What's a bios password?

mrbrightside842

Hi!

I sold an old laptop on ebay for someone else, and they've now opened a 'not as described' dispute as they asked me for the bios password and we didn't know what they were on about and told them so. We don't know if it's a personal password, or one that would be included with paperwork of the laptop which we don't have. I don't know how it's 'not as decribed' as it was fully working, but can't really be sure what's what without knowing what the bios password is for.

steven_garner

BIOS is used when you need to make system changes (not in windows but the system hardware settings)

Normally when you first turn the computer on it say "Press F1 to enter setup" or something similar. if you purchased the laptop used it may have already had a password enabled.

What laptop is it? im a laptop engineer and depending on the make/model these passwords can be removed easily.

mrbrightside842

steven_garner wrote: »

BIOS is used when you need to make system changes (not in windows but the system hardware settings)

Normally when you first turn the computer on it say "Press F1 to enter setup" or something similar. if you purchased the laptop used it may have already had a password enabled.

What laptop is it? im a laptop engineer and depending on the make/model these passwords can be removed easily.

Hi, thanks. It's a lenovo thinkpad T60. I imagine it will already have been second hand, before being sold on, but not sure.

the182guy

A BIOS password is not to be confused with a password for logging into Windows or another Operating System.

Basically, a BIOS password is used to stop unauthorised users from changing low level settings for a computer. Most users will never need to make changes to any BIOS/CMOS settings. It is mainly for technicians and advanced users. A BIOS password is often set on public computers e.g in a library or school computers.

Was it second hand when your friend got it? If so then the password could have been set by the previous owner.

Sometimes a backdoor password works, on this page is a list of backdoor passwords for various manufacturers:
http://www.topbits.com/reset-bios-password.html

steven_garner

mrbrightside842 wrote: »

Hi, thanks. It's a lenovo thinkpad T60. I imagine it will already have been second hand, before being sold on, but not sure.

Sorry but i work on a lot of T60/T61 laptops and whenever i get one with a password i just replace the system board.
When i was IBM/Lenovo accredited (now expired, waiting for re-accreditation) IBM said that that the BIOS password cant be removed but i have heard rumours that they have released some software that can may be able to get rid of it, i will ask the other guys in the workshop tomorrow to confirm.

i know the normal tricks defiantly don’t works (removing BIOS battery, chaning asset + S/N information ect)

did you buy it used? i would get onto whoever sold it to you for the password, you can also try some of the most used passwords

password
Pa55w0rd
admin
letmein
pcamin
administrator

mrbrightside842

Thanks again. I sold it on behalf of someone else and I'm pretty sure it will have been used when bought, as he buys a few and sells them on, so doubt he'll know where it came from but I'll check with him.

If the password can't be supplied, can they claim not as described? I didn't say any passwords would be included.

the182guy

steven_garner wrote: »

Sorry but i work on a lot of T60/T61 laptops and whenever i get one with a password i just replace the system board.

I agree with this, I did some searching and it looks like it's very difficult if not impossible to reset the BIOS password for the lenovo thinkpad T60. There is actually an eBay seller that does resets, and in his auction listing he states that the T60 is more complicated and may not be possible. I wouldn't recommend using someone like that due to the possibility of damage through the use of soldering and motherboard hacks.

IBM forbid discussion of resetting the BIOS password on their forums.

steven_garner

They would win if PayPal got involved.

To use some features of the laptop they would need to access the BIOS to change some system settings so it would be not fit for purpose.

I would refund and get the laptop back and relist as spare/repair and make clear that the laptop has a BIOS password, only problem with this is its hard to prove the laptop not stolen.

Or you can "break it"

I know parts for these laptops sell well, the LCD alone will be worth ~£100, plus you could sell the CPU, RAM, HDD, plastic covers, case, screws (as a kit)

How much did it sell for in the end? i wouldn’t mind a new laptop

steven_garner

the182guy wrote: »

I agree with this, I did some searching and it looks like it's very difficult if not impossible to reset the BIOS password for the lenovo thinkpad T60. There is actually an eBay seller that does resets, and in his auction listing he states that the T60 is more complicated and may not be possible. I wouldn't recommend using someone like that due to the possibility of damage through the use of soldering and motherboard hacks.

IBM forbid discussion of resetting the BIOS password on their forums.

i know earlyer IBM laptop (T40 series) you can short the security chip using copper wire but its recommended you stand well back
I guess the same may apply with the T60 series.

mrbrightside842

the182guy wrote: »

I agree with this, I did some searching and it looks like it's very difficult if not impossible to reset the BIOS password for the lenovo thinkpad T60. There is actually an eBay seller that does resets, and in his auction listing he states that the T60 is more complicated and may not be possible. I wouldn't recommend using someone like that due to the possibility of damage through the use of soldering and motherboard hacks.

IBM forbid discussion of resetting the BIOS password on their forums.

Thanks, I hadn't realised people could reset them. I admittedly don't know much about laptops!

steven_garner wrote: »

They would win if PayPal got involved.

To use some features of the laptop they would need to access the BIOS to change some system settings so it would be not fit for purpose.

I would refund and get the laptop back and relist as spare/repair and make clear that the laptop has a BIOS password, only problem with this is its hard to prove the laptop not stolen.

Or you can "break it"

I know parts for these laptops sell well, the LCD alone will be worth ~£100, plus you could sell the CPU, RAM, HDD, plastic covers, case, screws (as a kit)

How much did it sell for in the end? i wouldn’t mind a new laptop

Lol!

D'oh, not good. Looks like they'll be getting a refund then. It sold for £140. I've spoken to the person I was selling it on behalf of, and he's said that the previous owner did give a generic password for it, and he included it with the laptop, but it likely doesn't work. Though I don't think the buyer's mentioned it, I'm not sure now, will have to check that. I haven't actually had any contact with the buyer as I passed the emails on. I hate selling things for other people, but hate saying 'no' to family :rolleyes:

Thanks again!