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Where exactly is computrace located?
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- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2021 8:33 am
- Location: Strasbourg, France
Where exactly is computrace located?
Hey,
I just bought a "new" Thinkpad X1 carbon 3rd gen, with 16GB ram, and the first thing that I read when I boot it up is that "This machine has computrace enabled, please contact the services (phone number)"
I have bought it with a known locked bios, however in the description there was no clue that it has computrace enabled.
First thing that I do on Monday will be to call them,
HOWEVER : I am really curious. How does it work? in terms of which physical hardware piece is it located? My strong guess is that it is in the bios chip, but please confirm.
I have chosen this exact ebay listing because I had almost the same model (but the 8GB model from one year earlier, not the dual dye mikron memory one) that died recently (long story, I was stupid), and thought that getting through the bios lock would be as simple as replacing the bios chip from my old one.
I know that reflashing it would not help because it is in a hidden piece of hardware.
I have also found a lising on ebay that said T460 computrace disable bios chip.
My aim is to have an X1 carbon in working condition as soon as I can, but obviously I will do the neccessary steps if it is stolen.
Thank you for your help
I just bought a "new" Thinkpad X1 carbon 3rd gen, with 16GB ram, and the first thing that I read when I boot it up is that "This machine has computrace enabled, please contact the services (phone number)"
I have bought it with a known locked bios, however in the description there was no clue that it has computrace enabled.
First thing that I do on Monday will be to call them,
HOWEVER : I am really curious. How does it work? in terms of which physical hardware piece is it located? My strong guess is that it is in the bios chip, but please confirm.
I have chosen this exact ebay listing because I had almost the same model (but the 8GB model from one year earlier, not the dual dye mikron memory one) that died recently (long story, I was stupid), and thought that getting through the bios lock would be as simple as replacing the bios chip from my old one.
I know that reflashing it would not help because it is in a hidden piece of hardware.
I have also found a lising on ebay that said T460 computrace disable bios chip.
My aim is to have an X1 carbon in working condition as soon as I can, but obviously I will do the neccessary steps if it is stolen.
Thank you for your help
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- Location: Loch Garman, Éire
Re: Where exactly is computrace located?
Depending on model, CT is either in an EEPROM or in one of the BIOS chips.
More CT here: viewtopic.php?f=12&t=114641
More CT here: viewtopic.php?f=12&t=114641
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
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- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2021 8:33 am
- Location: Strasbourg, France
Re: Where exactly is computrace located?
Thank you, I already found that post (to be fair that post was the reason why I choose to ask it on this forum), but it did not specify what would happen if I were to replace the bios chip (not reflash, replace). Because of my understanding it is likely to be hardcoded into that chip itself.RealBlackStuff wrote: ↑Sat Nov 06, 2021 9:34 amDepending on model, CT is either in an EEPROM or in one of the BIOS chips.
More CT here: viewtopic.php?f=12&t=114641
The model is a BT20 X1 Carbon.
Re: Where exactly is computrace located?
Return the laptop if you still can... or cut your loses and part the machine out.
X301: SU9600 | 8GB | 1TB | WXGA+
X1C5: 7600U | 16GB | 1TB | FHD
X1C9: 1145G7 | 16GB | 1TB | WUXGA | WWAN
X1Y8: 1365U | 32GB | 1TB | WUXGA
P14s G1 AMD: 4750U | 32GB | 1TB | PG FHD Touch
T14 G2: 1145G7 | 32GB | 1TB | FHD
X1C5: 7600U | 16GB | 1TB | FHD
X1C9: 1145G7 | 16GB | 1TB | WUXGA | WWAN
X1Y8: 1365U | 32GB | 1TB | WUXGA
P14s G1 AMD: 4750U | 32GB | 1TB | PG FHD Touch
T14 G2: 1145G7 | 32GB | 1TB | FHD
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- Admin Emeritus
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- Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2006 5:17 am
- Location: Loch Garman, Éire
Re: Where exactly is computrace located?
Replacing a chip on such a machine won't do it.
If you can't return it, check eBay, there's a Dutch outfit that can help you.
If you can't return it, check eBay, there's a Dutch outfit that can help you.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
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- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2021 8:33 am
- Location: Strasbourg, France
Re: Where exactly is computrace located?
Good news
I called computrace and the device is not stolen
The message I got was just a general warning that the device has this software
However now I have to bake a new bios because it is apparently bios locked
BUT luckily I already have nice clean BIOS images of this model so that should be fine
Thank you all for your help
I called computrace and the device is not stolen
The message I got was just a general warning that the device has this software
However now I have to bake a new bios because it is apparently bios locked
BUT luckily I already have nice clean BIOS images of this model so that should be fine
Thank you all for your help
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- Admin Emeritus
- Posts: 23825
- Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2006 5:17 am
- Location: Loch Garman, Éire
Re: Where exactly is computrace located?
That means: CT is only enabled, but NOT activated.
Wait till the password is gone, then you can Permanently Disable it.
Wait till the password is gone, then you can Permanently Disable it.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
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