Hello,
i forgot the bios-password of an old computer.
Does anybody know if there is a universal
bios-password, to save the system, once the old pw is lost.

would appreciate your advice;

Patricio Tucholla

Hi, everyone;

my "Word 2000" broke down and now just displays
on the whole screen, but format ing features and symbols are missing, how can reset the default
setting.

Thank you and
ALL

Not that I'm aware of nor if there was would it be appropriate to publish such a thing here. Power-onn passwords on laptops are an antitheft measure and there is no manual resetting by removing CMOS battery or using reset jumpers as is the case in most desktop units. You will need to see an authorised IBM dealer and provide proof of ownership.

I used to have a signature but it disappeared and I just couldn't be bothered writing another so please feel free to ingore this.

No such animal, the pw is burned in EEPROM.
See an outfit like this which requires proof of ownership and probably charges more than the machine is worth:

http://www.nortek.on.ca/hdd_pw.html

Best

Appreciate your answers!

I am perfectly aware of the sensible ownership-issue,
yet bought the pc(it is not a laptop) in all honesty in Berlin as a used equippment.

I am contacting "Award" right now.

Appreciate your advices;
all the best from good ol´Germany;

Patricio Tucholla

Hi, everyone;

my "Word 2000" broke down and now just displays
on the whole screen, but format ing features and symbols are missing, how can reset the default
setting.

Thank you and
ALL

So the system you are talking about is not the IBM A22m mentioned in your heading? Sorry for the misunderstanding. If this is a desktop type system then depending on the maker resetting the bios PWD is accomplished either by a jumper setting or sometimes by temporary removal of the CMOS battery. So tell us the correct information and you're more likely to get an answer that is relevant.

I used to have a signature but it disappeared and I just couldn't be bothered writing another so please feel free to ingore this.

You don't have to contact anyone. All you have to do is ClearCMOS & it will remove the password. As Richard explained, just remove the motherboard battery (with power cord unplugged), wait a minute, then reinstall the battery...the password will be cleared & all BIOS settings will have reverted to the defaults. If you don't wanna go thru the hassle, use a program called KILLCMOS...it will accomplish the same thing, without opening the case

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/KILLCMOS.shtml

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2969.html

ASUS A7N8X-X
Athlon XP 1800+
8.5 x 200MHz
1024MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7
Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB
WinME/WinXP Pro SP2

jam is probably correct, but Thinkpads can have (I think) three levels of passwords.

If it IS in fact truely a bios password, you can "clear" the bios.

Go to IBM.com and download the user manual, and most important, the "hardware maintenance manual" for that machine. Here's a starter page:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/multiplefiledownload.do?validate=true

Here's the page for the user manuals:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-4HTQAL

A link to the "hardware maintenance manual"

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?subcategoryind=0&familyind=50303&brandind=10&doccategoryind=0&modelind=0&doctypeind=8&validate=true&partnumberind=0&sitestyle=lenovo&template=%2Fproductpage%2Flandingpages%2FproductPageLandingPage.vm&operatingsystemind=49979&machineind=0

IT IS IMPORTANT that you read through these. If it is in fact a password that is in an EEPROM, there are some "aftermarket" fixes commonly available on ebay. I have not tried them.

It is my understanding that if this is in fact a "hard drive" password, you might as well replace the hard drive. They are supposedly VERY secure.

Also, if you do a Google search for

thinkpad, "password recovery"

You'll get a lot of hits

And, a little more in explanation:

http://www.nortek.on.ca/faq.html

GOD BLESS AMERICA !!!

I really thank you!!!
This is funny; here in Germany nobody will advice me IT-issues, but you americans ALWAYS
help me out with my computing troubles.

I wholeheartedly appreciate that,
may GOD bless your country.

An Award person just mailed me, advising the same procdure;

JUST CLEAR IT !!!

ALL THE BEST
from Germany

Patricio

Hi, everyone;

my "Word 2000" broke down and now just displays
on the whole screen, but format ing features and symbols are missing, how can reset the default
setting.

Thank you and
ALL

I know that there is no backdoor for the ibm thinkpads at all! I might be able to help you out? I have alot of information on how to go about getting your password back. here is my web site: http://ibmpassword.serveftp.com