Computer Help [Archive] - The Vette Barn

MEANZ06

03-07-2012, 9:18pm

I have an older IBM thinkpad laptop my kid left behind when she moved out and I want to use it but we can't remember the password. Anyone know how to get around it? Its running windows XP...

TIA, Vic :cert:

Datawiz

03-07-2012, 9:20pm

I have an older IBM thinkpad laptop my kid left behind when she moved out and I want to use it but we can't remember the password. Anyone know how to get around it? Its running windows XP...

TIA, Vic :cert:

Boot with a Linix CD and change the password. Others should likely chime in. Google it, you should find it. I'm off to bed, sorry.

JRD77VET

03-07-2012, 9:21pm

The model number would help you do a google search for the info

MEANZ06

03-07-2012, 9:24pm

The model number would help you do a google search for the info

T41 I believe is the model...

kingpin

03-07-2012, 9:34pm

There was a trick I used on a laptop where it was password protected.
I think you had to remove the little cmos battery in the back, and take the normal battery out.
Replace cmos battery, then plug in the charger without the normal battery and boot up.

I can't remember exactly so I suggest taking a sledgehammer to it.

kingpin

03-07-2012, 9:40pm

Which password is it?
Is it the power on passsword or the xp password?

MEANZ06

03-07-2012, 9:52pm

There was a trick I used on a laptop where it was password protected.
I think you had to remove the little cmos battery in the back, and take the normal battery out.
Replace cmos battery, then plug in the charger without the normal battery and boot up.

I can't remember exactly so I suggest taking a sledgehammer to it.

this one will be killed for your amusement if i can get the IBM to work... :D

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p275/meanz06/1331174903.jpg

it died the other day and i don't want to spend any money on it (new HD)

Which password is it?
Is it the power on passsword or the xp password?

:dunno: turn it on and it asks for a password...

kingpin

03-07-2012, 9:56pm

I love how you always seem to have that sledge ready. :lol:

Try this:

Turn off the computer.
Remove the battery pack.
Remove the backup(cmos/watch battery) battery.
Turn on the computer and wait until the POST ends. After the POST ends, the password prompt does not appear. The POP has been removed.
Reinstall the backup battery and the battery pack.
Note: Some ThinkPad systems have the ability to reset the Power-on passwords in the ThinkPad BIOS setup utility if a Supervisor password has been set.

The cmos battery is usually behind a small panel on the bottom with a couple screws holding it in.

Wathen1955

03-07-2012, 10:04pm

On that old laptop, it may be underneath the keyboard.

Yep...its underneath the keyboard:
Repairing IBM ThinkPad T41 BIOS Battery - iFixit (http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repairing-IBM-ThinkPad-T41-BIOS-Battery/2916/1)

kingpin

03-07-2012, 10:08pm

On that old laptop, it may be underneath the keyboard.

Yep...its underneath the keyboard:
Repairing IBM ThinkPad T41 BIOS Battery - iFixit (http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repairing-IBM-ThinkPad-T41-BIOS-Battery/2916/1)

That's a bitch!

MEANZ06

03-07-2012, 10:14pm

On that old laptop, it may be underneath the keyboard.

Yep...its underneath the keyboard:
Repairing IBM ThinkPad T41 BIOS Battery - iFixit (http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repairing-IBM-ThinkPad-T41-BIOS-Battery/2916/1)

That's a bitch!

yeah, I believe this is the case... :banghead:

MEANZ06

03-07-2012, 10:15pm

Does it ask before or after you see the Windows XP logo?

after...

kingpin

03-07-2012, 10:21pm

after...

Hmm...
My solution probably won't work.
It's for the power on password I think.

SLEDGEHAMMER TIME! :D

NeedSpeed

03-07-2012, 10:30pm

I'd just format it and start clean.

MEANZ06

03-07-2012, 10:31pm

Hmm...
My solution probably won't work.

no it did not. i took the battery out and tried to restart it and now it just keeps looping around and restarting... never getting to the password screen... :issues:

kingpin

03-07-2012, 10:33pm

no it did not. i took the battery out and tried to restart it and now it just keeps looping around and restarting... never getting to the password screen... :issues:

:leaving:

MEANZ06

03-07-2012, 10:35pm

so, for the pictured sony above how hard and whats the cost to change the HD? I don't need anything fancy just internet with wifi. I use it as a "slave" to watch content on my TV...

kingpin

03-07-2012, 10:38pm

You have a problem with a simple format and reinstall of xp?

MEANZ06

03-07-2012, 10:40pm

You have a problem with a simple format and reinstall of xp?

i have no disc... but yeah, i'm that stupid... :lol:

JRD77VET

03-07-2012, 10:42pm

i have no disc... but yeah, i'm that stupid... :lol:

Do you have the validation code for XP? ( 25 characters, five groups of five )

MEANZ06

03-07-2012, 10:52pm

Do you have the validation code for XP? ( 25 characters, five groups of five )

I do. It's on the bottom of the machine. the problem now is it keeps looping around and restarting, going nowhere...

I'm certainly glad I bought the Apple care for my Mac... :lol:

kingpin

03-07-2012, 10:56pm

Did you put all the batteries back in.

MEANZ06

03-07-2012, 10:59pm

Did you put all the batteries back in.

:skia:

kingpin

03-07-2012, 11:06pm

:skia:

Bah, how much can an itsy bitsy hard drive be for that thing anyway.

Did you take it apart and remove the cmos battery that was under the keyboard?

MEANZ06

03-07-2012, 11:13pm

You broke it. Good job. :rofl:

that what I get for listening to a Canuck.... :slap:

:D

kingpin

03-07-2012, 11:19pm

http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k507/mike4452/0e7d315b.jpg

MEANZ06

03-07-2012, 11:30pm

I guess as it stands now I'd rather fix my Sony. It WAS my tried and true workhorse for the last 6yrs... :seasix:

suggestions on a HD anyone?

JMS32935

03-08-2012, 1:46am

... suggestions on a HD anyone?

First, figure out what kind of HD you need (that is, does it need SATA or IDE).

Then, go to Best Buy and buy one of that kind.
Doesn't matter what brand, but choices will likely be WD vs Seagate.
Get the cheapest one that's big enough.
It will probably cost about $100.

:cert:

--------

About your T41 (I had one of those)... I was expecting your issue to be a BIOS password, but those ask for password Before Windows shows. Since it now seems your issue was actually a Windows password, the battery trick was the wrong thing to do. What someone need to do now is restore BIOS defaults. Unless you really broke it, that is.

What You should do is give it to some geeky kid who wants to play with it. If kid is interested in anything that old, that is.

--------

MEANZ06

03-08-2012, 2:12am

First, figure out what kind of HD you need (that is, does it need SATA or IDE).

how can i tell which one?

Then, go to Best Buy and buy one of that kind.
Doesn't matter what brand, but choices will likely be WD vs Seagate.
Get the cheapest one that's big enough.

big enough? i save everything to an external

It will probably cost about $100.

no biggie, was just trying to save some coin

:cert:

--------

About your T41 (I had one of those)... I was expecting your issue to be a BIOS password, but those ask for password Before Windows shows. Since it now seems your issue was actually a Windows password, the battery trick was the wrong thing to do. What someone need to do now is restore BIOS defaults. Unless you really broke it, that is.

What You should do is give it to some geeky kid who wants to play with it. If kid is interested in anything that old, that is.

--------

the T41 was more of an afterthought when i lost the vaio... :cert: