R60 - Supervisor password set but after reboot not accepted

[fechtelm]

Hi everybody,

I am owner of a Thinkpad R60 (9461-54G). Here the following error occurred:

1) The error occurred during initialization of the finger print software. Before the application of the finger print software all software components and the BiOS was updated (software system update).

2) The finger prints were scanned by the finger print software. After that the Windows security (Authentification during Winlogon) as well as the power on Security was activated in the finger print software.

3) In the BIOS Setup an alphanumeric supervisor password, as well as a power on password was set, its character sequence (a number in the first and last place, between them 5 capital letters). I used a well known password, and the same password for SVP and POP.

4) Without evident reason the Notebook rebooted ( I did not leave the BIOS setup) after setting the POP.

5) After scanning the finger print which was accepted (ACCESS granted) at the same time the POP password was required.

6) The password noted and set by me was not accepted. The computer said simply it is wrong.

7) Also the attempt to invoke the BIOS Setup (F1 entering BIOS ) and entering the set supervisor password was not accepted.


My questions:

-Did anybody has regarded the same symptoms on his R60 or a similar model. I cannot believe that I typed a password for both the POP and SVP which after that I typed always wrong (CAPS LOCK AND NUMLOCK already checked!). This would mean I have typed four times a password (set and retype for POP and SVP) with a typing error ..

-In addition, I should be able to enter the BIOS after F1 and typing the <ENTER> key at the password prompt. I should see then the BIOS settings but should not be able to change them. Am I right?


I have contacted the IBM/Lenovo support, but they say their Thinkpad BIOS is not able to make errors ("Our Thinkpad do not make any errors and if you cannot provide the password for us, you have to pay!"). Thus, this means I am the stupid user who has set "wrong" passwords and forgotten them a minute after that.

Their help offer is to change the systemboard, which I should pay completely (which would be 75% of the sale price of the whole Thinkpad).

Any answer from the community in this case would be very helpful (e.g., that I could prove that the BIOS does not behave correctly..)

Thanks in advance!

Michael

[phool@round]

Hello Fechtelm,

Have you tried typing nothing - blanks to gain access. It's possible with the sudden reboot that the password was never actually saved. Worse case, the password is corrupt due to the sudden reboot.

[fechtelm]

Hi phool@round,

thanks for your answer.
I have not enabled the password phrase so it beeps if I type blanks at the password prompt. Just typing enter also did not give access to the BIOS setup.


Bet regards,
Michael

[abvc]

Hi phool@round,

thanks for your answer.
I have not enabled the password phrase so it beeps if I type blanks at the password prompt. Just typing enter also did not give access to the BIOS setup.


Bet regards,
Michael

25% less than regular price for a major fix sounds pretty good.

[fechtelm]

Dear all,

I have just phoned with the IBM support. They say that you can access the BIOS after F1 and typing <RETURN> at the SVP prompt only, if a POP is not set.

Is this true?

Also they cannot certify that the "new" systemboard which will be exchanged against the old one is factory-new. Sounds like they use the blocked boards, reset the passwords and built them in the next thinkpad.

Best regards,
Michael