Need HELP! IBM ThinkPad 240X

[DBCcigar]

My sister gave this laptop to my son. She has not used it in years and cannot remember the password to get in.

The manual says I have to take it to an authorized IBM dealer. I'm not going through all of that. It's a 9 year old computer.

Can I use a bootup disk and reformat the hard drive?

If not, any other suggestions?

Thanks!

[calhounhusker]

Are you talking about the password to get into the OS? Or is there a password on bootup before the OS loads?
If you are talking about the password to get into the OS, then yes you can reformat the hdd, or use a disc like Hirens disc to change the admin password for Windows.

[DBCcigar]

A password on bootup before the OS loads....

[calhounhusker]

After a little bit of searching...
» Hacking IBM Thinkpad Bios Password : SoDoItYourself.com

May require more work than you want to do... I'll keep looking to see if I find anything else.

Also found this... but its not free...
http://www.ja.axxs.net/unlock/

[DBCcigar]

It's looking like I am going to toss it, unless I can get something on a floppy to help me re-format it. The USB post does not work, and the CD-ROM is an external USB drive!

[Brinson]

If it is a bios password, ie it is before the OS loads, then you can reset it simply by removing the watch-like battery on the motherboard for an hour or so.

There is probably a switch inside. But given that the chip its on will ot hold its setting when the battery is gone, its much easier most of the time to just remove the battery.

If you feel like having some fun. Take out all the screws you can see and see if you can get it apart, find a watch battery...remove it for a few hours, then put it back together.