is a bios option. Press F1 to get into bios and enable the access IBM button. I had to do this after getting my motherboard replaced.

Ryan

[mpcook]

It is a bios option. Press F1 to get into bios and enable the access IBM button. I had to do this after getting my motherboard replaced.

Ryan

I think if the option is turned off in the bios, he would not see "Push Access IBM to go into settings" text that displays at bootup. But it would be good to check.

Mike

[tex-murph]

It is a bios option. Press F1 to get into bios and enable the access IBM button. I had to do this after getting my motherboard replaced.

Thank you, this confirms my suspicion that something got messed up months ago when I installed the Acronis boot loader, and has nothing to do with installing the new drive!

I did also try transferring the old hard drive from an external enclosure to the new drive (now internal) overnight, I will see how that went when I get home.

[tex-murph]

Transferring from the enclosure directly didn't make a difference, unfortunately.

I checked the BIOS, and "Access IBM Predesktop Area" is set to "Normal". I also made sure to hit F9 and restore BIOS defaults, just in case. No luck.

I'm pretty stumped! I'll probably just put in the old hard drive and make recovery discs if need be.

[tex-murph]

I figured it out - I feel really silly, actually.

Basically, it was working fine along. I was just getting confused, since the Acronis boot loader appears BEFORE Rescue and Recovery (hitting F11), but does NOT appear before the BIOS screen (hitting F1).

I thought the BIOS was working and Rescue and Recovery was broken, but they just occur at different points in the boot process.

To add to the confusion, the boot loader I was using said it is "Booting into Windows", when this just loads the Rescue and Recovery program.

Thanks for your time and help everyone - maybe this thread will be helpful for someone in the future!