T30 BIOS related question. Please help!

[Tarmo_K]

Greetings.

The machine I have problems with:
Thinkpad T30 type 2367-86G
BIOS ver 2.05
Embedded Controller ver 1.03

First I would like to know are there any significant changes in the latest BIOS version (2.10) compared to my current BIOS? Since updating BIOS is ALWAYS risky business. Considering my situation, I will go in detail right away, even more risky.

In the BIOS I have disabled power on password and supervisor password. Lock BIOS settings is disabled also. Hard Disk 1 password is [USER+MASTER] and I can't disable that because none of the passwords work there. Also, in the startup section of the BIOS the Flash BIOS updating by End-Users is enabled [Flash BIOS can be updated without entering supervisor password]. BUT every time I either reboot the machine or power it up - it asks a password.

In short - should I update my BIOS and will it work and I won't turn my dear T30 into a paperweight?

Thanks in advance,
Tarmo

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the Forum.
If that is a Hard Disk password and you don't know it, you may as well throw it away and buy another hard disk.
Flashing the BIOS won't change that.

[Tarmo_K]

That's the weird thing. I can use the computer. Even typing this reply from the very same T30. I just enter my usual password and it boots up and does everything - I just can't remove it :S

[RealBlackStuff]

Can you tell us exactly WHEN and WHERE you enter your password?

[Tarmo_K]

I enter the password every time I:

Turn on the computer
Enter BIOS
Reboot

[RealBlackStuff]

Look at this web page, and tell us which icon you see that asks for the password:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-59377

[Tarmo_K]

The middle one. With number 1 on the picture. So the hard drive password.

[RealBlackStuff]

OK, back to square one.
You have a hard disk password.
See this page: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... JXNTY.html
If that doesn't work, we can't help you any further, other than advising you to buy another hard disk, reinstall your OS and do NOT put a password on the HD.