I did set user password of the hard drive and can't remember

[wauiwa]

Hello guys,
This is my 1st topics, found this forum after I got this problem with the HDD of T61.

Well, here is the story begins, I just start working in some company and was given T61. After used for 2-3 days, there is the email from the IT department, remind me to set the HDD password. and the nightmare begins.

I restart my laptop, press ThinkVantage button to go to the Bios set up, there is the section security, I chose the HDD password, it asked me something about set the user password only or with the master password. Well, because I think this is not my property, I just chose to set the user password because I think the master password should be set by someone like the IT administrator. my bad idea.

I maybe stupid, but currently the password security is pretty strict for something, such as my Windows logon password, I need to put at least 8 character, must consist with the upper/lower case and some number, company rules.

With that idea on my mind, I did put the pretty STRONG password, 9 digits length, for example: Wauiwa111
I typed it in with no worry because it's the same one I use with the Windows Logon. And I think I won't miss type, because it asked me to type for 2 times.

well, after that I just press ESC button a few time, it will saved and restart. Now I got the problem...

I typed in "Wauiwa111", but it shows this is wrong. I tried again for 2 times, now it's blocked. I restart and kept typing the same password on my mind, because I can't figure out what will be the other password except the one I put it on my own.

For like 10 times of rebooting, I gave up and brought it to the IT department. They inform me that there is no way to reset the password to make the HDD work again and they have to consider this is my fault and have to charge me from the payslip.

Well, they also instructed me that I shouldn't put too long and complicated password. Basically for HDD password people put not more than 4 character .. Aha..

Now comes to my question..

1. Is there any limit of the character length of the HDD password? Anyone using the HDD password more than 7- 8 character/digits?
I'm asking this because I have search someone on internet said the BIOS password limit is 7 digits. and if this is true, the password that has been set to my HDD might be "Wauiwa1"

2. I kinda accept this is my fault, but to solve this problem, Could it just simply like buying the replacement HDD with same model (hitachi), put in T61, and it will work again for sure? Because I'm afraid the HDD password was injected into the BIOS also, and it will lock my second HDD also, is this possible? I'm sure I didn't touch the other password except HDD password.

Please help me on this man, I spit out as much info in the detail as I can just to ensure you guys I didn't steal it from else where and any question you want to ask to confirm I'm the one with legal right to own this T61, please..



Thank you you all in advance.

P.S. I don't really need the information in the HDD because the IT department can do a new ghost for me once my T61 is working. But just want to confirm with you guys I only need to pay like 100USD for the new HDD and not plus the new mainboard.

I'm very scared right now because the T61 is now with the IT department, and on next Monday I need to go to company with the correct password (hopefully "Wauiwa1") or pay for a new HDD, but I'm so scared that I'm gonna have to pay for the new Mainboard (Bios).

That's why I post this topic. Just want to confirm from you guys so I can closed my eyes and sleep happily during this weekend.

[wauiwa]

Yeah, one thing real simple to ask anyone who did replacing the new HDD before.

For T61, Hitachi HDD, ff in the previous HDD you put the HDD password, when you replace it with a new one, will it require you to put that password on the first time you set up that new HDD?

Thanks all.

[ryengineer]

1. There is an option called "Passphrase" in thinkpads BIOS, once enabled it allows you to set a password up to 64 characters long but without it the limit is only 7 characters for all password options available in the BIOS (Power-on, Supervisor and HDD).

You may also note that if Passphrase is not enabled then you cannot set a password containing characters with caps lock or space.

2. If you replace the HDD, your problem will be solved for good, the HDD password is set on the drive and not anywhere on your machine, I'm speaking from my experience.

snip.....well, after that I just press ESC button a few time, it will saved and restart. Now I got the problem...snip

I think Esc doesn't save anything, F10 does, try to leave the password field blank.

[wauiwa]

Thanks a lot ryengineer, these are new knowledge to me. Especially this ..

Esc doesn't save anything, F10 does, try to leave the password field blank.

Now I can sleep happily, then on Monday I probably try with only 7 characters like "wauiwa1" and will try to put it blank also.
Thanks again ryengineer

[ATJ]

wauiwa,

I'm not sure how you got on with your HDD password problem, but you might want to try typing the password you thought you added but leave out the numbers. I had an experience similar to yours where a set password wouldn't work. It turned out that at the time I typed in the password to set it (twice), the machine was not allowing numbers. Note that numbers can be used in the password but my TP wouldn't accepted them at that time.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 454#405454