Errors in ThinkPad Bios and Thinkvantage Software

I have been using my ThinkPad T61 model 7664-A24 for almost 6 months now and have noticed quite a few errors in the bios and Thinkvantage software.

1. Bios:
Security>Passwords>Passphrase is grayed out and has no functionality.

2. Bios:
Security>Passwords>Password Reset Service: The instructions in the description window to the right tell us to go to 'Create Recovery Media' in Windows>ThinkVantage and set up password reset service to recover power-on or hard disk password in case of loss. However there is no such thing in Thinkvantage>Create Recovery Media.

3. Predesktop Rescue and Recovery workspace:
The documentation when you click 'Configuration Overview' relating to setting up a password to protect the Rescue and Recovery predesktop environment is wrong - Method 1 and Method 3 of creating this password in Client Security Solution and Rescue and Recovery respectively do not exist.

While these errors do not impede the functionality the ThinkPad, I wish Lenovo would tighten up the screws. I can't understand how such a big company could be so sloppy. The bios should not have any dependency on external software but here some bios functions are dependent on RnR in Windows? I've tried removing the RnR and CSS program but the bios 'Password Reset Service' option remains. I hope Lenovo issues updates to fix these errors.

I will add bugs and errors in the software to this thread as I find them.

 

Hi can anyone check their T61 or R61 to see if their bios has the same issues?

 

If your passphrase is blanked out:
It's either because you didn't select "Passhprase-On"
or,
Because your BIOS system is in fact faulty.

There's a 3rd case too:
If your machine was issued to a benefactor, such as a university or
under some "Try-out" condition, the BIOS system may be inaccessible or
partially inoperable.

Insofar as Thinkvantage:
Remember, this is but a partition on your primary hdd.
In order to recover the system; you should use the actual blue button on your keyboard-not via the BIOS system.
The idea is that the BIOS system precedes a partition-loading O.S., however
in the case of Lenovo (or IBM) that O.S. in recovery does in fact precede the BIOS system-only during recovery.
It's like asking the BIOS system to access and alter a partition on the primary hdd...
The reason for this is hardware encryption used on most modern Lenovo's. (A chip usually found below the keyboard's surface-top right corner)

Lastly, insofar as the Security solution:
Have you actually downloaded the appropriate; add-on software provided by IBM (and not Lenovo) insofar as the Thinkvantage Security solution; or are you just using whatever the machine was shipped with?
If you haven't (most people don't even know about this) no alterations or advanced configurations will be available.

 

Bios updated to latest: 7LETC5WW

All ThinkVantage software is updated to latest. RnR predesktop docs are still outdated.

Bios Security>Passwords>Passphrase>enabled option cannot be selected.

I know all about what bios does and what the RnR does. No need to explain. My T61 is a private owned model 7664-A24, not a "Try out". Have you checked yours to see if the same?

 

On my T500 the bios passphrase only works when i disable all three passwords supervisor, power-on and hard disk. I can't find any mention of password reset in bios.

 

Thanks for the clarification of the Passphrase function.

However, this "Password Reset Service" in Bios>Security> Passwords>Password Reset Service seems to be embedded in all the T61, R61 bios I've seen (belonging to friends) and has no functionality. One friend told me it once had functionality when he bought it in 2007 but after he updated all the bios, software in 2008 it no longer has functionality. Also, their RnR predesktop documentation is also outdated as in mine.

Seems that they are still selling new updated preload T61s with this small oversight.

 

I believe some BIOS error hit me as well with my T500 - despite the fact that the passphrase Option is greyed out in BIOS for me as well:

Yesterday i did set a HDD password (User+Master) which worked fine - i can sucessfully unlock the hdd and boot my rig providing either the user or the master (with F1) HDD password.

Now i would like to change the HDD password - but unfortunately the corresponding option in the BIOS ( Hard Disk1 Password [User+Master] ) is greyed out - no matter how I log on to the BIOS (User or Supervisor).

I remember in old IBM days the HDD password was removable by adding a blank char (space) at the end of the correct password - however this trick doesnt do it for the T500.

Does anyone know which supposedly wicked key-combo is needed to allow the change of a known hdd password? Or is it a bug like tatooed password for eternity :-O

 

Hi did u log in to bios with that user+master password? Cuz logging in with a simple user password will not allow u to change the master.

If u manage to get the option ungreyed then i believe u will be asked for the old password and then just enter blank entries for the new password and then it will be cleared.

 

Anyone check their T61 or T61p to see if they have issues 2. and/or 3. described in post #1?

 

This thread might be helpful.