Thinkpads Forum

I've found the BIOS password and the HDD Lock password are case insensitive, also, the Master HDD password doesn't appear to be working as advertised, eg, the Master HDD password doesn't unlock the HDD when the User HDD password does ... any ideas?


Also, does anyone have experience with deploying these passwords to hundreds of Laptops? There is something called RDM Remote Deployment Manager, what does it take to implement this?

I think I can help with the first question... There are two modes - password and passphrase. Password is, I believe, case insensitive, limited to 7 or 8 normal ASCII characters (no extended characters). Passphrase is much more flexible. If you dig around in the BIOS you should find the spot to change modes.

I also seem to recall that the Master password is only used to clear an unknown user password. It won't actually unlock the drive the way the user password does.

No clue on remote deployment.

Ed Gibbs

g1smith wrote:Also, does anyone have experience with deploying these passwords to hundreds of Laptops? There is something called RDM Remote Deployment Manager, what does it take to implement this?

Remote Deployment Manager is an IBM product and I don't see why it wouldn't work. You'll need a boot server and a network of target systems to deploy your machines using the above approach of RDM.

Download the following book for in depth analysis:

Remote Deployment Manager (Right click and Save Target As). It will tell you exactly what you need.

Lenovo offers LANDesk Management Suite for ThinkVantage, it can be used on large scale but it's usage is limited and it does not offer what you're looking for but can be used for tasks similar to what RDM performs.

To unlock the HD with the master password press F1 at the HD password prompt, the prompt will change, then enter the master HD password.