Unlocking Think Pad Bios

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Bribie G

Adjunct Professor
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Silly female friend of SWMBO has a BIOS password on her IBM Think Pad Lenovo R61 (obviously may have been an old work computer as nobody in their right mind would want a BIOS password - didn't think to ask how she got the machine but she's not a crim type) and she's forgotten what it is. Looks to be maybe six years old, running Vista?????

Any hints on bypassing or erasing the PASSWD? I've done some Googling, Think Pad is a bugger apparently, and all I can come up with is:

Try finding a backdoor password
Try removing battery and short out the capacitors
Try jumping something nerdy

I haven't opened it up yet, as I'm a master disassembler but not a good reassembler.

Any hints appreciated

Cheers

:rolleyes:

Off to work now, will check back tomorrow so not being ungrateful if I don't reply before then.
 
Try this method - no disasembly required (other than removing the memory cover)

1. Power off the computer
2. Remove the DIMM cover on the bottom side of the computer.
3. Short-circuit the two password pads or put a jumper on the contacts to short the circuit.
4. Under the short-circuit condition, power on the computer and wait until the POST ends. After the POST ends, the password prompt does not appear. The power-on password is removed.
5. Reinstall the DIMM cover.

Cheers
Dave
 
SNUCK ON AT WORK HENCE CAPS LOCK, THANKS AIRGEAD WILL GIVE THAT A STAB WHEN I GET HOME :icon_cheers:
 
NO WE ARE VERY HAPPY HERE, WE JUST LIKE TO SHOUT AT OUR CUSTOMERS. BASTARDS.
 
BribieG said:
NO WE ARE VERY HAPPY HERE, WE JUST LIKE TO SHOUT AT OUR CUSTOMERS. BASTARDS.
Click to expand...

If you worked at Vodafone, you wouldn't even need to shout, they just don't answer... and it's not like you can send them a text today!
:rolleyes:
 
Yes that was hair raising, not our department but we were getting abused on directories as well - all fixed now AFAIK.
 
BribieG said:
Yes that was hair raising, not our department but we were getting abused on directories as well - all fixed now AFAIK.
Click to expand...

I'm a Voda client... I called up Sanjiv (James) on thursday night and discussed some billing irregularities...as I am a 'value customer Mr Smith' he gave me some credit :lol:

Unable to send a text this morning - still not arrived, but calling works. You'd think atop Mt Tibrogagan the reception would be OK!
 
BribieG said:
Only goes up to page 26 unfortunately :(
Click to expand...

Odd.. works fine for me...

Here's the relevant section (formatting gets stuffed up in the copy... apologies)-

How to remove the power-on password
To remove a POP that you have forgotten, do the following:
(A) If no SVP has been set:
1.Turn off the computer.
2.Remove the battery pack.
For how to remove the battery pack, see 1010 Battery pack on page 61.
3.Remove the backup battery.
For how to remove the backup battery, see 1110 Backup battery on page 79.
4.Turn on the computer and wait until the POST ends.
After the POST ends, the password prompt does not appear. The POP has been
removed.
5.Reinstall the backup battery and the battery pack.
(B) If an SVP has been set and is known by the servicer:
1.Turn on the computer.
2.When the ThinkPad logo comes up, immediately press F1 to enterBIOS Setup
Utility.
For models supporting the Passphrase function, press F1 while the POP icon is
appearing on the screen; then enter the POP. For the other models, enter the
POP.
Note:To check whether the ThinkPad computer supports the Passphrase
function, enter the BIOS Setup Utility and go toSecurity -->Password. If the
Using Passphrase item is displayed in the menu, this function is available on
the ThinkPad computer.

3.SelectSecurity, using the cursor directional keys to move down the menu.
4.SelectPassword.
5.Select Power-On Password.
6.Type the current SVP in the Enter Current Password field. then leave theEnter
New Password field blank, and press Enter twice.
7.In the Changes have been saved window, press Enter.
8.Press F10; then, in the Setup confirmation window, selectYes
 
Thanks, I'll try again. It only loads the first 20 or so pages when I bring up that page.
 

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