T60 with security chip

[winslow]

Just bought a T60 off ebay, it came with the security chip. It keeps asking me to activate the chip so it can record my fingerprints for security logon. My question is what happens if the reader goes south, will the sysem be inoperable? Is there a bypass to get around the fingerprint reader? Is it possible to just leave the security chip inactive and is that advisable?

it came with the X1300 video card, DXDIAG has it listed as 512, is this correct? Is this a fairly good videao card? Machine was manufactured in June of 08.

Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Mark

[RealBlackStuff]

You can disable the FPR in BIOS/Security, as well as disable the security chip there.
You can also uninstall CSS.
Unless you are paranoid about who can access your laptop (like a nosy little brother/sister), I would never bother with FPR.
Technically, if the FPR is set up and fails, you should be required to use a supervisor or power-on password.
Go play with the T60 BIOS simulator to see the options 'live': http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-64884

[TuuS]

You can use the FPR for windows logon only, so it doesn't use the bios at all. If the device fails, or you get abducted by aliens who cut off your fingers (I really hate when that happens), you can simply type your password... well... perhaps not simply, but maybe with your elbows, nose, or toes?

But seriously, I like the FPR, it makes logging into windows very easy, and instead of registering ten different fingers, I regester the same ones from different angles so if I'm laying in bed and reach up for my laptop I can swipe it without having to align my finger to the way it was recorded. I also have been planning on seeing if I can design some type of graphic that I can record, then I could use it like a key so I can let others use it to log into my system without giving my account password. I have no idea if it will scan something that isn't a finger print, but it sounds like an interesting idea.

[winslow]

So the security chip is just for the fingerprint reader then? When I was setting up the system for first time use (obviosly after a system reload by the seller) I didn't put in a password. I guess I'm just little paranoid about the security chip, none of my other thinkpads have one.

[winslow]

How do I get into the BIOS, It requests a password butr like I said I didnt put one, now I cant get in and keep getting the blue screen

Finally got into recue and recovery, am hoping this will restore it to the way it was when I got it. Will this wipe out the changes I apparently made in the BIOS that screwed it up? Fingers crossed

OK reloaded the system through recovery, back up and running. It only has SP2 and updates doesn't automatically offer it. Should I run a SP3 iso I have and update it that way or leave it at SP2?

[ajkula66]

Rescue and recovery will not affect BIOS.

Your machine is most likely locked with an unknown Supervisor password that limits the changes you can perform in BIOS.

I'd be asking the previous owner for the password, and returning the laptop if one isn't provided.

Do bear in mind that when (not if) the CMOS battery on that machine dies, you *will* have a brick.

BTW, X1300 is 64MB VRAM, but can "borrow" the rest from the "main" RAM, up to 512MB.

I'd be willing to bet that the laptop was made in August of '06 and not June of '08, BTW...if the code is 06/08, that is...

Good luck.

[winslow]

The laptop was up and running fine until I tried to record my fingerprints. When I reloaded the system it went back to how it was when I got it. Will I have the brick problem when the cmos battery dies regardless of other factors, is that something specific about this machine? I will go into the bios and see what the settings are.

Reloading the system didn't affect the bios password I installed but it reverted all the other fingerprint security chip changes I made. I remember a page saying the changes would be an extension of the bios, apparently when the system is reloaded it deletes changes in the bios extension area. Can you elaborate on the system crash after cmos battery thing?

[ajkula66]

Sure.

Once the CMOS battery drains the machine will lock itself due to a lack of date and time being set.

In order to set the date and time, once the battery has been replaced, you'll need to enter BIOS.

To enter BIOS, you'll be prompted for a password which is unknown to you.

I'm sure you get the picture.

[winslow]

Sure.

Once the CMOS battery drains the machine will lock itself due to a lack of date and time being set.

In order to set the date and time, once the battery has been replaced, you'll need to enter BIOS.

To enter BIOS, you'll be prompted for a password which is unknown to you.

I'm sure you get the picture.

I can get into the BIOS so that shouldn't be an issue. I screwed up when I was trying to set up the fingerprint reader and it messed up something but after some diligence was able to enter rescue and recovery and reload the system. The only thing that remained was the BIOS password I entered. As long as I can remember my first name I should be OK. Is there a way to clear the password so one isn't needed to enter BIOS?

[RealBlackStuff]

Go back in to where you set the password.
If you have a power-on-password, remove that first, then the SVP.
Enter your 'old' password, then hit the Enter key 3 times without typing anything else, confirm, and the PW is gone.

[winslow]

Go back in to where you set the password.
If you have a power-on-password, remove that first, then the SVP.
Enter your 'old' password, then hit the Enter key 3 times without typing anything else, confirm, and the PW is gone.

Thanks, you are a mountain of information. The T60 only has a 60 GB HD so naturally I will be upgrading that soon. Any idea where I can get recovery disks?

[ajkula66]

Any idea where I can get recovery disks?

Post a WTB (want to buy) ad in the forum's Marketplace and someone will come to the rescue.

[winslow]

Actually it appears I will be able to burn recovery discs with the system so I should have all I need.