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how to read the HD of a "locked" T41p

T40/T41/T42/T43 Series
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ann269
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Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2018 1:49 pm
Location: Rome, Italy

how to read the HD of a "locked" T41p

#1 Post by ann269 » Wed Oct 10, 2018 2:04 pm

Dear all,

I have two old Thinkpads, an R40 and a T41p with different boot problems (the T41p is locked by a supervisor password, the R40 doesn't boot for "unmountable boot volume").
I forgot everythink I knew about those beloved laptops...
What do I need to access the content of both the HD and copy them on my current working laptop?

I would like a cheap solution if possible,
thanks a lot in advance,

A.

RealBlackStuff
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Re: how to read the HD of a "locked" T41p

#2 Post by RealBlackStuff » Wed Oct 10, 2018 2:40 pm

Welcome to the Forum.

For the R40, see this: https://www.easeus.com/data-recovery/fi ... olume.html
If successful, see the next item:

For the T41p, unless the HD is also locked by SVP, remove it and put it in e.g. your R40 or a friend's T40/T41/T42/R50/R51.
Try to boot from it there.
If OK, copy everything you need on a big enough USB-stick.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.

PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine
.

ann269
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2018 1:49 pm
Location: Rome, Italy

Re: how to read the HD of a "locked" T41p

#3 Post by ann269 » Wed Oct 10, 2018 3:15 pm

thanks!

just a question:
what if I would like to put the HDs in an external bay and connect as external to my X201p?
what should I buy ?

A.

Cigarguy
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Re: how to read the HD of a "locked" T41p

#4 Post by Cigarguy » Wed Oct 10, 2018 3:34 pm

These have IDE (pata) laptop interface so you need to find an enclosure that 1) has PATA interface and 2) is small enough to accommodate a laptop drive. Again, that's assuming the drive still works and not protected by SVP or any other drive encryption. Of course the easiest is to remember your old SVP.

GrifterGuru
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Location: London, UK

Re: how to read the HD of a "locked" T41p

#5 Post by GrifterGuru » Wed Oct 10, 2018 4:25 pm

If you only want to read the disks, or clone them to a newer sata drive, you can actuslly purchase usb cables with laptop IDE and full size IDE HDD connections.

I generally keep one in my "cable kit" (which slao includes USB and eSata to Sata interface leads amongst others and all have proven their worth within the last few days...
X31 2672-58G, M73 10AXS, M73 10AXS i7, L412 4403-72G i5,T420 4236-9N8 i7-2630QM, T430 2349-TDG, X201 3680-C85, X220 42902
Install Mojave on X220 & T420

ann269
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2018 1:49 pm
Location: Rome, Italy

Re: how to read the HD of a "locked" T41p

#6 Post by ann269 » Wed Oct 10, 2018 4:42 pm

I am giving a look online but I am lost :)

I see prices from few euros to something like 50 euros...

I just need a cable USB --- IDE or even a cable to bring power to the HD?

R40: in theory could it be possible to access the data by a Linux CD distro?

T41p: I bought it second hand maybe in 2006 and it didn't ask for any password, then it stayed unused for many years and now it asks for the SVP (the icon with the lock beside a screen)

A.

Cigarguy
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Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Re: how to read the HD of a "locked" T41p

#7 Post by Cigarguy » Wed Oct 10, 2018 5:32 pm

Depending on the setting a SVP is not required until something needs to be changed in BIOS, such as when the CMOS battery goes dead and the date/time needs resetting. Without the password you won't be able to do this.

You can still get data off the hard drive if it has not been encrypted or password protected. You need to take it out of the machine, install and/or connect to an external device, plug to another computer and pull the data that way.

GrifterGuru
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Location: London, UK

Re: how to read the HD of a "locked" T41p

#8 Post by GrifterGuru » Thu Oct 11, 2018 10:34 am

ann269 wrote:
Wed Oct 10, 2018 4:42 pm
[Snip]
I am giving a look online but I am lost :)

I see prices from few euros to something like 50 euros...

I just need a cable USB --- IDE or even a cable to bring power to the HD?

[/snip]
This is the one I use. Never had a problem reading the drive of my X31 with it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Laptop-PC-US ... :rk:3:pf:0
X31 2672-58G, M73 10AXS, M73 10AXS i7, L412 4403-72G i5,T420 4236-9N8 i7-2630QM, T430 2349-TDG, X201 3680-C85, X220 42902
Install Mojave on X220 & T420

ann269
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2018 1:49 pm
Location: Rome, Italy

Re: how to read the HD of a "locked" T41p

#9 Post by ann269 » Thu Oct 11, 2018 11:04 am

Thanks!

A.

GrifterGuru
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Posts: 156
Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 10:41 pm
Location: London, UK

Re: how to read the HD of a "locked" T41p

#10 Post by GrifterGuru » Thu Oct 11, 2018 4:23 pm

Its useful for reading 2.5" or 3.5" IDE/EIDE HDDs.

Have used mine for reading/copying from/cloning innumerable 2.5" & 3.5" drives for myself as well as friends. Best money I ever spent on a single cable.

Off-Topic I know, but I also have Sata to eSata, Sata to USB and Cross-over cables (to connect 2 pc's/laptops via ethernet without a switch/router) amongst my standard "carry at all times" cable kit.
X31 2672-58G, M73 10AXS, M73 10AXS i7, L412 4403-72G i5,T420 4236-9N8 i7-2630QM, T430 2349-TDG, X201 3680-C85, X220 42902
Install Mojave on X220 & T420

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