Thinkpads Forum

Hi,
I have and IBM ThinkPad 760XD that I am trying to fix for a friend. I need to format the harddrive and I can't get the thing to boot to the DOS Prompt. It won't boot from the floppy it just passes it right to the Hdd and tries to start Windows (which is where my trouble is). Is there any keystrokes to hit to get this to start in DOS?
Thanks,
V

Change the BOOT order in the BIOS so that the FDD is seen first.

Regards,

James

I have done that and when the TP boots it first looks to the Fdd and looks like it is reading it but no matter what bootdisk I try in there (I have tried several) it goes past the Fdd to the Hdd. Can I get to the DOS prompt any other way?
I really appreciate your help,
V

Sounds like a bad FDD, got another you could try?

Are you positive the floppys you're using are bootable?

Regards,

James

Yes,
I was thinking that the FDD was bad. I am going to try and get one to try. I was just going to try and boot to the dos prompt and see if I could solve my other problem that way. I get the feeling that you can't just boot to the dos prompt, am I right?
Again, thanks for the help
V

BOOT to a DOS prompt from a floppy?

Sure you can.

Regards,

James

No, I meant boot to the DOS prompt without using the floppy drive. I think it is all moot now since I can't even get the ThinkPad to turn on. Not a good experience, all in all.
Thanks James,
Vicki

Vicki,

Location?

Got another CMOS battery? It's the one under the left speaker housing.

Regards,

James

Hi,
My location or the location of the computer?

No, I don't think I have an extra CMOS battery but where is it located? I maybe can get one. I really want to get this going for my friend.
Thanks,
Vic

victanny wrote:My location or the location of the computer?

Your location Vicki. I ask in case someone might live near you who could possibly look at this system for you. Please update your profile with your location.

victanny wrote:No, I don't think I have an extra CMOS battery but where is it located? I maybe can get one. I really want to get this going for my friend.

The battery is inside the front edge of the keyboard. You'll have to open it to gain access, it's the battery on the left.

Regards,

James

Do I just have to lift the keyboard up (like to access the drives) or do I have to take it apart to access the battery?

I live in central WI (very small town) and I worked for the repair shop in our area. I am pretty good with regular PC's but this laptop is my first and I don't have the extra parts for it to "try this or try that" if you know what I mean:-)

Thanks James,
Vicki

victanny wrote:Do I just have to lift the keyboard up (like to access the drives) or do I have to take it apart to access the battery?

You'll have to take it apart a bit.

See: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... FAN-3TJKLN

Regards,

James