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  • How to Reset an IBM ThinkPad BIOS Password



    An IBM ThinkPad laptop can have three hardware password sets:

    • Power-On Password
    • Hard Disk Password
    • Supervisor Password

    Power-On Password

    RT/CMOS RAM has 8 bytes reserved for the power-on password and the check character. The 8 bytes are initialized to hex 00. The microprocessor can access these bytes only during POST. After POST is completed, if a power-on password is installed, the password bytes are locked and no program can access them.

    During power-on password installation, the password (1 to 7 characters) is stored in the security space.

    Installing the password is a function of the built-in system program Easy-Setup. The power-on password does not appear on the screen when it is installed, changed, or removed. After the power-on password has been installed, it can be changed or removed only during POST.

    BIOS Password Generator Tool

    Instructions:

    1. Most BIOS password checksums are stored on the Flash ROM. Therefore, many manufacturers display this checksum (often called ‘hash’) on the screen by keying in 3 invalid passwords.
      Example: [CNU1234ABC]
    2. Do not be scared by any system messages such as ‘System Disabled’. Just plugout all power cords, replug and restart.
    3. Enter the checksum/hash (without any braces) you see on the screen in the above textbox and click Compute.

    Hard Disk Password

    The hard-disk password (HDP) prevents unauthorized persons from accessing the data on the removable hard disk drive.

    Supervisor Password

    The supervisor password prevents unauthorized persons from changing the system information in Easy-Setup.

    Thinkpad

    How to Reset an IBM ThinkPad Power On Password using Software

    If the user can boot the IBM ThinkPad, KeyMaker will recover the BIOS password.

    How to Reset an IBM ThinkPad Power On Password Using Hardware

    If the ThinkPad cannot be booted, reset the IBM ThinkPad password via hardware.

    If only the power-on password is set, do the following to remove the power-on password.

    1. Power off the computer
    2. Remove the DIMM cover on the bottom side of the computer.
    3. Short circuit the two password pads or put a jumper on the contacts to short the circuit.
    4. Under the short circuit condition, power on the computer and wait until the POST ends. After the POST ends, the password prompt does not appear. The power-on password is removed.
    5. Reinstall the DIMM cover.

    If both the power-on password and the supervisor password are set, do the following to remove the passwords:

    1. Press and hold F1 to power on the computer.
    2. Enter the supervisor password. The Easy-Setup menu appears.
    3. Click the Password icon.
    4. Click the Power on icon.
    5. Enter the supervisor password and press the Space bar.
    6. Press Enter twice.
    7. Click Exit then click Restart.

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    62 comments
    1. michelle

      25 February, 2019 at 12:40 am

      ok so what is the hard disk password ?

      Reply
    2. agbatin achimo

      6 September, 2018 at 6:30 pm

      how am i going too unlock my computre Thinkpad IBM R60 if i on it i will show me a padlock key and if i prees F1 i write Enterin BIOS setup

      Reply
    3. IFIX plus I.T. Services

      26 August, 2017 at 8:49 pm

      Ok i have tried to reset bios password on a IBM Thinkpad Lenovo R60 laptop that was send to me from abroad, but to no avail. i have even remove the CMOS battery and the thing has been out for more then 3 days but when i power on the laptop, it still ask for the power on password. i have search online for solutions but none seems to be doing any good.
      So can someone out there help me PLEASE…….

      Reply
    4. Branhilda

      16 August, 2017 at 7:05 am

      pls help me I got am IBM laptop but an icon of a lock is there preventing the laptop from coming on ,and it demands a password I don’t know, I need help

      Reply
    5. Eric

      17 March, 2017 at 5:29 am

      please help me system password on lenovo thinkpad

      Reply
    6. genioHW R-b-r-o

      29 January, 2017 at 11:37 am

      Be aware that the software iBios is not as good as advertised and it works only on crap computers. The software programmers know where the IBM passwords are stored yet they do not provide such position to read the string in the iBios software. When you do an attack it does the attack in the wrong location and it cause damage to your EPROM the will switch to a default setting due to a checksum error. If a software to crack the password is well made you can see it in a snap. In the iBios and similar software they don’t even know the name of the BIOS they are working with and if they don’t know it they need to ask the user. If the user would input the name of the BIOS manually then the software would know right away if an attack can be safe or not. They are really working to cause you more damage for a particular brand. Most passwords for the IBM Thinkpad are stored in location 0x338 and 0x3B8, yet the iBios finds none of such strings. You can also see the comic show happening when you go into the expert mode and the iBIOS will try to save to the A: drive. It’s a dead drive long gone years ago.

      Reply
    7. Nichole Shepard

      29 July, 2016 at 3:36 pm

      ugh

      Reply
    8. Nichole Shepard

      29 July, 2016 at 3:34 pm

      when I turn my ThinkPad x201 tablet this is what it looks like

      Reply
    9. Nichole Shepard

      29 July, 2016 at 3:11 pm

      I ran the Avanquest Fix-It Utilities Professional on my Lenovo ThinkPad x201 tablet and my system wont even go to the start screen HELP !!!

      Reply
    10. Bala

      24 February, 2016 at 1:59 pm

      Where is two power on pads on Lenovo think pad T400

      Reply
    11. Rajeev Srivastava

      31 January, 2016 at 9:32 am

      Lenovo E49, How to remove Power On Password ? Suggest the Tool and its Price in India.

      Reply
      • Bala

        24 February, 2016 at 1:58 pm

        Pls. tell me anyone where is two power on pads on Lenovo thinkpad T400

        Reply
    12. Vkktor Van Vkky

      9 August, 2015 at 12:46 am

      please help me system password on lenovo thinkpad x200

      Reply
    13. ABELARDO CHELE

      29 October, 2014 at 12:30 pm

      Ayudarme eperdido mi codigo de BIOS IBM T24 SERI 2574

      Reply
    14. JLOR7 .

      18 September, 2014 at 5:31 am

      i got problem with the supervisor password of T40 IBM think pad,can your help me to know the ic type label of BIOS? thanks a lot!

      Reply
    15. Obum

      31 July, 2014 at 3:41 am

      hi i have lenovo thinkpad T500 but it does not show the checksum. please can you atleast post a picture of the password pads i can’t locate them

      thanks Bro

      Reply
    16. PUTOXP

      11 June, 2014 at 12:27 pm

      help me password IBM R60e

      Reply
    17. Batrik

      7 June, 2014 at 1:59 pm

      I can’t access the window, my T510 asks for bios password 🙁 How can’t I have it

      Reply
    18. Batrik

      7 June, 2014 at 1:45 pm

      Hi! Some letters in BIOS Password Generator Tool ! how can i find it in my T510?

      Reply
    19. zeroparking

      4 June, 2014 at 2:32 am

      Thank you for the password generator. It worked for my lenovo ideapad y450 phoenix bios.

      Reply
    20. Mike Garrity

      2 June, 2014 at 1:55 am

      i forgot my power on password for my t43 ibm thinkpad. Its been put away for some time. My youngest daughter found it in my closet and asked me if she could use it for school. I cant afford a new one as work slowed down. PLEASE HELP

      Reply
    21. donRose

      9 January, 2014 at 12:39 pm

      I have a T61 and can’t boot. To dissable the Battery does’nt function. I try to short circuit but I can’t find the two password pads (Point 3). Can somebody give me help to find the points to set the short circuit (maybe a picture)? The DIMM cover is removed. Thx!

      Reply
    22. Arian

      12 October, 2013 at 3:55 pm

      Hi
      i have forget Thinkpad T40 Bios- Pass , can you plz held me ?

      Reply
      • H3llas

        13 October, 2013 at 9:40 pm

        On T40 only IBM/Lenovo support can help you.

        Reply
    23. AndyTan

      19 September, 2012 at 8:54 am

      i help my customer change battery, then promt out password.why???
      ibm R51 type 2887-MA2 help!!!

      Reply
    24. samuelhuma

      28 July, 2012 at 2:25 pm

      Without breaking a sweat, found an easierway to remove the power on password on a T500…
      1.Unsrew the backcover and flip the lid open
      2. Remove keyboard and Touchpad panel
      3. Near the Ram slots there is a isolator covered in silicon n plugged the the MB
      4. Unplug that wire for a minute or two with your battery out and AC unhooked and plug back.
      5. Assemble your machine and power on, it will switch off automatically for about 2x
      6. On your 3rd power on, a msg “System degenarator repairing defaults will pop up on a black screen”
      7. Wait till its finished and it will reboot and take you to BIOS setup with prompt to set dates an so forth
      & you done.

      Reply
      • Dimi Pana

        26 February, 2017 at 11:52 pm

        It does not work.

        Reply
    25. Lawrence Harrison

      10 July, 2012 at 6:04 am

      I removed the user password on my Lenovo G560.
      Supervisor password also set, but set to same password as user. On boot, system (InHyde Bios) password prompt comes up, but the old password not working. No way to enter BIOS, boot to Windows, or anything else. I do not know the password, as It is now not what it was.
      I am unsure as to what has happened. I tried to remove cmos battery, but I cannot find it. No faq’s, manuals, etc. from Lenovo or anywhere else tell me where this cmos battery is. What do I do?

      Reply
      • Daniel Memetic

        12 July, 2012 at 2:34 am

        Option 1: Has anyone else perhaps changed the password after you? Maybe that someone could tell you the current password.

        Option 2: If you don’t care about voiding your warranty or it expired you could still try removing the CMOS battery. Open the bottom panels of your laptop and look for a circular object which looks a lot like a watch battery. Remove it and put it back in after at least 30 seconds to reset your BIOS to factory settings (which also resets the password).

        Option 3: If you might be so inclined, or have a techie friend who might want to do this for you, carefully follow this guide: http://www.citronix.net/blog/how-to-remove-a-bios-password-from-an-insyde-h2o-efi-bios/

        Reply
    26. liaqut

      12 March, 2012 at 6:01 am

      Hi,I have IBm think pad t42 & lost his bios password. can u tell me his master password?
      im waiting for ur prompt response.
      thanx alot

      Reply
    27. nelson

      18 February, 2012 at 7:46 pm

      hi freand!
      i`m nelson my laptop ibm T61 TYPE: 7665-13g, SN: L3-h8287 pass bios , i can not remov, you pls help me!

      Reply
    28. bashiru mohammed

      8 December, 2011 at 11:45 am

      help me to remove password on IBM THINKPAD X60

      Reply
    29. kamal

      30 November, 2011 at 8:09 am

      saya punya Laptop IBM T 40, tidak bisa dbuka karena terkunci/ ke Lock, tidak bisa masuk bios ataupun yang lainya,minta kata sandi.
      tolong beritahu saya bagimana caranya.

      Reply
    30. sanju

      16 November, 2011 at 5:44 am

      Hi Gopi

      r u still engaged with this blog? need help to unlock bios of TP x201 s tablet

      thanks in advance.

      Reply
    31. raniek

      23 October, 2011 at 1:05 pm

      hi.
           i hav a ibm think pad 600 ..i hav lost my bios password .when i run the laptop its required the passoword ..any idea for the recovery the password …..

      Reply
    32. Victor aguirre

      8 October, 2011 at 10:42 pm

      I try to remove the password from Ibm ThinkPad T42 but may I difficult to remove I do not to solve this problem please tell how to do no have the elements show the pictures send me any any information. 

      Reply
    33. Nasih

      14 July, 2011 at 3:40 pm

      Dear sir,

      I got information from this site but i don’t know where is the cmos jumber. I removed all parts of my IBMThinkpad T40 Laptop and find the cmos battery (Removed cmos battery but not reset the password)

      Reply
    34. NiTrO'z

      9 July, 2011 at 8:19 pm

      Dude, be clear. what do we have to short-circuit??? what do you mean dude..

      I got a T60p so please let me know if u know anything.. Thanks in advance.

      NiTrO

      Reply
    35. John

      4 July, 2011 at 10:58 am

      I’m not quite sure how to short-circuit it.. to what lead do i attach a jumper?
      Thanks

      Reply
    36. payam

      18 June, 2011 at 9:39 pm

      what is that mean?
      Short-circuit the two password pads or put a jumper on the contacts to short the circuit.
      you mean the bios battery ?

      Reply
      • Ruben

        3 November, 2011 at 4:24 pm

        Can you tell which two password pads? Do you have a picture of this two pads so I make sure which ones you are refering to?

        I’ll appreciate your help on this.

        Reply
    37. Mahesh

      24 May, 2011 at 11:37 am

      for got password of IBM R50 please let me know how to recover it or remove it….

      thanks in advance…

      Reply
    38. Rone

      11 May, 2011 at 9:36 am

      Hi,
      I want to reset my IBM thinkpad  A31 BIOS password. pliz help.

      Reply
    39. Shone

      10 May, 2011 at 6:33 pm

      Sorry about bad English :S
      I have Lenovo ThinkPad R61 8943, and i have problem with POP password :/
      I do lot of things for exemple: -remove both battery, turn On comp., POST ends and like that-nothing, POP icon is still there….i read BIOS with codes but I can’t Translate that codes :/ can u help me 🙂

      Reply
    40. Kudzai

      29 March, 2011 at 7:22 am

      I forgot my POP for my IBM Thinkpad  X22 and i had to reset  it.  I joined two Terminals
      on the eepron that were on the same side & discovered that the password had gone. Does this have any problem on the functioning of my machine

      Reply
    41. kudzai

      28 March, 2011 at 1:30 pm

      I want to reset my IBM thinkpad  X22 supervisor password,dont have any reader device pliz help 

      Reply
    42. Maynor Borjas

      4 January, 2011 at 5:08 am

      Ready….. The firt option workin with my notebook IBM Tipe: 2647.
      …..
      1. Power off the computer
      2. Remove the DIMM cover on the bottom side of the computer.
      3. Short-circuit the two password pads or put a jumper on the contacts to short the circuit.
      4. Under the short-circuit condition, power on the computer and wait until the POST ends. After the POST ends, the password prompt does not appear. The power-on password is removed.
      5. Reinstall the DIMM cover.

      Reply
      • roy

        25 January, 2011 at 5:18 am

        3. Short-circuit the two password pads or put a jumper on the contacts to short the circuit.
        Hi Maynor,
        Thanks for the info. Can you please spare some time to post the image of the location of the two password pads.
        I found many similar questions regarding the two password pads location but non of answers provided with specific location by images. I would appreciate very much if you could do this favor.
        Roy
         

        Reply
      • Bala

        24 February, 2016 at 1:57 pm

        Pls. tell me where is the two password pads on T400

        Reply
    43. harvee

      29 December, 2010 at 2:17 pm

      how to reset my bios pass on my laptop 240x ibm windows 2000
      pls help me to find out….

      Reply
    44. bullpuckey

      19 August, 2010 at 8:20 pm

      Rhonda, you may want to check this article. Hopefully it is helpful to you.

      http://www.tech-faq.com/reset-bios-password.html

      It deals specifically with bios passwords whereas this article is dedicated to power-on and supervisor passwords.

      Reply
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