Security Chip Passphrase

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milkster · #1 Post by **milkster** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 8:49 pm

I recently installed the new Client Security Solution and in order to activate some of the features it needs a password/passphrase for the security chip.....Problem is, i forgot what it is.... Can anyone tell me when i would have been asked to set the password after receiving the laptop for this? I hope this will help me remember the password.

As far as i know, my only option is to get a new motherboard if i don't figure out the password...... Is this true?

Thanks for any help

unimorpheus · #2 Post by **unimorpheus** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 1:56 pm

There's not timetable on setting the pass phrase. This feature is part of the Think Vantage software that the user can activate at any time or never for that matter. If you enabled fingerprint authentication then you probably created the pass phrase at that time. In any case if you set the security parameters to the less restrictive 'convenience' mode then you can clear the security chip in the BIOS, otherwise you may be stuck.

milkster · #3 Post by **milkster** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:05 pm

I found a way to clear your embedded security chip!!!! I called IBM/Lenovo support and here is what they told me to do:

1) Shut down your thinkpad
2) Turn on your thinkpad and keep hitting the 'ESC' key until you see the windows boot screen
3) Hold down the power button to turn off the thinkpad.
NOTE: You MUST TURN THE MACHINE OFF....If you let it boot and then choose restart you will not get the option to clear the chip!
4)Turn on the thinkpad and press 'F1' to go into bios
5)Go to 'security' then 'IBM Security Chip'
6)Now there should be an additional option that will let you clear the embedded security chip.
7)Save and exit bios

Boot normally - you will get a screen saying the machine didn't shut down properly due to step 3 above.

Thats it. No need to get a new motherboard.
FYI: This worked for me on my T43 2668-72U machine.

crashnburn · #4 Post by **crashnburn** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 7:27 pm

Whats the advantage of using this SW?

unimorpheus · #5 Post by **unimorpheus** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:02 pm

What’s the advantage of using this SW?

As I stated in my original reply there are two modes or levels of security provided by CSS. In convenience mode the security functions will deter the casual or uniformed intruder. If you select secure mode you will loose the ability to easily recover from a lost pass phrase as the BIOS security chip reset option is no longer available. A lost pass phrase with full secure mode CSS and hard drive password will require the replacement of the planar board and hard drive.

semaj · #6 Post by **semaj** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 10:07 pm

Actually there is a method to retrieving the password but i am sure a lot of people try to use it to recover stolen passwords. For my laptop i entered in a password that was 8 characters long and the bios only accepts 7 I BELIEVE. so when i entered in the password originally i typed the 8 char password and it accepted the first seven char but didnt tell me the 8th char would not be saved. When i entered in the password later it would give me an error when i typed all 8 in. if i typed the first 7 it worked like a charm. Problem was i was so sure of the password i typed in i figured if that wasnt it i had no clue. the is many places that will help you unlock the security chip. The information is out there and for free. there is a guy in romania that has the schematics to do it. It is a simple design that requires some fine soldering but it worked for my t41 laptop.

DesolataX · #7 Post by **DesolataX** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 5:42 pm

milkster wrote:I found a way to clear your embedded security chip!!!! I called IBM/Lenovo support and here is what they told me to do:

1) Shut down your thinkpad
2) Turn on your thinkpad and keep hitting the 'ESC' key until you see the windows boot screen
3) Hold down the power button to turn off the thinkpad.
NOTE: You MUST TURN THE MACHINE OFF....If you let it boot and then choose restart you will not get the option to clear the chip!
4)Turn on the thinkpad and press 'F1' to go into bios
5)Go to 'security' then 'IBM Security Chip'
6)Now there should be an additional option that will let you clear the embedded security chip.
7)Save and exit bios
Boot normally - you will get a screen saying the machine didn't shut down properly due to step 3 above.

Thats it. No need to get a new motherboard.
FYI: This worked for me on my T43 2668-72U machine.

do you repeatedly hit escape? Does this work only in convenience mode?

semaj · #8 Post by **semaj** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 6:28 pm

No. to get into the bios you need to hit f2 or the blue thinkvantage button. I do not believe escape works on all TP. Good luck if that works. please let us know

milkster · #9 Post by **milkster** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 7:38 am

From what i understand is that you need to put the laptop in 'convenience" mode (if that is what you call it when you press esc) and only then you will see that option.

Also its, F1 to go to BIOS or go the long way and press the blue button, i preffer F1....

adiflorescu · #10 Post by **adiflorescu** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 2:13 am

The same procedures worked well with a X61Tablet with Windows Tablet Edition (downgrade from Vista Business ultimate). Just to know!

SteveS · #11 Post by **SteveS** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:06 am

Note that discussion of bypassing ThinkPad BIOS password is strictly against this forum policy and the moderator should delete this entire thread.

Temetka · #12 Post by **Temetka** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 4:51 pm

I think it's against policy if discussed to clear a PW on a stolen machine, someone else's machine and so on.

If it's the owners machine and they forgot the password (which does happen) then all should be cool.

The policy (IMO) is to prevent people from unlocking TP's which have been acquired under shady circumstances.

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