this post was submitted on 26 Jun 2023
6 points (100.0% liked)

Ask Electronics

3173 readers
2 users here now

For questions about component-level electronic circuits, tools and equipment.

Rules

1: Be nice.

2: Be on-topic (eg: Electronic, not electrical).

3: No commercial stuff, buying, selling or valuations.

4: Be safe.

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
[email protected]
[email protected]
6
Location of BIOS/CMOS security chip on Thinkpad T470? (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
5 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I recently bought a thinkpad T470 for a good deal, and it turns out that it was a good deal because the BIOS is locked with an admin password so I can't install an OS, or change any BIOS settings.

I also recently came across a paper that describes a "security flaw" in most thinkpads where you can bypass, then reset the admin password by shorting the SDA and SCL pins on the BIOS chip.

Does anyone know where this chip is located on the MOBO? I would be hugely appreciative if you would be so kind as to point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance!

top 5 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

IFixIt have a guide for removing the CMOS battery if that helps at all.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Remove the CMOS battery, the password should reset, then you can get in the BIOS.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

No, this doesn't work for ThinkPads. The password persists even without power.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I was able to find a video on YouTube for my model and it looks like there are some for yours as well where someone demonstrates the steps.