Cant find the colon on a IBM thinkpad

Boot into safe mode by tapping the F8 key, select the option "best last known start that worked" reboot. If no go you will have to boot with Windows CD in and select reload Windows WITHOUT FORMATTING, this will reload Win and save all files EXCEPT you will have to reload all programs.

System will show CD as C: and "COPYING" doesn't make drive "BOOTABLE".
You have to let the restore CD do the whole process of FDISK, FORMAT and INSTALL.
If you want HD bootable with no "WINDOWS"
use this command at A: prompt.
FORMAT C: /S
I'd have to get out my Win/DOS notes for more.
Try "Help Format" if that doesn't work.
I would Let the CD do everything if you are not familiar with DOS installs.

Depends on what kinda format u doing..if it's thru the XP Disk ..if it is stuck at certain stage for too long and can hear rattle sound near the HDD ...it's mostly HDD error..Try dos format using dos bootable...or i would try installing Windows NT old version and upgrade..it helps huge some times..hope this is help full..good luck..cheers

Hello,
If you had bought your OS, then you would probably be having the bootable OS CD with you.
It is very simple to format your system.
Follow these steps,
1. Restart your system and go to setup by clicking the F2 key.
2. In the setup, go to boot sequence and place BOOT FROM CD at the top of the list. save changes and exit from setup.
3. Now insert the OS CD in your drive and restart the system. The system will now start from the CD.
4. This will take you to the XP setup from where you would be asked to partition the harddisk for formating the OS.
5. follow the steps given by the setup and you have your new formatted OS.
Good luck!



~regards,
Jegan

FOR WINDOW DRIVER: WWW.WINDRIVERS.COM
WWW.MRDRIVERS.COM
WWW.MOTHERBOARDS.ORG/DRIVERS
WWW.IBM.COM/THINKPADX41
WWW.MICROSOFT.COM/DRIVERS IBM THINKPAD X41
ENTER

TYPE IN THE ADDRESS BAR:
WINDOWS XP DRIVERS FOR IBM THINKPAD X41
ENTER KEY

CNANDYMANGANDY

Turn your unit off.
then turn it back on.
Watch the display carefully, Press the Blue Access IBM button when you see the message
"To interrupt normal start up, press the blue Access IBM button"
Then double click on "Recover to factory contents"
Follow the instructions on the screen.
When the Recovery process finishes, press enter.
Your computer will start with the pre-installed OS, Drivers and software.

If I could be of further assistance, let me know. If this helps or solves the issue, please rate it.
Thanks, Joe


I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/joe_8b8c2cd6ce148309

Format and reinstall this headache
Format the drive in another computer first(quicker)
then reinstall back to thinkpad
try reload the system after the format

Dont forget to save your files first before format
how it goes,
Let me know Thanks

Click HERE for info on IBM passwords

Is it a plain 9pin serial port?

You should have no problems there, if you are using a USB, you DO have issues.

What do you want to plug in?

Cheers,
- Jay.

Vince,
First of all, What operating system do you have on this machine?
If it's Win98, you can get DOS.
If it's WinXP, you will have to make a bootable CD to get into the DOS prompt.
Check out this link :
http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

You can also get into the setup from CD, by changing the boot sequence from BIOS. (If the installation CD that you have is a bootable CD)

Hope this helps.

Thanks & Good luck!