ThinkPad R40 huge problems -power on password

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ThinkPad R · #1 Post by **ThinkPad R** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:44 pm

Hello, I've developed a series of serious problems with ThinkPad R40

It all began today morning when I typed the power on password correctly many times but the computer rejected them

I also noticed that the startup screen with thinkpad logo on it was very slow in moving on to the power on password

I think that it has something to do with having my computer turned on with the wireless connected all night - maybe my computer got hacked (i have some downloads that might serve as trojan horses)

so i searched online for ways to get by the power on password - one from Lenovo recommended that I remove the battery, then the backup battery, then power it up, then the power on password should disappear

but the power on password stayed ( i pulled out the entire backup battery package rather than disconnecting it properly, but i dont think this should matter

and before power on password comes up, an error message shows, telling me to check time & date (probably b/c of backup battery was removed improperly - broken)

I'm not really concerned about keeping time

as much as I'd like my files back from the hard drive.

I might even have to get another ThinkPad

I hear that the IBM ThinkCentre desktops use laptop hard drives - isn't that right, so I just need to take mine out & then plug it into a ThinkCentre.... then Id be able to retrieve my files? Thanks.

egibbs · #2 Post by **egibbs** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:20 pm

It sounds like you successfully cleared the POP (hence the date and time errors indicating that the CMOS has been cleared) and are now being asked for the Supervisor Password to get into BIOS to set the date and time. You will need to remember what you set for a Supervisor password.

As far as getting files off the drive, that depends on whether you set a HDD password or not. If not your best option is to get a USB enclosure and stick the drive in that. But USB enclosures will not read a drive with a password set, so if you did set a drive password you'll need to put the drive in another machine that supports the password protocol (preferably a Thinkpad) and access it that way. If it hasn't been asking you for the HDD password for the last 4 years you either don't have one, or it is set to the same as the POP, and that should let you access the drive.

But I believe you'll need the Supervisor password to actually clear the HDD password.

Ed Gibbs

Phazer · #3 Post by **Phazer** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:28 pm

You must proceed quickly to the nearest shipping center and send me, free of charge, your R40. Then immediatley buy something different and forget you ever owned an R40 or who you shipped it to.

Just playin.... I guess it depends on how much of a challenge your up to, and how much time you can spend without this paticular laptop. Me...I sometimes enjoy a challenge, but then I'll also never admit to how much I'll bury myself, (dollar wise), in something that I should know better on.

ThinkPad R · #4 Post by **ThinkPad R** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:32 pm

in fact, that may be the case - it might be asking for a supervisor password

i don't have a hard drive password

but i do have the supervisor password - and i totally forgot what it was supposed to be (i might be able to remember it/find it)

thanks.

discoy2k · #5 Post by **discoy2k** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:15 am

if it is a supervisor password and not POWER ON PASSWORD you can reset easily by shorting the to reset test points read the maintance manual, if it is a power on password problem you will have to rewrite the security chip, the atmel with a fresh virgin bin file, MAKE SURE IT IS THE SAME MACHINE TYPE!

egibbs · #6 Post by **egibbs** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:01 am

discoy2k wrote:if it is a supervisor password and not POWER ON PASSWORD you can reset easily by shorting the to reset test points read the maintance manual, if it is a power on password problem you will have to rewrite the security chip, the atmel with a fresh virgin bin file, MAKE SURE IT IS THE SAME MACHINE TYPE!

Everything you just said is completely right in some other universe...

ThinkPad R · #7 Post by **ThinkPad R** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:45 am

so... can a thinkcentre read my hard drive? Thanks.

2897-B4U

discoy2k · #8 Post by **discoy2k** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 2:59 pm

ok, when you get the time error you should be able to press i believe F1 to continue to the password screen if your password got currupted and i have seen it many times you have to recover the 'currupted password to get into the machine, but there is a good possibility the hard drive password was not currupted it will be the same as the one you set. i have done this so many times i can't count.

here is your best option
1. read the security chip
2. recover the corrupt password and unlock the machine without the hard drive in it
3. set the password to what you had originally
4. turn it off
5. insert the hard drive and enter your password you shuld be set

that is your safest bet, if you need some help with trying send me a PM i will be glad to help
disco

ThinkPad R · #9 Post by **ThinkPad R** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:58 am

no i dont have a hard drive password

i have a supervisor password & power on password - i suspect that power on password was cleared & supervisor password's being asked

or maybe my bios was corrupted

egibbs · #10 Post by **egibbs** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:12 am

ThinkPad R wrote:so... can a thinkcentre read my hard drive? Thanks.

2897-B4U

With an adapter, sure. Any machine should be able to read the drive.

Ed Gibbs

ThinkPad R40 huge problems -power on password

by the way... R40 is like 4 yrs old, should I get another ThinkPad

ThinkPad R40 huge problems -power on password

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