T21 Startup problem

[peeteechase]

Can anyone help a mate with a startup problem?

IBM T21 running XP, on startup displays "Error 271 date & time error" then reverts to BIOS setup screen but keyboard does not work.
I suspect the CMOS battery but can't confirm from the IBM website.
Other info. Laptop is about three years old. Just had a virus possibly Lovesan.A, cleared by trendmicro Housecall, but laptop hasn't worked since.

Any thoughts from you experts out there?

ATB, PTC

[Evo]

Numeric error codes for the ThinkPad T21 are listed here (http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-4K2MCU). It says

0271 Date and time error.

Neither the date nor the time is set in the computer. Run IBM BIOS Setup Utility to reset the time and date.

Nothing too surprising there. You get the BIOS setup utility by hitting F1 on bootup, although if the keyboard isn't working that may be difficult. Hopefully that's just a glitch from the failure code, but if it's not then it would suggest something worse.

IBM UK service are on 01475-555-055, I would hope that they would be able to help. There are more drastic solutions that spring to mind (resetting the BIOS) but it's probably worth talking to someone about it first.

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

peeteechase,

You can plug in a keyboard in the notebook's PS2 Slot. That should let you access the BIOS on bootup.

Take Care,

Richard

[peeteechase]

Thanks guys,
will pass on your excellent advice.
Best regards,
PTC

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

peeteechase,

Let us know if you are able to sort it out.

Take Care,

Richard