IBM THINKPAD BIOS PASSWORD

See the following address for ingo about the thinkpads password recovery
http://www.ja.axxs.net/unlock/

Hi

Please note that this stuff is several years old, but it has served me pretty well.

Here is what you need to do if you are trying to gain access to a password protected AMI/Award BIOS:

Start your machine and press and hold down the F8 key until the Windows boot menu appears. Select Command prompt only and press enter.

Once you see the C:\> prompt type the following, pressing enter after each line:

debug
O 70 17
O 71 17
q

(note both lines begin with an O and not a zero)Then reboot your machine. When it restarts, you will see an error message saying CMOS checksum error. You will now be able to enter your BIOS.

If you have a Phoenix BIOS try this:

debug
O 70 FF
O 71 17
q

Or a generic one:

debug
O 70 2E
O 71 FF
q

Also, have you tried this site:

http://www.elfqrin.com/docs/biospw.html

Good luck

Earlier today I was at the IBM ThinkPad support web site checking some issues for work. The support manual (248 pages).pdf for the Thinkpad R51 specifically addressed how to reset the BIOS password. It was the only forgotten or lost password that could be reset without sending the unit back to IBM (for a fee). If you cannot access the IBM web site, post the model number of the laptop and I or someone could try to retreive the information from the IBM web site.
for the r51 try ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/92p2255.pdf
page 31. Basically, the procedure is start the laptopwith the the battery removed.

How does someone use scripts at the c: prompt when the laptop won't even boot to any prompt.

Here is the site you want.

http://www.pwcrack.com/security_chips_ibm.shtml

Good Luck

Lee