HELP! trashed notebook? how to fix?

I was experimenting with dual installs (win 2000 pro and a number of linux flavours) on my IBM X20. The last one i tried was DesktopBSD which installed perfectly- and then asked me to reboot, with the reminder to remove the CD before the pc started up. I did that. The computer whirrs and the screen goes blank as it it's about to start up- and then flashes back to a plain 'IBM Thinkpad' screen. It won't even let me access the BIOS or the boot order- if I try, the screen freezes and nothing happens. I've tried to rescue the situation with a number of live cds and system rescue cds, but the same thing- whirring, screen flashes black, and then back to a 'IBM Thinkpad' screen. Nothing more.

Is there any way I can fix this? Will I need to replace the HDD? If so, where can I get them- I'm basedin the UK. I can't believe this has happened- this model was on DesktopBSD's 'compatible' list!

 

Even if there is something wrong with the hard drive it should still let you past the ThinkPad screen. Perhaps re-seating the hard drive and/or memory will help. I'm just throwing out ideas.

 

Sounds like you really screwed up your laptop. Glad my T43 is working. I wouldn't dream of installing dual operating systems, but that's just me.

 

if i can suggest you (but i dont know whether it would be a solution or perhaps just an alternative to work around the problem) is install single boot with the os that you prefer the most then using something like virtual pc software (or vmware) you can install second or even third os on top of your primary os. os inside an os. i often use this with various windows oses. never tried with different oses with this setup/configuration though. hope that help.

later,
skyflyer

 

Dual booting per se has never been an issue- I've run dual boot Win/Lin before on the IBM with no hassle; it's actually pretty easy to set up and run.

The problem is this case has been that -unknown to me- for BSD to work with an X20, you need to upgrade the BIOS. Despite the fact that the X20 is on the compatible list for that distro, they don't actually make it clear that it's ONLY compatible witrh an updated BIOS. If you use it with an older BIOS, you end up with a situation like mine. I only discovered this when researching in order to find out what the problem was. Now I'm royally PO with BSD for not making this very clear.

Thanks for the suggestion, skyflyer, but at the moment it won't boot ANYTHING- even to run a cd for installing.

 

Perhaps there is a way to reset it. You might want to post this over on ThinkPads.com.