Mysterious T23 model...?

[loopcycle]

First, I want to thank all of you for all of the great info on this board. I've been lurking here for over a year now, and it was you guys that encouraged me to get a Thinkpad (T23) for my first laptop. This is why I am writing now.

I am the happy owner of a T23, and as of this week, a T41. My T23 has been ultra-reliable for a long time but it is time for me to sell it (to help justify the cost of the T41).

In regard to the T23:

Q1. There is no serial number (and no model) on the bottom of the T23. The type is 2648. It does not appear that there EVER was a sticker on the bottom. How unusual is this?

Q2. When I go into the BIOS, the System-Unit Serial Number and System Board Serial Number fields are completely blank. I am on BIOS version 1.18, Embedded Controller version 1.86a. Shouldn't this machine have this information in the BIOS if not on a sticker on the bottom?

Q3. What button do I press to see what is happening behind the IBM boot splash screen? I've seen it once...it echoed something about the US Government. I'll post back what it reads after one of you gives me this answer.

TIA.

[AbsoluteRaleigh]

Q1. There is no serial number (and no model) on the bottom of the T23. The type is 2648. It does not appear that there EVER was a sticker on the bottom. How unusual is this?

Maybe the base was replaced...

Q2. When I go into the BIOS, the System-Unit Serial Number and System Board Serial Number fields are completely blank. I am on BIOS version 1.18, Embedded Controller version 1.86a. Shouldn't this machine have this information in the BIOS if not on a sticker on the bottom?

Usually- it could have been cleared for whatever reason but takes some effort...

Q3. What button do I press to see what is happening behind the IBM boot splash screen? I've seen it once...it echoed something about the US Government. I'll post back what it reads after one of you gives me this answer.

Use F1 to enter the BIOS, go to Startup, change Boot Mode from "quick" to "diagnostics. Does that help?

[loopcycle]

Q1. There is no serial number (and no model) on the bottom of the T23. The type is 2648. It does not appear that there EVER was a sticker on the bottom. How unusual is this?

Maybe the base was replaced...

Q2. When I go into the BIOS, the System-Unit Serial Number and System Board Serial Number fields are completely blank. I am on BIOS version 1.18, Embedded Controller version 1.86a. Shouldn't this machine have this information in the BIOS if not on a sticker on the bottom?

Usually- it could have been cleared for whatever reason but takes some effort...

Q3. What button do I press to see what is happening behind the IBM boot splash screen?...

Use F1 to enter the BIOS, go to Startup, change Boot Mode from "quick" to "diagnostics. Does that help?

Bingo! Thanks AR.
OK, here's what I see...

PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0 for IBM Thinkpad
(C) 1985-2000 Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
All Rights Reserved

COPYRIGHT IBM CORPORATION 2000, 2002 All Rights Reserved
US Government Users Restricted Rights - Use, duplication or disclosure
restricted by GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corp.

[edit: I guess nothing out of the ordinary here.]

BTW, the serial number sticker is what is missing (appx 1cm x 8cm). The IBM Manufactured by IBM sticker on the bottom is in decent condition and everything looks normal otherwise. I cant be sure but it (the base) doesn't look replaced.

I guess the conclusion here is that we dont know why no serial# on the unit or in the BIOS. BTW, when I have the IBM site attempt to detect my system, it says it does not recognize model "-"

Any other ideas are appreciated. TIA.

[GomJabbar]

AFAIK you can't use Software Updater without the serial numbers stored in the BIOS. To put the serial numbers in there you need to use the Hardware Maintenance Diskette. IBM/Lenovo will not sell you one, but you can find them for download. The Hardware Maintenance Manual for the T23 explains the procedure for using the Maintenance Diskette to put the serial numbers in the BIOS. The Hardware Maintenance Manual also shows how to disassemble the T23 and FRU part numbers for replacing parts. I think you will have to open your T23 up to get the serial number off of the actual motherboard, but I haven't tried this to verify that you can actually find it there. Some links below.

T23 Hardware Maintenance Manual

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=12263

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=13717