IBM Thinkpad BIOS

You'll need to clear the CMOS by opening the laptop up, locating the jumper that does this on the motherboard, moving the jumper to the "clear" position, counting to 30 and moving it back.

If you have the manual for the machine, it'll explain where to find the jumper.

If not, you could try IBM's web site.

Failing all that you may be lucky and one of the jumpers on the motherboard may have "cmos" or "clr" or something like that on it.

Good luck & Merry Xmas.

Cheers,
Tim.

Cracking Open any computer to alter a BIOS computer can be a real pain, especially a Laptop. I would suggest visiting this site that has an array of BIOS cracking utilities. Try the software brut force way first, I would. Here is the link:

http://www.password-crackers.com/crack.html#IBM

Normally, yes, you just remove the jumper, wait a few seconds for the motherboard to totally disengage power, then put it back in. The BIOS would be reset at this point, which deletes the password from the memory.
The other way that works is to physically remove the nickle-cadium battery from the motherboard. Doing this has the same effect.
Now, I don't know laptop design too well. They must have an on-board battery at least! Don't know about the jumper, though.

I did find a document on IBM's web site, giving the official line on how to reset the BIOS password. Here is the URL:
http://www-1.ibm.com/support/manager.wss?rs=0&rt=0&org=psg&doc=YAST-3JZS7U
(please remove any spaces)

According to IBM,"Do Not Forget Your Supervisor Password! If you forget your Supervisor password, there is no way to reset your password to enter the BIOS configuration. Setting a supervisor password automatically sets the hard drive password. If you do not remember your supervisor password you must have the system serviced to have the system board and hard drive replaced. Proof of purchase is required, and this repair is not covered under the warranty. "

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