password protected R&R

[guzzi]

Tried to run restore yesterday (the big blue button), after three years its about time... but some how the password control was activated, its not my admin password, its not my surfing password so I don't have a clue what it is.
I checked the bios setup and all password controls are disabled, did the R&R password come from activating my fingerprint reader? How can I disable R&R password? If I cant would wiping the hd and starting from scratch (out of box install) be my only/best option?

The more I think about it the more I lean towards a complete wipe.
There could be some nasty code hiding in there some ware my scanners have missed

[guzzi]

Sorry forgot to add the spec’s…

T43 2686M7U
bios 2.33
XP pro 5.1.26 SP2 2600

[krcmd]

I've got the same problem. Does anyone know what password is being requested when IBM Access is launched during boot?

[egibbs]

During the setup of R&R it asks if you want to password protect the R&R workspace. If you say yes it uses whatever your Client Security password or passphrase was at the time.

Ed Gibbs

[krcmd]

At this point none of the CSS passwords that I ever wrote down work in this boot up password window.

1. what functions will I be unable to use?
2. will I be able to use the restore disks I prepared
3. Is there a way to reset this up to and including a reformat?

thank you!

[egibbs]

According to this uninstalling and reinstalling R&R should remove the password.

Ed Gibbs

[krcmd]

Thank you!

Is that all there is to it? Why would it be password protected if one can simply remove and re-install?

What do I lose if I remove and re-install?

How do I remove and where is the software available?

Thanks again!

[guzzi]

thanks for the replies everyone but...
Perhaps I didn't do the uninstall or install correctly. I still get a "verify password" window after pressing the blue "access IBM" button to start R&R.

I used windows add/remove programs to remove R&R then ran tvtrnr31_1022en.exe after downloading from IBM, restarted, then did the normal shutdown, then restarted with pressing big blue. [censored] password windows still there.

what did I do wrong?

[guzzi]

now I don’t even have thinkvantage R&R showing up in my windows :add or remove programs" window, wtf
how can I uninstall and try again?

[guzzi]

Well, if there's no simple solution for disabling this password prompted,
how about if I go into bios
make the partition visible to windows and then edit/delete whatever file holds the this password and switch?


I guess what I’d like to do at this point is make the six, seven or eight CD’s of the factory preinstall files so I can rebuild my OS from CD. I now would like to eliminate this partition as it seems to be several gig of space I could use for other files.
By making this partition visible could I access the files and create the CD?

[krcmd]

Did you ever identify the hidden file with the unknown password?

Ken Cohen

[Dimitri_P]

Use Recovery CDs to reinstall.

OR

wipe the gard droive first and then use CDs, to be 100% sure.
Fixed that for me, and I had 2 or 3 laptops like that.

[NS]

Ok, if that password is still there, no matter what you do, you will need to follow the instructions in the private message i sent to you. And yes, please do not reveal the instructions i sent to you via PM to anyone or post it on this board.

Thank you for your full cooperation.

[valdi]

I'm having a similar problem, too. I can't reinstall the factory setting without getting access to the R&R. I forgot the password.

I called IBM, and they say since this is a software issue, it's not covered under warranty.

Looking through the forum, I guess this is a VERY sensitive matter.

A lesson learned!!! Some passwords, you should NEVER forget.