What does the “Access IBM” button do on old IBM laptops
thinkpad
What does the "Access IBM" button do on old IBM laptops?
What is the function of this key?
Best Answer
What is the function of this key?
It provides access to IBM specific system utilities and information.
The ThinkPad Button is a button situated in the upper left corner of
the keyboard on modern ThinkPads. It is intended to be a means of
quick access to help and support. Technically it is nothing else than
a button that can be configured to launch a certain piece of software.
While originally it was grey and labelled ThinkPad, IBM
later made it blue and called it the Access IBM Button.
Lenovo relabelled it as ThinkVantage after it took over the
ThinkPad line from IBM.
An Access IBM button is conveniently located on many IBM keyboards to
provide one-touch access to the IBM on-system utilities and
information.
Hierarchical organization of the software simplifies access to a
universe of information and function specific to ThinkPad notebooks or
ThinkCentre desktops.
This helps individuals set up, learn, and better use their systems.
Access IBM is available on ThinkPad notebooks through one touch of the
dedicated hardware button, and on both ThinkPad notebooks and
ThinkCentre desktops through the Start menu and a desktop icon to
accommodate multiple preferences.
...
Access IBM includes unique onboard utilities and self-help tools to
assist with key tasks and resolution of common system problems. The
tools are machine-specific and designed to help save time and reduce
the organization’s user-support burden.
It was used, for example, to perform an OS recovery.
How to Restore the IBM ThinkPad T42
Restart the computer and press the "Access IBM" button above the top
row of keys on your keyboard when you first see the IBM logo screen.
The correct button on your keyboard depends on the model ThinkPad you
own.
Press the down-arrow key to move the cursor to the "ThinkPad Product
Recovery Program" option and press the "Enter" key. Once the "ThinkPad
Recovery Menu" appears, press the "F11" key to start the recovery and
restore process.
Follow the on-screen prompts to restore the ThinkPad T42's hardware
settings and software to factory defaults. When prompted to do so,
press any key on the keyboard to restart the laptop. Allow the
recovery process to finish and wait for the computer to boot into
Windows.
This is similar to Dell and HP, but instead you hold the power button in for 15 seconds with the AC and battery power removed, it discharges the motherboard of any residual voltage, sometimes this fixes small bios issues.
For a more complete bios reset, remove AC power, main battery, and then the cmos (RTC) battery, leave the cmos battery out for 15 minutes before re-connecting it. You will need to immediately enter the bios and set the date and time after this procedure.
Best Answer
What is the function of this key?
It provides access to IBM specific system utilities and information.
Source ThinkPad Button - ThinkWiki
Source ThinkPad_comfort.pdf
It was used, for example, to perform an OS recovery.
Source How to Restore the IBM ThinkPad T42 | It Still Works | Giving Old Tech a New Life