A21 - Setup and boot problems

[John Estal]

I have two Thinkpad Model A21's with a similar problem.
Unit #1: When I boot I get no beep errors. F1 displays (enter Bios Setup) but F12 does NOT display. When I press nothing the unit stays in this state indefinitely. When I boot and press F1 I get the screen "Entering Bios Setup" which stays indefinitely.

Unit #2 - Boots with no beep errors. F1 and F12 displays both appear. If I let it sit like this it soon displays 271: Check date and time and then the padlock is displayed. When I boot and press F12, I get the preparing boot list then error 271 and the padlock displays. If I press F1 I get Entering Bios Setup then error 271 then the padlock

I know that password locking problems are verboten on this board but maybe there's something else amiss.

Any ideas. Thanks in advance for your help
John Estal

[ajkula66]

For the unit #1, I'd try the following:

a) Remove the RAM, replace with tested stick.
b) Remove the battery
c) Remove mini-PCI card
d) Remove HDD
e) Replace BIOS battery
f) Remove the media drive

Try booting and see if you get past the hanging.

If you do, start putting components back in one at the time until you locate the problematic one.

Good luck.

[John Estal]

I checked the RAM and it's OK
I removed the items you suggested and I still have the hang after the entry into setup. I also checked the CMOS battery and its showing 2v. What's next?

Thanks again for your help
John Estal
PS. With the RAM removed I get a 3-3-1 beep pattern which means either RAM or Motherboard problems.

[sjthinkpader]

The CMOS battery should be 3V.

[John Estal]

Thanks for the battery tip. I replace the CMOS battery with a new one which measures 3.3V. The same problem persists. It won't display the F12 message. When F1 is pressed it "says Enter BIOS setup but hangs as before. If I let it sit long enough it displays the admin password lock symbol.

I can't take care of the locked symbol unless I can get it to boot

What's next. Any ideas??

Thanks for all tips to date and new ones

John Estal

[sjthinkpader]

F12 is an option in BIOS setting. You have to get F1 to work. If padlock is displayed, then the is a supervisor password set.