T40 - Clear Hard Drive Password

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stevenpquach · #1 Post by **stevenpquach** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:57 am

Hi, can somebody help me with a step-by-step instructions to clear my hard drive password? My T40's GPU chip just craped out on me yesterday, the same problem as Gregirie:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=57695

I really appreciate it if someone can post clear instructions for me to get from the predesktop area to the bios to clear the hard drive password and also, if possible, post screen shots for reference.

Thanks in advance.

andyP · #2 Post by **andyP** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:04 am

Hi stevenpquach, welcome to the forums,

To get into BIOS press F1 instead of the Access IBM button when starting.
In the Hardware Maintainance Manual, (pg 37 of pdf file), you have an explanation of how to delete known passwords.

stevenpquach · #3 Post by **stevenpquach** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:28 pm

Thanks for the help Andy, but the manual is useless to me if I can't see the display since the graphics are messed up and I can't select the right options to clear the hard drive password. I need clear step-by-step instructions like press the down arrow key # of times to highlight "Security", # of times down to highlight "Password", ect.

It would be handy if there are screen shots of the bios so that I can follow, but I can't find any.

#4 Post by **richk** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:18 pm

You are going to need a second machine to stick the drive into. A thinkpad would be best, because it would encode the characters the same way when passing the data to the drive. The key sequence to get into the BIOS depends too much on your hardware and the bios version. You are going to need a program to communicate with the drive. I am afraid we are getting too close to a discussion that would be called "hacking". Send me a PM.

stevenpquach · #5 Post by **stevenpquach** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:14 pm

What I'm trying to do does not require any "hacking." I did a little searching on the web and I found a service and troubleshooting guide for the T40 on IBM's website. The guide lists the setup parameters on the main bios menu:

-> Config
-> Date/Time
-> Security
-> Startup
-> Restart

I found a screen shot of the t40's main bios menu and it lists the selectable options the same as the ones listed in the service guide. Now what I need is the list of selectable options under "Security" and "Password." The service guide doesn't list any further options besides the main bios menu.

Thats the only information that I was able to find from searching the web. I need to clear the HD password so that I can connect the HD to a USB enclosure and connect it to a computer to access my files stored on it.

andyP · #6 Post by **andyP** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:54 pm

How's about connecting an external screen? You should then be able to see what you're doing. The key combination Fn+F7 will help you switch between displays should it be necessary.

stevenpquach · #7 Post by **stevenpquach** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:00 pm

Its the same thing with the external screen. I have the same exact display problem as Gregirie.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=57695

andyP · #8 Post by **andyP** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:05 pm

As richk wrote, your best bet is another TP. Then it can definitely be solved.

EDIT: And you will not have to hack anything as you know the pw.

stevenpquach · #9 Post by **stevenpquach** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:20 pm

Thanks for the help anyways, I guess I have to find another TP. I was hoping that someone can at least give me a list of bios options for Security and Password.

#10 Post by **richk** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:39 pm

There is a bios simulator, but as I said, it depends on hardware. For example, under security, it shows you need to tab past passphrase, while this option does not appear on T40.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... -SIMS.html

stevenpquach · #11 Post by **stevenpquach** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:03 pm

Thanks richk. I didn't know that IBM had a bios simulator. I was able to clear my HD's password using the simulator as a reference to navigate the bios menus on my TP. I now have access to my files, thanks a lot for your help!!!

egibbs · #12 Post by **egibbs** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:10 am

richk wrote:There is a bios simulator, but as I said, it depends on hardware. For example, under security, it shows you need to tab past passphrase, while this option does not appear on T40.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... -SIMS.html

Holy crap - that is so cool!

Ed Gibbs

fredstev · #13 Post by **fredstev** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:19 am

That IS cool. You get to practice hosing your TP before you do it for real.

T40 - Clear Hard Drive Password

T40 - Clear Hard Drive Password

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