Thinkpads Forum

Hi,

how can I disable/ remove computrace from X60?

I'm assuming from your question that it already has been activated. Therefore, my understanding is that you have to contact the makers of Computrace (Absolute Software at http://www.absolute.com) and get them to disable it. If you believe that you are in possession of a stolen item, then I'd contact the seller and have them talk to Absolute.

I don't know if it is activated, and I don't believe this is stolen. This is first time I have seen this on about 10 Thinkpads. And I only notice it when I access BIOS, it prompts something about Computrace.

The Computrace system is a fairly recent addition (about two years ago). Part of it is built into the BIOS so that's what you are seeing. My understanding is that there's three options: enabled, disabled, permanently disabled. You should be able to check the setting somewhere in the X60 BIOS. The X60 I have with me today does not appear to have it installed.

I can't find any settings relating Computrace in BIOS.

The option in the bios is only in later models. (newer than X61) You need to contact absolute software. They will want the machine serial number and the motherboard serial number. You will also need to supply "proof of purchase", like a receipt. They will contact the owner they have on file and get the OK to remove it. Assuming it is not stolen, they will then "flag it for delete". After that, the next time you connect to the internet or have an open internet connection, a miracle will occur and it will be gone. Send the stuff I mentioned to TechSupport@absolute.com.

Thanks, I will try and do that.

Yeah, it worked. Funny thing, this is the answer I got:

Please be advised that Computrace has been removed from your computer.

The information you see regarding Computrace when you enter the BIOS cannot be removed. It is simply an indication that the device is capable of utilizing our Computrace BIOS agent and not an indication that Computrace is actually installed.

But the notification was also removed.

The code is always in the BIOS. It is activated or deactivated the same way that the password stuff is activated or deactivated, except, in the case of Computrace, you are not the one doing it.

I just did this for two X61 Tablets after reading this thread from several years ago. The old email link didn't work and I just had to submit the serial numbers through the contact form on the Absolute software website. I got a reply a day later. I just said that I had bought them on eBay. They didn't ask for any further proof of purchase. They did tell me the Computrace notice would be gone and that is how I would know the software was no longer active.

I had to use an ethernet connection for the deactivation to happen. For some reason it wasn't going through on wifi. Very much recommended to anyone getting a Thinkpad with Computrace. It doesn't just send information about where the laptop is, the software works with the security chip and the OS wouldn't boot if I disabled the security chip in the BIOS or if I messed with other BIOS security settings like erasing fingerprint data. With Computrace disabled, I can do what I want with the BIOS and still boot.

MisterB wrote:The old email link didn't work and I just had to submit the serial numbers through the contact form on the Absolute software website.

I have one T61 with computrance but i haven't bothered with this becouse it can dye tomorrow or in next N years (it have buggy Nvidia onboard . But after your message i want to make all things done but no luck.
At Absolute software web site i use Absolute Computrance link then use Contact link. Then... Consumer and Home Office Users -> Support. And then Contact us -> Web Support Worldwide. In this web form it asks me about LoJack and product code but i have no options for computrance. And i am stuck

May be you can write some hints or link here and i'll try to walk to the end.

That is not the form I used. Here is the one I used:

https://www.absolute.com/en/support/contact/security

It is for non customers. It took a while to find it. I tried calling them but that just got me a runaround in a call center in India that was trying to sell me their products, not remove them.

jiopsi wrote:Yeah, it worked. Funny thing, this is the answer I got:

Please be advised that Computrace has been removed from your computer.

The information you see regarding Computrace when you enter the BIOS cannot be removed. It is simply an indication that the device is capable of utilizing our Computrace BIOS agent and not an indication that Computrace is actually installed.

But the notification was also removed.

first, I was notified that Computrace was never installed since they do not have a record of my serial number. Then, I got a similar notification above from Absolute. I hope the notification is eventually removed, too.

msrice wrote: first, I was notified that Computrace was never installed since they do not have a record of my serial number. Then, I got a similar notification above from Absolute. I hope the notification is eventually removed, too.

Make sure you give them the right serial number. If a motherboard was put in a new chassis, the serial number on the chassis won't be the one in the BIOS. The one in the BIOS is what they need to deactivate it.

I contacted this "Big Brother" company 2 days ago, but no reaction...
So here is software disable way:
-CMD, type:
sc stop rpcnet
sc delete rpcnet
-delete 4 files in C:\Windows\System32\
rpcnet.exe
rpcnet.dll
rpcnetp.exe
rpcnetp.dll
-detele system, but infected by computrace file C:\Windows\System32\autochk.exe
-find clean autochk.exe for your OS and place it in C:\Windows\ directory, not System32! File can be found in C:\Windows\winsxs\ for Vista/7 or Windows CD for XP.
-reboot, computrace spyware is no more until the next OS reinstall

I just noticed the preceding post that says you can remove CompuTrace by modifying software. This is absolutely not correct. See:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=114641