Resetting bios password.

[Armitage]

I just came across a nice IBM Thinkpad 770 laptop in a closet at work. When I booted it up, I got to a prompt at the bios that asks for a password.
Nobody here even knows who this system was assigned to anymore, so the chances of finding the password are essentially 0

Is there anyway to bypass or reset this password so the machine can be used again.
Thanks

 

[Beau]

Open 'er up and take out the bios battery. Be careful though, lots of little wires in there.

 

[minendo]

Link

I did a search on Google and came up with the above link. The link discusses using this manual to get around the BIOS password. Hope you can figure this one out.

 

[scorpiots]

on the model IBM 600, there is a paper clip hole on left hand panel that you can try. but if its power on HD password, the password may be stored in the HD.

good luck

 

[Chad]

You can just re-flash the BIOS also. You may have newer versions out anyhow and this could be a good opportunity to upgrade your BIOS flash while at the same time getting rid of the password.

 

[Armitage]

<< Link

I did a search on Google and came up with the above link. The link discusses using this manual to get around the BIOS password. Hope you can figure this one out. >>



The link you gave doesn't cover this model, but you put me on the right track.
I found that there are 3 passwords that can be set. Power-on, supervisor, and drive. The power-on password is the one that can be reset with the jumper-shorting trick.
Unfortunately, it appears that this system has the supervisor password set (which ussually means the drive password is set also).
There is a company (Nortek that says they can reset these passwords, but it would cost about $180 plus 2 way shipping, which is likely getting close to the value of the system.
To bad, what a waste.

FWIW: I did try removing the CMOS battery, and the jumper shorting trick described in the manual. Neither worked indicating that it is the supervisor password that is set.

 

[Chad]

Just re-flash your BIOS dude, problem solved and you update your system at the same time.

 

[Woody419]

Here ya go
How to Bypass BIOS Passwords

 

[leedspoint]

$180 plus two way postage is not an option...be easier to replace the mobo....well cheaper, not easier......serveral screws and take your time and your there, as long as the new mobo isnt burned in with password also.

I have the same prob with several off lease lappies...dells and IBM's....you can call ibm or dell for master password if you can prove ownership.

 

[Armitage]

<< $180 plus two way postage is not an option...be easier to replace the mobo....well cheaper, not easier......serveral screws and take your time and your there, as long as the new mobo isnt burned in with password also.

I have the same prob with several off lease lappies...dells and IBM's....you can call ibm or dell for master password if you can prove ownership. >>



Ok, where can I find a motherboard for a Thinkpad 770? And probably the drive as well, since the disk password is probably also set.