Pretty sure this is where I should put this.

My IBM Thinkpad A22m(yes I know it's old) requires a password on start-up, but I have never set one. Whenever I try to do anything when I start up it requires a password. I tryed all of the default passwords I could find, none worked. Is my laptop useless now?

Best bet is find the previous owner or company and get the P-word.

Outside of that it is basically useless.

You might find some alternative trials in this Google search:

IBM Thinkpad A22m bios password - Google Search

If your computer is second hand, often to access the Administration account leave the password line blank and continue. Once the computer has booted fully, then you can download and run SIW. If there was actually a password, read the site thoroughly, then you should be able to sort things out without much trouble.

kind regards,

Edit: When I replied to this post initially, I wrongly assumed it was your User Account you could not access, sorry for the misleading post. I have now edited it to cover a User Account entry.

Just to clarify: I assumed you were referring to a BIOS password.

Windows has nothing to do with this state.

If you are referring to a BIOS password the only options and settings are in your BIOS and on your motherboard.

No Operating System will load if your BIOS does not.

Yes, I'm pretty sure it is the BIOS password...it's just a black screen with a padlock symbol.

Everytime I put the wrong pass in an x appears, after 3 times the computer freezes.

Did you browse the Google search?

If you cannot contact the previous owner you are only left with the BIOS options of restore.

Sadly, he does not remember the password because it's been quite a while...

Bump? ^.^

I read some guides online and I tried to reset the CMOS battery by unplugging it and leaving it out for 24 hours which I did, but now when I turn it on it says "0271 Error: Check date and time settings" or something along those lines. I made sure the battery was completely in and still the same thing. Do I have any other options?

Once the computer has booted fully, then you can download and run SIW.

Did you download and run SIW as I suggested in my last post?

best regards,

You should be able to to press F1 to continue or else enter the BIOS and reset the time and date. If the password was removed.

Many motherboards also have a Password jumper that is distinct from clearing the CMOS.

You could search for this if available.

Again note this is your BIOS password and has nothing to do with Windows as obviously you cannot start your computer.

On further reflection I do recall a similar issue and so I ran a Google:

Google