Reset Laptop BIOS Password Thinkpad R31

[desicomputer]

Does anyone know how to remove the bios password on the Thinkpad R31? An employee left without telling us the password, I appreciate your help.

Thanks,
Subhendu

[mjc]

http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=51222

[PrntRhd]

Yep, you would call IBM/Lenovo support on this one.

[Mini-Me]

...but don't expect IBM to be very helpful.

I have had laptops before(bought in good-faith) which have then been found to have BIOS passwords on them.

Basically, I blacklist any IBM laptop now, because of this(the desktops don't seem to have this password problem), in that I NEVER EVER buy IBM laptops anymore, so that I won't get stung again by this.

The link that mjc posted is fair enough, and hopefully Budfred won't mind me quoting him here:

"We cannot determine who wishes to get past a password for a legitimate reason versus who has a nefarious reason... Since we can't make that determination and since the forum could be held responsible if someone got information from us that was then used for illegal purposes, we chose to say that we will not offer that information here... If you choose to find it elsewhere, that is your option...."

I think this is a very valid statement, and highlights the legal concerns well.

[djhusi]

Unplug the nasty machine, remove the battery and the CMOS battery (it is usually near the ram modules or the miniPCI slot). You may also try looking for a reset hole (just push in a toothpick).
IMPORTANT! ONLY USE THIS ON YOUR OWN COMPUTERS! (though it is not a usable method to gain unauthorized access)

[mjc]

djhusi...

Please read the link in my first post...that is the official word on this issue...BTW, Thinkpads may not respond to your method...

[djhusi]

(off topic)
Sorry mate.... just wanted to help. I'll be more cautious next time.

[jhone88]

This information is intended for experienced users. It is not intended for basic users, hackers, or computer thieves. Please do not try any of following procedures if you are not familiar with computer hardware. I'll not be responsible for the use or misuse of this information, including personal injury, loss of data or hardware damage. So use it at your own risk.

. B sng th Mthrbrd Jmpr:

n mst mthrbrds CMS bttr s sldrd, whch mks t dffclt t rmv th bttr. n ths cs w s nthr mthd.

lmst ll mthrbrds cntn jmpr tht cn clr ll CMS sttngs lng wth th BS psswrd. Th lctn f ths jmpr vrs dpndng pn th mthrbrd brnd. shld rd r mthrbrd mnl t chck ts lctn. f dn't hv th mnl thn lk fr th jmprs nr th CMS bttr. Mst f th mnfctrr lbl th jmpr s CLR, CLR, CLR CMS, tc.

Whn fnd th jmpr, lk crfll. Thr wll b 3 pns nd th jmpr wll b jnng th cntr pn t thr lft r rght pn. Wht nd t d, s rmv th jmpr nd jn th cntr pn t th ppst pn. .g. f th jmpr jns cntr pn t lft pn, thn rmv t nd jn cntr pn t rght pn. Nw wt fr fw scnds nd thn gn rmv th jmpr nd jn th cntr pn t lft pn.

Mk sr t trn th PC ff bfr pnng th cbnt nd rsttng th jmpr.



B. B sng Sftwr:


hv fnd tht BS/CMS Psswrd Rcvr Tl s th mst ffctv.:
BS/CMS Psswrd Rcvr Tl s prgrm tht wrks nstntl t rmv n lst r frgttn BS/CMS psswrd. Smpl bt r PC t DS nd xct th prgrm, nd gt ccss t frgttn BS/CMS psswrds n jst scnds

BS/CMS Psswrd Rcvr Tl Srvc: http://www.bspsswrdrcvr.cm/

[Whyzman]

Your use of a disclaimer still violates the accepted forum policy in this regard. Those desiring this type of information can find it elsewhere. I have munged your posted information for this reason. Any further "help" in this regard will result in your immediate removal.

Please see mjc's link above.

[Paul Komski]

Thinkpads may not respond to your method
Thinkpads such as the R31 and many other laptops with a corporate BIOS password do not retain the settings in the CMOS chip and so I agree with mjc.

It's the EEPROM chip that needs to both read from, probably decrypted and written back to. Such hacking is not trivial and the methods will not be elaborated-on in these forums for the reasons already stated.