Thinkpads Forum

I know this may be a bit of a taboo subject, but I got my old T61 back from my mother in law (upgraded her PC).

We don't know the password, as it was set 3 years ago and she lost what I wrote it down on, and it's just been using fingerprints since then. It accepts my fingerprint, so I can easily log into Windows and the BIOS, but I don't know what to put in to clear the Supervisor and Power On passwords. I know the Power On password can be cleared by pulling the CMOS battery...

Admin edit: message Subject changed.

A word of warning: removing the CMOS battery will trigger the Supervisor password and lock you out of the machine altogether.

Yeah, luckily when I pulled the CMOS battery to clear the password, I didn't manage to brick it, as it still took my fingerprint.


I was able to get the BIOS cleared, the password ended up being my wife's middle name. Luckily when my mother-in-law got home she was able to remember it after I explained what I was looking for.


So, BIOS is free and clear of passwords, fingerprint enrollment has been cleared.

Now to decide whether I should keep it as the Linux laptop it replaced (we gave that to my mother-in-law), or fix it up and sell it off. I just got a free MSI MS-1651 with no screen (hinges were busted in such a way that the lid was destroyed) with comparable specs, no battery, but better video.

What could I expect for a price?

T61 7664-RYU
T8100
14" 1440x900
Quadro 140M (IIRC)
4965AGN
Bluetooth
100GB 7200RPM HDD (I'm pretty sure that's what it came with, certainly what it's been running since I gave it to them)
DVDDL
AC adapter
6 cell battery shows red, hold 43% of original charge
fan's noisy but works fine.
XP COA

What is the date code after the TYPE 7664-RYU S/N L3-12345 on the bottom sticker?
It's in format YY/MM, e.g. 06/08 = 2006/August

RealBlackStuff wrote:What is the date code after the TYPE 7664-RYU S/N L3-12345 on the bottom sticker?
It's in format YY/MM, e.g. 06/08 = 2006/August

It's 08/01.

Sorry to inform you, but nVIDIA models built before 08/08 are not holding there value very well. I recently bought a similar machine without HDD and other accessories for $60. After adding a replacement motherboard (w/Intel GPU), battery, AC adapter, 4GB RAM and HDD my total investment the T61 came to about $120. You're probably looking at a price point somewhere around there for a complete kit.

If it were mine, I'd swap the fan and use it as-is until the GPU blows which might be 5 minutes or 5 years from now.

That's a *very* early Penryn board, throw in a SSD after you've flashed the BIOS with Middleton's modded one and you should have a very solid performer even by today's standards.

But replace the fan ASAP...these machines should be cooled properly before anything else, to get the most time out of them...

ajkula66 wrote: But replace the fan ASAP...these machines should be cooled properly before anything else, to get the most time out of them...

I second that. I'd also avoid unnecessary heat/cool cycles, leave it on or off, not back and forth (don't use standby) and keep the cooling system in good shape. This will all help avoid any gpu issues.

Two questions, does this (the heat issue and nVIDIA chip) apply to my T61p (08/04) as well? I have not had any problems like this with my machine to date, but perhaps one should be aware of it!?

And where can one find this Middletons BIOS? Is there one for the T61p as well?

I have an intel 330 120GB SSD in the machine right now and it is ok, but I could always do with more performance. The biggest problem however is that the machine freezes from time to time. Half a minute to a full minute of solid disc light and a frozen Windows. After that it will work as usual again. Is there a fix for this?

Thanks all!

Middleton's bios can be found here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo- ... ion-8.html

It's about middle of the page, row 5. Simple to install. On my T61 and Vertex 3 SSD the speed went from 145 MB/S to 209 MB/S in ATTO.

Specter wrote:...does this (the heat issue and nVIDIA chip) apply to my T61p (08/04) as well?

Yes, a 08/04 machine most likely has a defective nVIDIA chip, but that is not a guarantee of failure.