ThinkPad 380XD: Boot issues

[LevelUp_ErikJ]

I've been working on restoring a ThinkPad 380XD for use as a bridge machine, since it has a floppy drive, optical drive and USB port. I've installed a 44-pin IDE to CF adapter with a CF to SD (then SD to MicroSD) adapter in that, and while the activity light blinks properly, it doesn't let me get past the splash screen. I know I need a boot floppy and the software restore CD to boot into something, but it's odd that it doesn't even let me access the BIOS setup menu. It also won't display the "insert floppy" screen. I'm at my wit's end when it comes to getting this thing to progress past the splash screen and memory test, so I figured I'd ask for some tips/advice.