ThinkPad startup problem

[frailer]

BIL has got FIL a new ThinkPad so he can do stuff from home. When I was there over weekend, it wasn't wanting to start when pressing the start button top-right. I plugged it into the wall with the charger and it then started doing its windows thing... asking for Ctl+Alt+Del etc...
I assumed at that stage it just hadn't been charging, and it was simply a flat battery issue.
Now, he phones me and says he can't get it starting either way. It has fingerprint recog. but I don't think it's been accessed yet, so shouldn't be that.
Wondering if there's a keyboard combo or something that's required. The dummy's start sheet certainly doesn't allude to anything like that.   :undecided:

[Joe]

It doesn't start at all? Nothing on the screen?

[frailer]

Correct.   :undecided:  Yet, yesterday I got a startup happening when I plugged it into the wall socket. That's not working for him now.
Son is nearby. If he's not busy he may be able to pop in...

[Joe]

Well, plugged in, it should do something. If not it is probably serious. :laugh:

[frailer]

Yeah, just figuring next 'Help' move.   :laugh:

[Joe]

Clueless on a laptop that is completely dead. Other than no screen you aren't hearing any noise like fans or the hard drive spinning? Nothing at all?

[frailer]

Won't be seeing it until weekend. He may get it looked at before then. Just seems odd. Gotta be something really simple/obvious.