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Comment to format my old IBM Thinkpad?

fany.francis Posted messages 3 Status Member -  
fany.francis Posted messages 3 Status Member -
Hello,
I have an old IBM Thinkpad laptop that I bought used. It runs on Windows 98.
Unfortunately, it refuses to start even though it was working fine. When I turn it on, it shows a small padlock as if a password is required. If I press enter, I land on a strange configuration menu that is used to scan the hard drive. But once the scan is finished, nothing happens, and I cannot launch Windows at all.
Is there a way to format everything? To create a bootable diskette? I have a Windows XP CD that comes from my desktop computer, but that's all.
Thank you for your help.
PS: I don’t know much, so please be very explanatory ;)
Configuration: Windows XP Internet Explorer 7.0

3 answers

  1.
    userbear Posted messages 547 Status Member 122
     
    Given the age of the PC, the best way to format it is to open the window and make it do a double somersault.

    Just kidding, you can look here, the method has already been provided.

    format an ibm thinkpad computer

    Arm yourself with patience, formatting is a long and tedious process especially if you don't have all the drivers in your possession.

    --
    The essential thing is not to live but to live well.
    1
  3. userbear Posted messages 547 Status Member 122
     
    On the page I indicated to you, you have the method to format your PC to Windows 98.

    Try to boot your PC from the disk drive and insert the Windows 98 CD.

    --
    The essential thing is not to live but to live well.
    0
    1. fany.francis Posted messages 3 Status Member
       
      OK, I downloaded and burned the CD.
      The computer seems to boot from the CD but it still shows "174" as an error message.
      Can't access the BIOS.
      0