[dba-Tech] Thinkpad issues

Hi John

We checked this. The info you've got is close but not correct in theory.

>From the manual:
ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/39t2191.pdf

<quote>
If you forgot your supervisor password, Lenovo authorized servicer can not 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.
</quote>

In practice, however, I would expect the cost doing it this way is prohibitive given the age of the machine, but ask for a quote.

As for the handyman solution in the provided link, I would refrain from soldering anything to the system board; instead use two needle-type measuring pins for electronic measuring and a screw mounted ground connection.
If you prefer to keep your hands off this, I fully understand that, but don't you have a local electronics repair shop or school? Any clever electronic capable youngster could assemble the few parts and carry out the operation in half an hour (if the board contains the chip in question).

/gustav

>>> Gustav at cactus.dk 04-07-2008 23:40 >>>
Hi John

Well, it isn't much different from the situation where you have encrypted your harddisk and forgot the password. No one is able to bring back your data and no one is to blame except yourself (the client). He must understand that a secured system is either secure or not.

That said, we'll double-check this for you at our local representative. I'll be in touch.

/gustav


>>> john at winhaven.net 04-07-2008 17:18 >>>
Hi Gustav,
I called the support line for the TP Z60t and the fellow said there is no
way to do this.

I posted a question on the Lenovo ThinkPad forum and haven't received a
single reply. Apparently they assume the laptop has been stolen and do not
recover these laptops if the password is forgotten.

I really don't want to spend a couple of hours and $100 trying to hack into
a 4 year old laptop, only to make one little mistake and ruin it in the
process!

This incident has sealed my opinion of buying (or supplying) ThinkPad's in
the future. It's a shame too, because they are really nice notebooks.

John B.


-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com 
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Gustav Brock
Sent: Friday, July 04, 2008 5:00 AM
To: dba-tech at databaseadvisors.com 
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Thinkpad issues

Hi John

Well, then we must be talking about the supervisor password as described
here:

  http://sodoityourself.com/hacking-ibm-thinkpad-bios-password/ 

You can see if you can locate that chip on your machine.

We wouldn't go this far with a client's legitimate machine but turn it in to
the service shop were they must have a prepared tool to handle this.

/gustav