NEWS
Irwin Jacobs, the CEO of Qualcomm, has reported that his laptop was stolen from a ballroom where he was addressing the Society of American Business Editors and Writers. According to reports, the laptop was left on the podium for about 15-20 minutes and was taken when Irwin went to talk to a small group.

The laptop is believed to contain valuable company secrets and proprietary information that could be valuable to foreign governments. According to Qualcomm, the laptop is password-protected and its data was previously backed up on a computer at Qualcomm's headquarters.

As of this writing the laptop has not been recovered and Jacobs is considering contacting the FBI.

Read more at TechServer.com.

JOEL'S OPINION
While Jacobs did say that his laptop is password-protected, I haven't been able to find any information that talks about what kind of password protection his laptop actually had. For example, if all he had was basic BIOS-level protection, someone could easily take his hard drive and plug it into another IBM laptop to access the data.

I don't understand why companies like Qualcomm wouldn't use the highest level of protection possible to ensure the safety of the data that its executives carry around. In this case, the person carrying the data is the CEO so you can imagine that his laptop would be a definite target. I've walked through hotel conference rooms in the past and seen laptops just sitting around. This could have been a completely random snagging, too.

Perhaps it's time to rethink the way we currently offer security on laptops. For example, if instead of typing in a quick password to protect his laptop Irwin actually had removed his hard drive and took it with him off the podium, this problem would never have occurred. Then again, we don't know for sure that Irwin even password-protected his laptop. After all, he probably felt pretty safe there talking to a small group.

USER COMMENTS 794 comment(s)

CEO's and rules.... (11:17am EST Mon Sep 18 2000) It's been my experience that the upper management of any large corporation feel that they are immune to processes and procedures that have been put in place. A low-level grunt such as myself would have security galore on his laptop, but CEO's are generally lazy enough that they would not want to be bothered with the hassle of actually having to key more than one password. BTW - I've seen it mentioned that this is an IBM laptop. Hopefully for Qualcomm, a hard drive level password was set. There is a way to lock the hard drive behind a password so that no matter where the drive goes, the password goes with it. According to IBM, this password is secure enough that even they would not know how to get around it if you have a memory lapse. Not sure if this is true or not, but we all know that there is no such thing as absolute security on a computer. - by Porsche

IBM Laptop Security (12:34pm EST Mon Sep 18 2000) There is a way around hard drive level passwords on IBM laptops, but it isn't easy, and it isn't general knowledge. - by Just a Guy

Just curious (12:46pm EST Mon Sep 18 2000) Generally speaking, how would one get around a hard drive level password? Could you break that down for us, Just a Guy. I'm simply curious, as we have a few IBM laptops at work. Thanks. - by 0311Grunt

HDD security (2:07pm EST Mon Sep 18 2000) Well... if a it was stolen to get his files then trust me it was "opened" already with any security level. Fastest and easiest that comes up in my mind would be "DATA RECOVERY LAB" :) ... just open up HDD and u have all the data :). Later - by Pred-R

conspiracy dammit... (2:21pm EST Mon Sep 18 2000) He was paid by foreign goverments to allow his machine to be stolen, there's no other explantion... - by Yet Another Retard

Hard drive level security (4:15pm EST Mon Sep 18 2000) As far as I know, there is no such thing. Unless anyone publishes a link to an article describing this, then I will not believe it. What if an IBM hard drive was to be used on a Toshiba machine? The Toshiba BIOS would not recognize a proprietary "hard drive password." I think that's just made up. BIOS password - yes, Windows 2000 password - yes, security for a naked hard drive - not that I've ever heard. - by RobGeek

Wouldn't matter anyway... (7:22pm EST Mon Sep 18 2000) His password is probably "PASSWORD" or his wife or mistress's name. - by DeafDude

Hard Drive Level Security does exist (9:22am EST Tue Sep 19 2000) I have supported over 1,000 IBM ThinkPads over the last 4 years (760 and 600 series). I have used the hard drive level password. If I can find a link to it somewhere on the IBM site, I will let you know. - by Porsche

IBM Passwords (11:39am EST Tue Sep 19 2000) I have an IBM Thinkpad 600X, and I do have some sort of Hardrive password, when I turn on my computer and enter the password it first shows my computer unlocking and then it shows my hardrive unlocking... obviously this might just be flashy pictures with nothing really happening, but my hardrive doesnt work in any of my other laptops when i have this enabled. - by Kevin

Hard drive passwords (7:37pm EST Tue Sep 19 2000) Interesting. Thanks for the info. So, it appears that IBM has some special mechanism in their hard drives to effectively leave them in an on or off state based on whether they are locked or unlocked by an IBM notebook BIOS. Well, I still don't have a link to the security... In fact, I checked IBM.com and I couldn't find anything about this. Is it some kind of big secret? Searching for "security" on all of IBMs websites reveals 1 page. Yikes. - by ROB'S

Removing IBM HDD Passwords (6:31pm EST Wed Sep 20 2000) IBM ThinkPads can have up to three levels of security passwords. (1) Power-On Password - This password is stored in the system bios, and can be cleared by disconnecting all batteries, or by shorting a jumper. (2) Hard Drive Password - This password is stored on the hard drive itself. Therefore, moving a drive that is protected in this manner to another computer will not allow you to access the drive (unless you know the password). This can be defeated by shorting a jumper on the hard drive itself, but on most ThinkPad models, this will require that the drive housing be partially disassembled. (This will likely damage the drive housing on 760 class machines. 770 class drive housings should be able to be reassembled without too much difficulty. 600 class machines do not have any drive housings. I don't know about other models). (3) Supervisor Password - This is a combination of Power-On and Hard Drive password. This requires that these two passwords be identical. If a hard drive is removed from a machine with a supervisor password, the hard drive cannot be accessed (as with a hard drive password), and the ThinkPad will not boot - even with another hard drive. These can be bypassed by clearing the hard drive and power-on passwords seperately. - by Just a Guy

Conspiracy Theory II... (5:29pm EST Fri Sep 22 2000) If this was a corporate or government theft, expect the thief to have access to a clean room where they can transfer the drive platters. - by format c:

IBM's hard drive insecurity (5:46pm EST Fri Sep 22 2000) I had that problem with a user's IBM laptop. The moron forgot his HD password. So being the geek that I am, I ghosted his image up the network and took Ghost Explorer to get into his image of NT. I just saved his data,gave him attitude and got him a new image. - by geek 1: IBM 0

thinkpad 770 hard disk password (8:52am EST Sat Dec 16 2000) hi! can anybody tell me the details regarding clearing the hard disk password for an IBM Thinkpad 770? i am really stuck. i didnt know that my machine had a supervisor and hard disk password and the CMOS battery died. now i cant do anything with the machine. thanks in advance. - by Gaurav

Think i1400 (5:54am EST Sat Dec 30 2000) Hi, for anyone that can help me, my boss has a thinkpad i1400, now there is a little key that comes up on boot, and i dont know much about Ibm laptops, is this a cmos password?? Also he has forgotten the password and i was wondering if there is anyone out there that can tell me how to get around this as it would be much appreciated. - by Gubby

IBM EMPLOYEE (1:45pm EST Tue Feb 06 2001) GOOD LUCK YA'LL THIS IS A TRADE SECRET OF IBM AND WIL REMAIN ONE.... IMB does offer for about 300 bucks to "used advanced techniques to rest the passwords OFF but with complete data loss - by john baeste

IBM EMPLOYEE (1:45pm EST Tue Feb 06 2001) GOOD LUCK YA'LL THIS IS A TRADE SECRET OF IBM AND WIL REMAIN ONE.... IMB does offer for about 200 bucks to "used advanced techniques to rest the passwords OFF but with complete data loss - by john baeste

please help (just a guy) (8:07pm EST Thu Feb 15 2001) hi i read your comment and I wont to tell you that I have a big problem with the thinkpad 770 I've tried to remove the backup battery to remove the password but ofcurse it didn't work and thae laptop also I am an electrical engineer so can you tell me more tecnecall about the jumbers you talked about whats there pin numbers and I will be very gratfull - by bassel

600x Thinkpad (1:33pm EST Mon Feb 19 2001) I've read that Nortek can remove passwords on Thinkpads, so how come IBM claim that the serial board needs replacing at $950. Are they robbers, their laptops are'nt the cheapest the least you would expect is that they would be more responsive to peoples problems. And JUST A GUY is talking nonsense if he knew of a way to clear a supervisor password he would give it up freely. Good Luck to all, eventually the way will become clear, we all may just have to wait a while. IBM employee do the right thing! - by Assimilated

ThinkPad Supervisor password (2:46pm EST Wed Feb 21 2001) I'm having the same problem as everyone else. I have a user who somehow set the supervisor passowrd on their laptop. IBM say's there is no way to reset it, but for 799.00 they will install a new system board and hard drive. Nice customer service. Come one IBM people. What a shadey way to do business. - by Some Punk

supervisor password (3:45pm EST Sat Mar 03 2001) i stole my bosses a20p and if i dont get the password im just goin to break it lol - by saw loser

supervisor password (3:48pm EST Sat Mar 03 2001) security sucks ibm lose a future customer because im breaking the machine so who wins in the end ill continue to look for thinkpads to break lol - by very saw loser

Removing IBM HDD Passwords (9:56am EST Mon Mar 05 2001) I Have a second hand IBM 760XL, with the hard drive password set (I cannot contact the person who set it) As the drive is as useful as a paper weight at the moment I would like to have a crack at shorting the jumpers (as suggested by just a guy) - anyone know what jumpers? or know where I can get diagram / instructions. I did find one company who said they could do it (for a hefty charge) so it must be possible - apart from this company it seems no one can do it! - by pdpdjh

supervisor password (2:07am EST Wed Mar 07 2001) working on a way will have it soon and make it public knowledge hate moneymakers knowledge is free - by profix

HDD Password (12:19am EST Fri Mar 09 2001) I have a useless 770x, due to the hdd password. It had a supervisor password on the motherboard. Sourced a used board, put it together only to find the *#$%^&@ hdd password. Sending it to that guy in Canada cost more than a new drive. - by gugliem

removing power on password for ibm thinkpad 390x (8:02am EST Thu Mar 15 2001) i have ibm thinkpad 390 model laptop, but the geek that i am i have forgetton the power-on-password. being the a lamer, i don't no know what to do. please help, email me your suggestion to neilamish@yahoo.com thnaking you in advance - by neil

Hard disk drive password (6:34am EST Wed Mar 21 2001) i have manage to remove the power on password but now have trouble with the hard disk drive password. Does any one know to remove this password from the hard drive, i will willing to money for it, like i did for power o password. email on neilamish@yahoo.com thanking u all - by niel

IBM Thinkpad 240 password (4:12pm EST Mon Mar 26 2001) I have IBM TP 240 with Supervisor password set. Apparently IBM can dial into these computers to reset the password. If this is true, is there any way I can replicate that? We are all waiting for your solution, Profix :-) - by bob

Has anyone here tried Nortek (10:12am EST Fri Apr 20 2001) Has anybody tried Nortek and were they successful? I've had a price from Nortek for $195, supervisor and hardrive password removal. If I bought a new hardrive this would still not clear the supervisor password and may even write it to the hardrive and encrypt the new drive also. Message for Profix keep up the good work, do you have a list of things you have tried, if so please email to me at deansmith@ukonline.co.uk - by Assimilated

What if you know the HD password and want to get rid of it? (3:49pm EST Fri Apr 20 2001) Hi, I have a TP 770x that has a power-on password and a hard disk password. I know what they are but what to take them off. My BOIS doesn't seem to have an option to completely remove the passwords even if you know them. Any suggestions anyone? - by wiseoljedi

Ibm Travelstar HDD Supervisor password (1:43am EST Fri May 04 2001) Help I have managed to lock up my laptop now it says i need a supervisor password Its a New Travelstar HDD and i got it from the newspaper 2nd hand and now i dont know how to unlock it... IBM wont help what do i do..... - by Useless

ibm 1400 hdd password (3:23am EST Fri May 04 2001) i have a 2621 ibm 1400 series notebook. while i was in the bios i reset the password twice and rebooted to find out that the password did not work and could not enter. so, i have contacted nortek, they claim they can remove it. Has anyone had success ? Does anyone know how to remove the hdd password on these computers ? - by global

thinkpad password (7:11am EST Thu May 10 2001) So does anyone know how to crack the power on pasword. I could use some help - by cokin

password (3:41pm EST Thu May 10 2001) try this sitehttp://www.sans.org/infosecFAQ/travel/sec_info.htm too advance for me - by Don

ThinkPad Password Solutions (9:29am EST Fri May 11 2001) An unknown ThinkPad Power On password can usually be removed by the user (servicing a system yourself may void any or all remaining warranties). ThinkPad Power On password removal information can usually be found in a system’s Hardware Maintenance Manual. The following web site contains links to IBM web pages where specific ThinkPad system manuals can be downloaded. http://www.nortek.on.ca/nortek/ If the ThinkPad continues to prompt the user for a password after Power On password removal is attempted, the ThinkPad most likely has a Supervisor password set. There is no way a user can remove or bypass an unknown ThinkPad Supervisor password. Under normal circumstances, the Supervisor password automatically activates the Hard Disk password access to the HDD and stored drive data is impossible (from any system) if the password is unknown. Proprietary software and hardware was developed that is capable of removing unknown ThinkPad Supervisor and notebook Hard Disk passwords with the option of full HDD data recovery, without replacing any hardware components. Visit the web site below for full password removal details. http://www.nortek.on.ca/nortek/ Marty Wanner Nortek Computers Ltd. nortek@onlink.net - by MW

ThinkPad Password Solutions (10:26am EST Mon May 14 2001) Anyone with a non-commercial solution, someone out there must know how to do it, not that I am against commercial solutions, I realise the importance of R&D - I work for an R&D company. I had visited the nortek website already, as I suspect most of the people who have posted here have. It is simply not cost effective (especially as I am based in the UK) to do this - I am not interested in the data, I just want to be able to use the hard drive. Maybe nortek would consider lowering the price for unlock-only (no data recovery). This may make the option more attractive for many people who have posted here and elsewhere. If they want the business. - by pdpdjh

hdd password (4:43pm EST Mon May 14 2001) Same problem...I'm selling used laptops in Lithuania, and this problem is a big problem for me... CAN ANYBODY HELP? Mail me directly, please. svidas@takas.lt Thank's - by Vidas

hdd password (9:49am EST Sat May 19 2001) I have a Travelstar 4gig HDD with a password. I bought it used. Been looking everywhere for a solution(I know about Nortek, but $100US is WAY too much for this drive). I tried plugging in just the logic board to see if I get an error and it bings me to setup screen, but nothing happens(just hands at the Thinkpad logo, no password icon comes up). I beleive it(password) is on the HDD platter and not the logic board. Oh well, I guess I'll keep lookin. - by TRoN

supervisor password (11:42am EST Wed May 23 2001) Contrary to IBM lies, the supervisor password can be reset by removng the power supply, battery and then removing the cmos battery and waiting 20 minutes or so. On the IBM Thinkpad A20M, the cmos battery is conveniently located beside the mini pci modem/network card. Gently unplug the battery and voila! Sorry IBM, you can't have the $750 to replace the system board! Now if someone could post the HDD password unlock solution, we would all be back in business instead of dealing with slimy, money-grabbing so called customer service reps/companies. - by Trallane

IBM ThinkPad Passwords (6:02pm EST Fri May 25 2001) The supervisor password cannot be removed on most ThinkPads by unplugging the CMOS battery because it is stored in an EEPROM. It can be got around quite easily if you have the gear but there is no quick or dirty fix. The BIOS of a ThinkPad will read the checksum of the EEPROM as well as looking for a password so replacing the chip won't help either. I haven't spent much time figuring out the Harddisk password system as these can be replaced anyway, I did swop controller boards on two identical drives however and the passworded drive remained so. This means the password is somehow stored on the platter and causes the drive to mis-report itsself to the BIOS. Connecting a passworded drive to a desktop machine simply resulted in the password protected drive not being reconized, although the IBM Tool DiskManager could see the drive and also the password. This means it won't allow you low level format it. - by Dan

Thinkpad Supervisor Password Removal (11:19am EST Mon May 28 2001) If Nortek can do it why can't anyone else? They claim to have developed proprietory software. How is this software loaded if the machine won't even boot? How is profix making out? - by Chuck

Data Recovery Password Lock (8:11am EST Tue May 29 2001) Try www.ultratec.co.uk They can recover your data and unlock your drive. I do it all the time :O) - by Dan

Thinkpad Supervisor Password (9:15am EST Tue May 29 2001) Question for Dan - what "gear" are you referring to in your comment on Friday? - by Chuck

HDD password (7:08am EST Wed May 30 2001) I have had some success in defeating the password. I removed the logic board from the HDD, connected(just the logic board) to my Thinkpad and powered up. After a few minutes, the password screen came up. 2 attempts at entering a password and it halted(hand icon). Normally it's supposed to be 3 attempts before it halts. I then re-assembled the HDD and this time it didn't ask for a password when I booted with a win98 startup disk. When I ran fdisk, it asks if I want a FAT32 drive, then quits saying it cant access the drive.I downloaded a utility from IBM that performs diagnostics and low level format. The low level format ran for about 20 hours, then failed at about 85%. If Nortek and that UK company can do it, so can we!! Someone out there MUST know. - by TRoN

Supervisor Password (10:42am EST Wed May 30 2001) Any ex-IBM Tekkies out there, or are they all sworn to secrecy? - by Chuck

More on Passwords (5:21pm EST Sun Jun 03 2001) In response to Chuck I was talking about EEPROM programmers. As mentioned before the password is stored in an EEPROM, in the ThinkPads case a serial EEPROM designed for small sensitive data such as passwords in mobile phones and notebooks etc. My company once purchased 30 x 760ED notebooks from a corporate who then refused to give out the passwords. Although we were willing to junk the drives we would have lost out big time on the machines so we simply brought in an non passworded 760ED and cloned the EEPROM(Probably what the other companies do) Looking at the tech PDF's of TravelStar drives they support a command to disable password protection. At the moment we are working on an assembly programm to low level interface the drives and hopefully disable the password to allow a low level format. I suspect removing the password and keeping the data intact would prove tricky but we really only want to be able to use the drives. - by Dan

Passowrd (4:01am EST Mon Jun 04 2001) i want crack my password through the software plsss help me i want to learn also this program - by Rup

Razza has cockrot (9:27am EST Mon Jun 04 2001) Id just like everyone to know that Razza indeed has a severe case of cockrot. - by WAZZZZUUPPP

Razza really does have Cockrot (9:38am EST Mon Jun 04 2001) its true.. very true.. people cockrot is common.. just ask razza.. razza's case is of unbelievable proprotions and will not get any better... so please send sympathies to razzahascockrot@stds.rape.him Thanx - by Wasabe!

Cockrot (9:45am EST Mon Jun 04 2001) I do beleive cockrot is a very common disease among relations of Frutia. Believe me as I am Doctor Cockrot, the leader in the field of cockrot therapy. - by Doctor Cockrot

Cockrot among animals... (9:48am EST Mon Jun 04 2001) Are there any users here who have pets who suffer from a severe case of COCKROT ? - by dahhhhhhhhhhh

Supervisor Passwords (5:07pm EST Mon Jun 04 2001) Message for Dan - Try this page - there is some interesting stuff http://www.esiea.fr/public_html/Christophe.GRENIER/cmospwd.txt - by Chuck

cockrot (10:27pm EST Mon Jun 04 2001) bahahahahaaaaaaaaa - by bahahahaaa

cockrot (6:30am EST Tue Jun 05 2001) i think the guy goin on about cockrot is this dickhead from my uni: his email is adam@rendrag.net he is a dickhead feel free to spam him - by darryl

The Cockrot Vandal (7:09am EST Tue Jun 05 2001) I emailed the administrator of that domain and they have removed the offender's account. So much immaturity in this world. - by Chris

You are bored arnt you? (6:29am EST Wed Jun 06 2001) You should be studying you realise. Get off msn already. - by Mr Squiggle

Oh god,. (6:31am EST Wed Jun 06 2001) There really are some deadset wankers in this world. - by Blackboard

hdd password (12:18pm EST Sun Jun 10 2001) if u get a drive thats unlocked the same or similar to the drive thats locked and swop the board fdisk and format and walla unlocked drive thanks guys to unlock machine download the ibm magic disk put it in thinkpad as it is about to boot eject put in a normal boot disk and walla ure into the machine but to get the password removed go to dans response - by profix

locked hdd (5:28pm EST Thu Jun 14 2001) profix, didnt a couple of people already say that swapping the board didnt work, the hdd password is on the actual platter? Also where can I download the IBM Magic disk you refer to, I cant find mention of it anywhere. Many thanks and keep up the good work people! - by Rich

IBM 390E (9:26am EST Mon Jun 18 2001) Yeah, so my IBM 390E laptop is in a similar boat... I have 2 IBM laptops ( IBM 390E and an IBM 390X ). My brother used my 390E a while, and gave it back after a few months of use, with a damn boot up password that he cant remember. ( this is why he gave it back.... ) Anyways, So I heard that Shorting out the CMOS Battery / chip will allow me access to my box again... has this been done with An IBM 390E? Is the battery sordered on to the board? Can I reset using jumpers??? etc... - by - Dave Moganstein

power-on password (2:25pm EST Sun Jun 24 2001) i own an 380ED thinkpad - silly me - cant remember my own power-on password since i got back from holidays - i've contacted IBM which they refer me to some authorized dealer to get my password reset but the cost is too much for me at this point - can someone help - by needy student

hard drive password (3:14pm EST Wed Jun 27 2001) i have heard that norton your eyes only might be able to brute force search the password. can anyone confirm that? - by cookie

ibm thinkpad 390x supervisor password (2:33pm EST Fri Jun 29 2001) i was playing with my friends with my computer and we were all joking around with it and This DUMB idiot friend of mine set a Supervisor password!!! i called ibm and they said they would have to replaced the system board and it would cost me $700!!! is there any other way to get the password off??? (back door bios password, bios crack???) please e-mail me @ S_komorek@yahoo.com - by Steve

Laptop Password Removal (9:25pm EST Sat Jun 30 2001) Our Company can remove ANY password from any type of laptop, including IBM ThinkPads. PowerOn, Supervisor, Admin, User and so on... BUT HARDDISK PASSWORD is very difficult thing, we can't it remove yet... The removal of this passwords aren't soo easy (exceptPower On), it needs dvanced technical knowledge, for more questions: virtuatech2000@yahoo.com - by PassWord Doctor

Very clever guys. (9:39am EST Wed Jul 11 2001) I'm guessing you guys are (low rate) Technical support guys with nothing better to do than comment on stupid (insignificant) "security" issue. Don't you have anything better to do? - by Clinton Volzke

Cracked 760ed supervisor password (4:55am EST Thu Jul 19 2001) Well, for all you people out there who want their 760E, 760XL, 760ED (do not ask about any other types) thinkpads working then would some one please tell me where I can post a "dirty fix" that ACTUALLY WORKS!!!not here...I need a less conspicuous arena as IBM may SUE me ( ex-engineer )and I definitely do not want that! If you do not mind virtually stripping your laptop and trying a bypass operation (hey, if its locked then you wont mind) then I have a solution that has worked eliminating the supervisor password...afraid you must change your hard drive first...the thinkpad original will never relinquish its password this way and will remain stone cold dead still...give it up...suggest putting a low capacity hard drive in temporarily. This is no hoax and is done without profit...I have known this for a while but my conscience on giving this info plays me up!!! - by static sensitive

less conspicuos arena (2:01am EST Tue Jul 24 2001) just send it to this email from an anonimous account: sgerper@hotmail.com and i'll post it on my bbs - by arana

superviso password (5:30pm EST Wed Jul 25 2001) i have ibm 600e iwant to remove its bios password plz help me. send me th e-mail badar1@hitmail.com. - by radab

supervisor password (5:33pm EST Wed Jul 25 2001) i have ibm 600e i want to remove its bios password plz help me. send me the e-mail badar1@hotmail.com - by radab

380z (8:09pm EST Wed Jul 25 2001) My test on a 380z type 2635 using magnets. I removed the system board memory and cmos bat shorted the cmos bat terminals then ran a rather strong magnet over the system board. I then re assembled the 380z i it reports error 161 and 163 then asks for the password. any password will do and it then attempts to boot but now it will only boot off of a system program disk any other disk and it go's directly to a halt message. the system program disk boots but when i try to program the bios it tells me that the power management is disabled and will not continue. - by 380z

380z continued (8:21pm EST Wed Jul 25 2001) I was referring to the Administrator password. shorting the cmos and password terminals alone did nothing. also this dose not address the hd password. I have attempted to use the hd in a apple powerbook but partitioning the drive always fails with an unknown error. Having a password that can not be removed or at such a ridiculous price is idiotic thing for IBM to do. any common thief probably would not ask more than 50 bucks and i dought they would even turn it on. the chances that someone's ***CHILD*** would set the password when they found daddies laptop is much more likely and just puts a sour note in the consumers mind. and any serious thief with purpose would have ways of extracting the data. the hardware in the system except the mb and hd are still viable parts for resale even for the educated thief and probably more profitable and less obvious.. any way I think of it its pad for the consumer and meaningless to the thief..... - by 380z

cracked thinkpad password (7:20pm EST Sat Jul 28 2001) Further to my earlier writings about the cracked 760 supervisor pswrd....thank you arana for stating a method so blindingly obvious to me that I never even considered it. I will send it to you in due course ( currently trying out a more refined hardware version of the same method ). If anyone else would like a copy to try and then distribute for FREE then send me a blank email with the header "info password" to vsm28a@hotmail.com and I will send it to them also in due course...thanks - by static sensitive

760ED Supervisor Password (12:41pm EST Thu Aug 02 2001) Does anyone know where the Password Files reside? I purchased a 760ED 6 months ago (2nd User) and wanted to upgrade the Bios however as the supervisor password is set, i cannot complete the task. I have stripped the machine down as the casing was broken and have all the parts required to refurbish it (ordered from IBM NPL Part Sales UK) Reading the datasheets for the relevant I.C.s the security space is either the Dallas DS17485 RTC. (4Kb ram) or the Intel E28F004 Flash memory. Or is there something I've missed? U41 looks suspicious (serial EEPROM??) it bears an IBM part No. Once I know where the passwords are I will use a device reader to read the contents, then usecmospwd (downloadable from numerous sources)to convert to ASCII or keyboard scan codes. Reassemble the machine and enter the relevant password at the prompt. Please reply Dan or Static Sensitive - by Stella artois

hdd password detection (3:22pm EST Thu Aug 02 2001) I just found out my used ThinkPad 770 has a supervisor password set - found this out when I went to put a larger hard drive into the machine. Since I bought the unit used, I do't know the system password (working on getting that, but doubtful). Since setting the system password sets the hard drive password, is there any way to detect the hdd password? This may give me the system password! - by Xopher

hey hello Hi !!! i got the logic to remove Supervisor Password (8:03am EST Sun Aug 05 2001) just email me at i2hot4g@yahoo.com to remove ur supervisor password for IBM ThinkPad 390/E/X ...... - by Shafiq

has anyone tried this: (4:39am EST Mon Aug 06 2001) it just came to my mind that PROBABLY and JUST probably, the HD password is stored in the HDD partition, if it is, then putting this HD as SLAVE or SECONDARY drive on a 2 drive SYSTEM, may allow you to boot and THEN try to repartition the drive in order to clean the drive (maybe even get your data before repartiotioning just by copying) i think it will worth trying that with some pc and a laptop harddisk adaptor for "normal" ide pc connectors. i thought about this when i remembered a very old but useful utility called "protdrx" that just "as some virus does" stored some boot info on the partition area of a hard disk that prevented you (if you didnt know the password of course) to access HD with write permisions, no permissions at all, write or read from flopppie (in order to keep you out of copying information to/from floppies) this utility worked at the partition level, and you had no way around it unless putting the disk as slave (you could not boot to floppy since partition info is read first and that one disabled the floppies before boot). CAN SOMEONE GIVE IT A SHOT? - by arana

Thinkpad password (12:28pm EST Fri Aug 10 2001) Bought Thinkpad 760ED on ebay, seller failed to mention it had an unknown supervisor password on it. If anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks - by Steve

IBM T20 (6:16pm EST Fri Aug 10 2001) Hi, Nice to see the great non-profit work being undertaken here. I have a small problem. I purchased an IBM T20 from a workplace clearout (upgrades to company machines). Ive left the company and my machine has a hdd password. The above comments seem to be for other IBM machines. Is there any reasonable way of removing or bypassing the hdd password. I dont think it has a supervisor password but im not sure. any help would be greatly appreciated as it would save me IBMS costly route and also make my machine usable. Cheers - by Jabir

Supervisor password 760ed (1:24am EST Sun Aug 12 2001) Thinkpad password (12:28pm EST Fri Aug 10 2001) Bought Thinkpad 760ED on ebay, seller failed to mention it had an unknown supervisor password on it. If anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it. Please email me at sudlovertoo@aol.com if you can help. Thanks - by Steve

IBM THINKPAD 390X POWER ON PASSWORD (11:12am EST Sun Aug 12 2001) POWER ON PASSWORD FORGOTEN HELP ME PLEASE - by HMID34@hotmail.com

IBM SUPERVISOR PASSWORD (6:32pm EST Sun Aug 12 2001) Could anyone help me remove the supervisor password from my IBM T20 Laptop.Somebody out there must know how to do it.Please e-mail me at angelos2@hotmail.com - by Angel

I FORGOT MY POWER-ON PASWORD (12:02am EST Tue Aug 14 2001) I DO NOT REMEMBER MY POWER ON PASSWORD...WHAT SHOULD I DO?? PLEASE EMAIL ME AT BYWNEAL15@HOTMAIL.COM AND TELL ME WHAT I SHOULD DO. - by Justin

Thinkpad 390e Password (Power on) (10:35pm EST Fri Aug 17 2001) I too have the same problem with not knowing the password on a notebook I recently purchased at an online auction. Could someone please mail me the information or at least put me in the right direction. I tried e-mailing Shafiq, but I didn't get a response. Someone please help. Kuspchylde@yahoo.com - by Cuspchild

Cracked thinkpad password 760ED (6:48pm EST Sat Aug 18 2001) Too many people have emailed me to reply individually so here is latest progress: The chip that everyone is seeking is an eeprom located on a 760ED at location U30 which is located on the underside of the planar near the main power connector. The chip is typically marked C46C1 - ST 39AD. It is an 8 pin package and holds the security supervisor data and probably the code required to unlock the embedded code on the hard drive. I have now obtained 2 of these security eeproms that are new, clear of any password and unprotected but have not obtained a copier/reader as yet. Reading the contents of this would indeed be interesting. One of the chips was swapped in a SUPERVISOR set 760ED and the thinkpad lost the password immediately but failed to release the original hard drive as this has embedded coding but it did work on a clean formatted one. (will work with various different thinkpad models as well). As for the hard drive...... If the original chip is removed carefully and read subsequently then the hard drive can be unlocked following the successful supervisor removal but this has not yet been done by me as I really could do with some free time and a copier/reader or maybe some trustworthy soul would like to attempt a copy and return of the second chip ( UK please ). Vsm28a@hotmail.com - by Static Sensitive

Cracked thinkpad password 760ED (7:04pm EST Sat Aug 18 2001) Sorry, forgot to mention...still have the dirty hardware fix for the 760ED involving an unusual grounding technique on the U30 that will eliminate the supervisor password but this has oddly caused a few violent hiccups to my system recently. I will continue with this and inform you all about it when it becomes more stable. - by Static Sensitive

a possible COMPLEAT procedure (10:49pm EST Tue Aug 21 2001) this is how i had to do it 'hard way' mother brd/laptop/hardrive(lgc brd only) 0 STATTIC MAT DAMMIT 1 dismantle entire note/lap/desktp 2 remove ALL insulating stickers 3 remove all batterys and "DALLAS CHIPS" thicker than 1/4 inch [yes solder] 4 set on steel wool&fold it over board top to discharge ALL cmos 5 lookup all serial eeprom referances to your computer remove all of em 6 replace all of the dallas chips & eeproms you removed 7 DO NOT PUT THE HDD BACK IN 8 reassemble should be blank use floppy! 9 do same to hdd/test on OTHER computer A.if hdd ok or eraseable, hdd waz locked by logic board else goto b B.degause platterz(NOT HEADS OR CIRCUTS) use RADSHACK TAPE HEAD DEMAGNITIZER on oppizit side of spindle from read arm mount and away from head path) while it attemps to read lock out code frome boot sector,field will erase it. hdd conetor would ba at x OR y usualy x but dont count on it arm mount = o the spot = @ head path = \ spindle = O +-----------+ | o \ | y | O | x | @ | +-----------+ !!!!!!!!! or !!!!!!!!!! by pulling board and all else you can accept seals repeat above while atempting to spin the insides by twisting it on axis in a twitching motion - by WAPTEC@pdx

a possible COMPLEAT procedure dammaged?!!! (10:55pm EST Tue Aug 21 2001) sorry i forgot about the DAMMN remove all ascii art stuff that "must" run here is the diagram AGAIN AARRRRGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!hdd conetor would ba at x OR y usualy x but dont count on it arm mount = o the spot = @ head path = \ spindle = O "spaces" = . +-----------+ |.o....\....| |y......O..x| |.........@.| +-----------+ - by waptec@pdx

removing password HD on Laptop Dell (5:21am EST Wed Aug 22 2001) Can anybody help me .. ?? i have a Dell Latitude LS, it's set password harddisk n i've tried to put HD on primary slave ( see by arana ), but it's not working, 'coz the drive not detected, i think..password was set on boot sector HD, i've tried to put HD on primary master, it's not boot up..so, can anybody tell me, how to make it a normal..?? - by young

what type of bios chip is on a thinkpad i 1400 series 2621-460 (2:25pm EST Wed Aug 22 2001) I'm really angry, and stubborn, and not giving up yet, to save my thinkpad i 1400 2621-460, .... when flash bios updating, a system hang, and, now, blank screen.... IBM want's $799, which, is less than their parts department wants for a new system board at $2220 (Boulder IBM parts)... or, ascparts, etc. etc. at $600+. So, research the past few days leads to possible doing something with the bios chip, but, short of taking the unit apart, I'm having difficulty figuring out who did the bios chip for IBM on this machine. AMI? AWARD? currently, blank screen on power on..., and F1 doesn't do it... thinking... thanks for any info - by Galen

thinkpad 390 password removal (12:42am EST Thu Aug 23 2001) I acquired a Thinkpad 390 which has a power-on password. What is the procedure for clearing it. I don't have a manual. Where is the CMOS battery located? Keith - by kbsanborn@hotmail.co

How to Clear CMOS in my IBM Think Pad T20 (8:41am EST Thu Aug 23 2001) I have ibm think pad i forgotten my power on password. its having phoenix bios. whats the factory default password if any one knows please help me. and also i need the diagram of the main board of my laptap. where can i get if any one knows kindly help me out. thanks in advance muthuselvan15@yahoo.com - by Muthu Sel van

To Galen (3:24pm EST Sat Aug 25 2001) I think IBM thinkpad i1400-2621 BIOS from ACER...good luck...!!! - by mee

Power on Password 390e (1:57am EST Sun Aug 26 2001) Alright Folks, I have searched high and low for the answer and have found none. So, how does one bypass/defeat the "power on" password on a Thinkpad 390e? I think that I'm about to give up and just send the damn thing to Nortek. Spending $140 is better than IBM's answer. If someone has a better idea, please post a response or send me an email. Kuspchylde@yahoo.com - by Cuspchild

TP 390E (8:16pm EST Mon Aug 27 2001) I used a utility to reset my bios(1cool pack)and after rebooting I get a black screen with the lock and unlock icons. You can hear it check the A drive and try to boot but thats as far as it goes. Any help for this? Gary gcrater@asde.net - by Gary

To: all helpful friends...!!! (6:46am EST Tue Aug 28 2001) Thanks for all helpful infos posted in here and infos in the future...we're the people who like to learn...more and more...although...they,the infos, will help us or not...thanks...and thanks again... - by mee

power-on password (9:44am EST Tue Aug 28 2001) hi folks, i have a thinkpad 600e with a power-on password. can someone pleeeaaassseee give me help on removing it. thanx. my email is jaysingh1@excite.com - by jay s

supervisor password (4:30am EST Thu Aug 30 2001) The supervisor password is store in the supervisor chip which is control both the battery and bios.... to remove the password you have to look for where the chip locate at then remove the chip off the main board and erase by the EROM eraser or change the new chip if available ... that how I reset any supervisor password - by superD

ibm thinkpad 600x, locked! NEED HELP! (5:22am EST Fri Aug 31 2001) hello, my friend's ibm thinkpad 600x locked, we can't start the laptop now, the computer is asking for a password (supervisor password i guess). how do we fix the problem? we have no access to the one who first used the ibm thinkpad here in our office. can somebody help us? thanks a lot. - by erap

IBM Travelstar HDD Password (9:07pm EST Fri Aug 31 2001) Need urgent help. can anyone tell me how to get ride off HDD PW on a Travelstar or name of a company in UK who can do it. E-mai: Ali.ghazinoori@gxs.ge.com - by Ali Ghazinoori

IBM Thinkpad 760EL Supervisor Password Removal (7:52pm EST Tue Sep 04 2001) WE have a number of IBM 760EL Thinkpads with Supervisor Passwords on them that are unknown. I have tried various means to erase these without success yet. We are not interested in the Hard Drives as we can replace these with others but would be very interested in finding an easy way of removing the supervisor passwords. I have read all the previous correspondence on this above but the chip on our 760EL Notebooks referred to above has a different code (B?56XX 93C46 M8). Surely someone has written some code that can interrogate these eproms and find the passwords. Anyone with this info please contact me at Email: Overlord@encore-auctions.co.nz - by Overlord

supervisor password has all answers/phat audio sites (2:38pm EST Fri Sep 07 2001) http://www.skratchnspin.com/ http://www.fadestyle.com/ or http://www.audiokingdom.com/html/artist_signup.pl/RCL - by fadestyle

Clearing the Supervisor Password (9:16pm EST Mon Sep 10 2001) I have heard that pressing CTRL-D within the ThinkPad setup screen can clear the supervisor password (does not affect the HDD password, though). Has anyone had success in using this technique? If so, on which ThinkPad model(s) has it worked? I've also heard there is a way to disable the HDD password via software. My understanding is the drive has to be low-level formatted afterwards, but can be used again. Has anyone heard of this? - by Xopher

Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee (10:36pm EST Tue Sep 11 2001) Guys - I have a TP-600X and someone put a sup-pwd on it without my knowledge. I tried reading through the whole thing - BUTTTTTTTTTTTTT - IS THERE ANYONE WHO HAS ACTUALLY BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT... Please let everyone know over here as we are all tired of wasting our had earned money on these multinational companies. IBM wants $890 to change my system board. Please email me at - khansam@iit.edu - by RedRum

IBM ThinkPad PassWord Removal (6:23am EST Thu Sep 13 2001) Hi friends. We CAN remove supervisor passwords from ANY laptops (so, we have repaired many laptops with password problem, and we made all) Possible passwords are PowerOn (it can be removed so easy, remove main batteries, unplug AC adapter, and remove backup battery (some little NiCD or LiIon battery) stay laptop for some hours while capacitors discharges, or short some jumpers to discharge these (like CMOS PW on desktop pcs) for the locations of jumpers see the user or technical manuals of Your laptop or search for it on the NET (all ibm powerOn PW removal procedures are public on IBM WEB sites) SuperVisor, Admin, HDD, and any non User or PowerOn passwords are stored on a security chip and cannot be erased so easy. We can remove it for $99 BUT not to say that we do it only for money, we will do it for FREE for the first 10 guys who ask us. HDD password are stored on the HDD plate (not in electronics) BUT in most of cases it's the SAME as the SuperVisor password, becouse if You set a SuerVisor pasword on an IBM laptop, and it has HDD, it will set the HDD password automatically, and this is the same as supervisor. We cannot restore SuperVisor password from a bare HDD, only, if the laptop is available for this. To remove only hDD password, we have an idea. Try to clear all data by a very strong magnetic field with some electro-magnet. Try television picturetube demagnetiser coil, but we didn't guarantee that hdd will be usable after than, it's possible that it will be total unusable, or with many bad sectors. For more question, ask virtuatech20002yahoo.com - by Laptop Service

IBM ThinkPad PassWord Removal (6:26am EST Thu Sep 13 2001) One more things - We are in Hungary - Europe. - by Laptop Service

IBM ThinkPad PassWord Removal (6:27am EST Thu Sep 13 2001) Soo - We are in Hungary - Europe an our CORRECT email address is virtuatech2000@yahoo.com - by Laptop Service

IBM ThinkPad PassWord Removal (12:55am EST Mon Sep 17 2001) Try http://www.pwcrack.com, it looks like they have chip solutions for most thinkpads/other brands. - by Thinkpad owner

If still under warranty (12:07pm EST Tue Sep 18 2001) Degauze the hard drive until it doesn't work--doesn't even get to the p/w prompt for the hard drive...then send it in for repair. Zap the motherboard at some point with 12 volts of current until it doesn't work--send it in for repair - by Dirty, but theyr2

So, I talked to Nortek today... (4:53am EST Sat Sep 22 2001) Hello once again, In regards to the Thinpad 390e... Let's just say that I am looking at over $250 U.S. (after shipping) in order to get the "power on password" removed from my laptop and hard drive by Nortek. However, when I spoke to the guy about what was involved with performing this service for me he said, "I really don't know. It's all automated". I take this to mean that something relatively easy is going on. Especially, since Nortek's lead time on these projects is only 48hrs and then the laptop is back in the mail to you. Folks, I'm not talking about some little BIOS dilemma where shorting the CMOS battery will work (I've tried that). I mean the "power on" job that also simultaneously locks the hard drive and doesn't allow the system to even boot to a prompt, All you get is the damn lock icon at the upper left of the screen. I have tried to cross the metal contacts on the CMOS while powering on the computer, but I haven't really had any success. About one try in ten results in the machine going through what seems to be a regular boot up to the point the system does a RAM check. Then the machine hangs. After I turn the power off and back on, the same damn icon of the lock appears and prompts me for a password that I do not know. I don't wish to replace the system board, shell out hundreds of dollars, or ship my computer out of the U.S. Please someone help with this. I'm not asking for someone to hold my hand or anything, just point me on the CORRECT path to solving this. Any help from persons in the know would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. - by Kuspchylde@yahoo.com

me to :( (3:02am EST Mon Sep 24 2001) I have a thinkpad a20p, and im also looking for a way to hack the supervisor password. Ive tried to remove a little yellow battery, for a couple of days, but it did not work (cmos battery i think) :(. Please if anyone know how to help me. please contact me at, supermuzze@hotmail.com THANX :) thomas - by thomas

IBM Thinkpad 600 (9:06pm EST Mon Sep 24 2001) When I first turn on the computer it beeps and it says 161 163 then it asked for a password. I only press enter without entering any password it says OK> and it takes me to this page which has ERROR 00161 00163 OK Cancel When I press ok or cancel a page comes up saying same thing without OK Cancel this time.. ERROR 00161 00163 then i cant do anything it just has the error page and i have to restart the computer.. can anyone tell me how I can fix this problem... you can email me iysin69@hotmail.com thanx - by ice

password removal T20 (6:25pm EST Tue Sep 25 2001) has any one found out how to get them removed or know of a company in the uk than can help many thanks tony32_uk@hotmail.com - by tony uk

Laptop Passwords (12:32am EST Wed Sep 26 2001) Well i have the same problem as most people here, Passwords to the hill on my new Laptop. I got by the bios password by removing the main and backup battery for awhile. Worked great. But how on earth do i get by the Damn Hard Drive Password. I know that Nortek site provides the answer but thats gonna cost me untold dollars cause im over seas. ANY advice is appreciated. I know there is a way to get by it, i dont care about data loss i just want the system to be up and working. nvboom@hotmail.com - by Starz

As per IBM Employee's coments (12:46am EST Wed Sep 26 2001) LMFAO Trade secret. Yeah have of the secuirty world wide is a "Trade secret" You only have to keep one thing in mind. If it can be made, it can also be broke. - by Starz

Toshiba HDD (12:12pm EST Wed Sep 26 2001) Does anyone yet know a way to remove a HDD password from a Toshiba laptop without replacing the HD? I really need help.... - by woodie

Woodie cant read (10:51pm EST Wed Sep 26 2001) If you read all the comments here you would notice we are all having the same probs. - by Starz

IBM Thinkpad 600 (8:15pm EST Sat Sep 29 2001) My problems too: When I first turn on the computer it beeps and it says 161 163 then it asked for a password. I only press enter without entering any password it says OK> and it takes me to this page which has ERROR 00161 00163 OK Cancel When I press ok or cancel a page comes up saying same thing without OK Cancel this time.. ERROR 00161 00163 then i cant do anything it just has the error page and i have to restart the computer.. can anyone tell me how I can fix this problem... you can email me xattix@yahoo.com thanx - by Martin - by Martin

Removing IBM Supervisor Passwords (8:52pm EST Sun Sep 30 2001) The password is stored on an eeprom chip on the IBM laptop motherboard. It will unlock both the supervisor and HDD password together, once read. To read the password held within the chip, an eeprom programmer device is required. When connected to the chip and PC, the password can be displayed in full glory. Re-entering the password into the laptop will unlocking it. - by Osama bin Laden Jnr

Toshiba pro4300 HDD Password (4:19am EST Tue Oct 02 2001) Hello is there a way i can get rid of HDD password at bootup, one of my freinds played around and forgot what he typed. can anyone help please. - by Conic

Toshiba pro4300 HDD Password (4:21am EST Tue Oct 02 2001) contact me on conic15@yahoo.com - by conic

Supervisor PAssword ThinkpadT20 (2:24pm EST Wed Oct 03 2001) Hello@all. can enverybody tell me somethink to remoce the Supervisor Password from the Laptop. I want pay for him, when it work.. Thanks@all siedefuss@hotmail.com - by siedefuss

Old 390x (3:04pm EST Wed Oct 03 2001) Ive just inherited a Thinkpad 390x from a old collegue from the company i work for. But the hdd. is protected by a psw. Im in no need of the data on the hdd. If I buy a new Travelstar hdd, is it possible to replace the old hdd (with a new) without any probs. ??? Sorry about my poor english :-) - by Cleam

reply on Cleam (4:03am EST Thu Oct 04 2001) The hdd password is stored on the hdd. Therefore you can replace the hdd without any problems except if there are more password set (supervisor, or power-on). You can check this by removing the hdd, and then startup the machine. if there's no password prompt, you can replace the hdd. you can check the supervisor&power-on password in the bios... power-on password can be removed by putting out the cmos-battery for some time... - by flying eagle

crack supervisor password (4:15am EST Thu Oct 04 2001) to crack supervisor password on thinkpad if you still can boot try: http://www.esiea.fr/public_html/Christophe.GRENIER/index.html?cmospwd.html careful: if the cmos of the thinkpad is reset and the supervisor password is set, you can't get into the system anymore. because the timer is reset. you get error 161 (time) and 163 (date). the system automatically goes into the bios, and doesn't boot. to get into the setup you need the supervisor password... SO... DON'T RESET BIOS IF SUPERVISOR PASSWORD IS SET AND YOU STILL CAN BOOT! - by flying eagle

ibm thinkpad a20p (5:55am EST Fri Oct 05 2001) When my thinkpad boots, its says: 0270, check date and time settings 0251, bad failure checksum cmos and the the little damn padlock icon, with a little computer in the right buttom corner appears. :I is it a supervisor password? it still prompts, when i remove HD. WHAT CAN I POSSIBLE DO? - by thomas

reply on thomas (9:17am EST Fri Oct 05 2001) It's a supervisor password, because the cmos is already cleared... what can you do... 1. The supervisor password is stored on a eeprom. You need an eeprom reader to get the password. there's no way to crack the password by software, because you can't boot... But I don't if the password is encrypted on the eeprom. I think it is... 2. You can send your laptop to Nortek... - by flying eagle

anyone ever tried to (5:46pm EST Sat Oct 06 2001) remove all powersupply ( incl. backup battery) for 24 hrs or more ? ( 1 hour didnt have any effect on supervisor pass). maybe its stored resident in a special chip like a flash memory. - by cl

reply on thomas (9:17am EST Fri Oct 05 2001 (3:21pm EST Mon Oct 08 2001) What can I do to read the supervisorpassword when i can boot! Have you a idee becouse software can do it? Thanks @siedefuss - by siedefuss

IBM and Supervisor Password (6:43pm EST Tue Oct 09 2001) Entering the Bios (based on power up p/word) and CTRL-D. You another menu set. One of them is for eeprom. Now this is basically HEX shit. Does this in any way contain the password in it? If so, can one change it to, say, all 00's and remove the password? I'd be interested for some of you to go into this menu if you DON'T have a supervisor p/word, note what it 'says', then put in a supervisor p/word and see what it says then. Does it change?? If so, maybe this is a way to remove it? Fuck knows really, just a shot in the dark... Answers appreciated! - by KF'er

ThinkPad 770E (8:10pm EST Sat Oct 13 2001) same problem as ice and martin. ERROR 161 163 and then the icon of a power on pw. that's where it ends. removing all batteries and short circuiting won't work. The thing is, I got the ThinkPad on an absolutely legal way and nobody ever set any kinda password! can anyone help??? please!!! jsp71@angelfire.com - by cliff

ThinkPad T-20 (MT2647) (5:10pm EST Tue Oct 16 2001) Hey people I have all the same (I think) problem. The laptop tries to boot but can't because the bios settings are empty (there was used some 3rd party utility to clean the bios settings). Then it says: "E271 Check time and date settings" and then the icon with password prompt appears on the screen. Any ideas how to fix it? Besides, are there any companies or people who could fix this problem located arround the Netherlands, i.e. Germany, Belgium, France or Lux? Thank you in advance. - by Michael

ThinkPad T-20 (MT2647) (5:12pm EST Tue Oct 16 2001) forgot my email: manfromdenhaag@hotmail.com - by Michael

770 password problem, i guess.. (10:55am EST Wed Oct 17 2001) problem with a thinkpad: Errors 161 and 163 come up and then the password screen. I press enter and it moves to another screen with an error window and a picture showing me the documentation. Please help me, I have the passwords, it is just that I cannot even go to the BIOS to set it off! Thank you very much! Mauricio (msubieta@yahoo.com) - by Mauricio

Cracking Hard Drive Password Lock (7:12pm EST Wed Oct 17 2001) For anyone in the UK looking to unlock a password-locked notebook hard drive you don't have to send it to Canada. Vogon International (located in Bicester, Oxfordshire) will unlock such drives quickly and for a reasonable price. See