Removed backup battery, power-on password still there.

[argem]

Hi,

Something very not so nice has happened to my X41. It does not accept the characters in my power-on-password at boot time. This is the scenario:

1. In WindowsXP, I create a new Administrator-user, enrolls new fingerprints and remove the fingerprints for the old administrator-user. I also enter the same password I always use. (Basically I wanted to use another Administrator with my own name instead of the default created at Windows XP installation).

2. I reboot, and and the computer asks for my fingerprints. Now the following happends!

2a. I swipes my finger, OK.
2b. A request for a power-on password appears. I start to enter my password, which has a %-character in it. The computer does not allow other characters than alpha numeric ones!

What the heck?! I have used the same password through my entire system. I have never entered another password.

3. I call IBM customer support who tells me that this icon is a power-on password icon, which can be removed by removing the ordinary and the backup battery.

4. I go ahead and remove the batteries, power up my computer and waits for it to post. According to the hardware manual (http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-59377), after the post the password should not appear. But it does! another what the heck?!


Anyone got any idea of what I can do? Despite it seems like therese a bug in IBMs whole password/fingerprint enroll "thingie", I agreed to try to removing it myself. What _should_ happend is that IBM replaces my mother board for free. But it's my word against theirs, and we all know I'm not winning that battle.

[JHEM]

Something very not so nice has happened to my X41. It does not accept the characters in my power-on-password at boot time.

Try entering the corresponding digit rather than the % sign. On my US keyboard that would be the number 5.

Report back.

Regards,

James

[argem]

Hi JHEM,

I think I've tried that before, but gave it a shot anyways. No luck =(.

I really can't understand why I still get the password request despite I've removed the backup battery.

[egibbs]

You may have a Supervisor Password set.

Can you get into BIOS?

Not sure if the X41 supports passphrases or not - but if you entered the password in Passphrase Mode (which supports extended characters) and t somehow got switched to Password Mode (which does not) that could explain things. The setting is in Bios.

Ed Gibbs

[argem]

Hey,

Can't get into BIOS either, the same password message appears when I try that.

I'v completely given up hope on this. Right now, I feel like throwing the computer in the trash and forget all about having it, I don't have time messing around. Cost me about $2000 for 5 months with it. Big bang for the buck ratio, especially since I'm a poor student. =\.

[JHEM]

Can't get into BIOS either, the same password message appears when I try that.

You have a Supervisor Password set.

Your options are very limited. Was this purchased used? Could you contact the seller and see if they might remember the password?

Could you have set this PW yourself and forgotten? Try entering any PW you "normally" use.

Report back.

Regards,

James

[argem]

I'm the first owner, and it is I who has set the password. I still feel kind of sure that I have used the same password through my entire system, and that IBMs finger sensor password thingie is faulty.

Isn't it strange that the icon that pops up is a power-on password icon? And shouldn't the Supervisor password allow other than alpha numeric characters(a-z, 0-9)?

[egibbs]

Isn't it strange that the icon that pops up is a power-on password icon? And shouldn't the Supervisor password allow other than alpha numeric characters(a-z, 0-9)?

It depends on whether it is in Password or Passphrase mode. Passphrase mode will allow extended characters, Password mode will not. I suppose it is possible that the mode somehow got switched to Password with a Passphrase saved, though it's supposed to make you remove the Passphrase before you can switch modes.

I can't comment on the FP reader and software - when it came out I thought it was a questionable gimmick so I ordered one of the last machines available without it.

I assume you've tried entering a blank password (just hit enter at the prompt).

There are a couple of unauthorized ways to remove a Supervisor Password (Google Thinkpad Password Removal) but they are messy - either have to send the machine to Canada, or build an interface circuit and solder it to your motherboard.

Ed Gibbs

[argem]

Do you know of any documentation online from IBM that demonstrates this behaviour that power-on passwords should be alpha numeric and supervisor passwords should allow other characters.

Since I have removed my backup battery and still get the password request at boot, the password is a supervisor pass. But I can't enter other characters than alpha numeric ones, so clearly there's a bug in IBMs software.

My plan is to call IBM and refer to this document stating that a supervisor password allows non alpha numeric ones.

[schen]

This may sound really stupid, but it's happened to me. Is the numlock on for some reason? If it is, take it off first then try your password. I've done this when I've had my TP in a dock and shut down with the numlock engaged on the fullsized KB and find that I can't log in the next time when my TP is undocked.