Thinkpads Forum

To anyone with a 390x and lots of experience:

Believe it or not, my TP390X "self-generated" a Power-On PW while installing Linux. I have tried to no avail to recover it and or bypass it. Upon disassembly I found a 4-switch module at the rear of the PCMCIA jack. In my research about passwords I found that some systems utilize dip-switches to clear the password. I am curious as to if anyone know if that is the function of these switches. Thanks in advance.

i doubt it..
contemporary thinkpads could have the power on password removed by powering on while shoerting two tine solder pads..
the 701 is a prime exqample of this..

if you have a hardwasre maintenance manual it should show where these pads are located IF the 390 has them at all..

good luck..

I've got a new motherboard on the way (from eBay, so we'll see how that goes). Hope fully the on board 10L1433 is swappable for the 12P3013 I've ordered. Will post back with results.