Re: Resetting BIOS to factory defaults when you don´t have access to i

SC Tom wrote:

"dareys" <dareys@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:9FEA1C0A-3945-40D3-BD17-15BBE7B089C1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Greetings,

In an attempt to minimize suspected hacking on my box, I configured security
and
password protected the BIOS. I disabled a number of functions such as the
network card, all network functions and password protected all boot devices
and box itself.

In spite of having the passwords simple initially and oh my, written them
down. Yep. My BIOS is now inaccessible. I wrote my initial question a while
back and got the some good feedback.

The recommendations were;

A) Sometimes simply resetting the BIOS by removing the CMOS battery for
about 15 minutes (remove AC power cord first) will do the job.

B) Turn the computer on Without the Battery . This should Kill the password
. Turn computer off. Reinstall the Battery.

C) If Windows boots:
1.) Open a Cmd Prompt Window
2.) Invoke Debug
-o 70 2e
-o 71 ff
-q
*o denotes letter o for octal address, not numeral Zero
In most cases this will mimic the action of moving the BIOS reset
jumper without having to open the PC case.

Windows still booted so I tried A) B), or removing the CMOS battery. C)
sounded risky. Now the machine no longer boots in Windows mode and I get a
message indicating that the machine has been tampered with at boot time.

... And to boot, I still get prompted for a password... All the hardware
documentation I have, indicates that in this case the mother board has to be
replaced. Can anybody corroborate that? It is an Lenovo ThinkPad T60P.

I would appreciate any help you can afford me.

Thank you.

Jean-Pierre


From the Service and Troubleshooting guide, p.18:

http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/42t8002_a.pdf
Problem: I forgot my password.

Solution: If you have registered your computer for Password Reset Service, and you forgot your power-on or hard disk password, you can reset it by pressing the ThinkVantage button at the password prompt. v If you cannot reset your power-on password, you must take your computer to a Lenovo authorized servicer or a marketing representative to have the password canceled. v If you cannot reset your hard disk password, Lenovo authorized servicer cannot reset your password or recover data from the hard disk. You must take your computer to a Lenovo authorized servicer or a marketing representative to have the hard disk drive replaced. Proof of purchase is required, and a fee will be charged for parts and service.If you forgot your supervisor password, Lenovo authorized servicer cannot reset your password. You must take your computer to a Lenovo authorized servicer or a marketing representative to have the system board replaced. Proof of purchase is required, and a fee will be charged for parts and service.

The bad part is that it looks like it's going to cost you to get it fixed. Glad I didn't buy one; I'd be hosed big time. So option C from above may be the option to try if you can get back into Windows, although my guess is it won't work either.

Here's a rather involved possible solution if you want to tackle it: http://sodoityourself.com/hacking-ibm-thinkpad-bios-password/

Best of luck,

SC Tom


That last link is very interesting. If the OP is technically inclined, he should read all of the material and follow the links. Among other things, the method described at the linked page apparently doesn't work for the T60 (different chip?), but there are tools available for that model. Also, somewhere along the way there is a discussion of devices that clip onto the chip so that you don't have to solder directly to the chip leads.

--
Lem -- MS-MVP

Apollo 11 - 40 years ago: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/40th/index.html
.

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