What to do if Computrace is activated in your TP BIOS

[rails]

So i purchased a Thinkpad t540P second hand. It is supposed to be a decommissioned laptop from a corporation. Supposedly it got issued late and had very little use. It looks that way....no signs of wear and/or tear. The hard-drive was wiped. I have an OEM license for Windows 7 which I installed. So i did a fresh install of Windows 7. I also updated the bios since it is an older machine. When I went to make sure the bios updated correctly, i saw the note from absolute Computrace. Under security (anti-theft) it is listed as enabled/not activated. I cannot select anything on this screen. I contacted Absolute at the number provided and they have no record of the machine based on the information I provided, which sounds crazy in that their program is on the machine and based on what I have read in this forum ALL Thinkpads have this installed. Bottom-line there is nothing for them to deactivate as my machine apparently doesn't exist.

I read many articles on this forum (which is excellent btw) and all of the referenced services and programs are present. I can't stop them, delete them, or modify them. The seller says it is a used machine in excellent condition and will not offer a refund. I cannot tell for sure, but from what I read it seems there is no "end-user method" to deactivate or remove this program. I have seen a few references to enlisting someone who works at deep levels within the computer but i don't know what that means exactly or who such individuals are really or how to find one.

Based on everything I just said above, should I scrap the machine and just take it as a loss? I can't really afford that but I also can't take the risk of working on a potentially stolen machine and having my files/work compromised or remotely wiped-out later on.

any advice our counsel?

Roger

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the Forum.
You should be able to click on Enabled and change that to Disabled or Permanently Disabled (HIGHLY recommended).
Can you change ANYthing in the BIOS?
If not, then you have a Supervisor Password in the BIOS.
In that case a motherboard replacement would be your best solution (or learn to live with it)

As such, no access to the BIOS does NOT mean that the machine has been stolen!

[rails]

I'm such a dummy. I got into the bios before I purchased but didn't attempt to change anything. No I can't change anything. It's read only. Uggggh! So the only work around for an I know supervisor bios password is a new motherboard?

[Cigarguy]

Yes, unless the previous owner knows the password.

Having Computrace enabled is bad enough but having supervisor password enabled is worse in my books. Personally a system with both enabled is a no go for me.

[rails]

So the seller is totally unwilling to take the machine back. I looked up motherboards for a t540P and saw a range of $149 to almost $400. What are the watchouts on ordering a mother board and is this really something that can be end-user installed? I'm fairly handy with electronics but this would be the biggest project ive undertaken. Is the motherboard the only item I would need? Any advice would be appreciated.

Roger

[RealBlackStuff]

If you bought it on eBay, you can try and open a case "Not as described" to (hopefully) return it and get your money back.

To find out exactly which motherboard you need, enter your Serial # (without any -) here: http://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/partslookup
The motherboard there is also known as PLANAR or BDPLANAR and the P/N looks like e.g. 04X5257

The T540p comes with different mobos with either Integrated graphics or Discrete switchable graphics (Optimus).
It also has different Windows keys (W7 or W8) in BIOS, and comes with or without AMT and with or without TPM.

If you have Optimus, you can also look for an Integrated motherboard.
If you have Integrated and want Optimus, you would also need an additional discrete fan.
Anything else can be transferred from your "old" motherboard.
Just in case: T540 and T540p use the exact same motherboards.

Make sure there is NO password and NO enabled/activated Computrace on your purchase!

Get the partslist here: http://download.lenovo.com/parts/ThinkP ... 131107.pdf
Get the HMM manual here: https://thinkpads.com/support/hmm/hmm_p ... 003_01.pdf

Before you start taking the machine apart, read the HMM and make a drawing of the bottom, with all its screwholes marked.
Then tape the screws on the drawing as you remove them.
Do the same for the inside(s), so you don't mess/mix up the screws.
Don't force anything and don't rush.