What's wrong with my Tecra S11?

[Ceaus]

I purchased a written off Tecra S11 from my employer. I booted from USB, installed openSUSE on it and went on my merry way.
The laptop ended up on my attic and I didn't touch it for at least 2 years. Now I'm looking to use it as a project laptop.
And here the fun starts 

1. I can't boot from USB anymore.
   
2. After the magic [INS] keyboard press, I get the "Supervisor password"  message. Wtf?
   
3. Eventually I cave in and use the "services" from an internet "entrepreneur" to work with me through the challenge/response sequence.
   
4. The response code is accepted.
   
5. Now I should get 3 options [F1] [F2] [F3] where [F2] is platform setup.
   
6. I hit [F2] and the laptop simply reboots. No BIOS, no nothing.
   
7. I suspect the BIOS has gotten corrupted and I order a new BIOS. I solder the BIOS onto the motherboard and retry everything.
   
8. Same as before, I hit [INS] again I'm presented with the supervisor password. Wtf?
   

Right now I'm totally flabbergasted as to what is going. Any help?

Edit: [*]Now I should get 3 options [F1] [F2] [F3] where [F2] is platform setup
I only get [F2] Platform Setup. [F1] and [F2] are not displayed.