Member Avatar for Freddy Fly

My problem is that I cannot start the machine.
After switching it on select bios setup I get a logo showing a lock and what looks like a battery then a series of xxxx
I triad f12 temp boot device no luck.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Rik_

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This looks like a firmware/security lock rather than a simple boot fault. Following up on points from and , here are practical, owner-safe steps and what to expect if professional service is needed.

First, gather evidence and identifiers before doing anything else: take a clear photo of the screen showing the lock symbol and the exact characters you see, and note the machine type and serial number (under the battery). That photo and SN will be required by any official support or repair shop. Try a basic power-reset: remove AC and the main battery, hold the power button 20–30 seconds, then reconnect AC only and attempt to boot. If comfortable, reseat the hard drive and RAM so loose contacts are not the culprit. Record any exact prompt text such as “Supervisor”, “Power-on” or “HDD” password — those labels matter.

If the laptop still refuses to start, contact Lenovo/IBM support or an authorized service center with proof of ownership and the photos/SN. Service technicians can confirm whether the problem requires factory-level access or component replacement, and they will explain costs. If the drive itself is password-locked (ATA security), note that the drive may remain unreadable without the password; read up on the ATA security feature set to understand data risk ().

A final note: for a very old model like a T22, repair costs can exceed replacement value. If the data on the drive is important, prioritize professional data-recovery specialists rather than DIY unlock tools or random “master-code” sites, which are often unreliable or risky.

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Member Avatar for Freddy Fly

My T22 IBM think pad wont start up. All I get is a symble of a lock and what looks like a battery sign. Tried F12 temp boot device, no good.
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Member Avatar for jak0b

The hard drive and BIOS is locked, and you are supposed to enter a code at that screen.

I am not sure if it is possible to unlock that old model in an easy non-intrusive way, but I had a similar problem with a Think pad R51 which I had to change a security chip to get working again (switched the chip with a spare from another broken R51).

If you don't know how to solder SMD chips on a motherboard, I suggest you buy a new net-book or something like that. :)

Edited by jak0b because: n/a
Member Avatar for Rik_

I am an IBM/Lenovo user and I agree with jak0b, getting past the bios password is very difficult indeed. I doubt a laptop that old is worth the cost!

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