Service Forum

[sog]

Hi all,

This is my first post so i will try to do my best.
Below you will find my very own experience of unlocking my Thinkpad X61s with the software tools provided from ALLservice. (Many thanks to Victor)

Well, what we get if we put a smart-a*s seller, a stupid buyer (me) and ebay in a mixer...?
That's right a locked thinkpad.
The laptop was locked from the root "supervisor password" and believe me there is no way to make it work without help.

If you got here (this forum) then probably the next day you will have your TP running unlocked.

I used SI-PROG (simple-i2cprog.pdf) the simplest method and it worked just fine for me.
I read the eeprom (ATMEL 24RF08) just fine with R24RF08, got my .BIN file but guess what, the laptop was encrypted with TCPA.

So reading eeprom wasn't enough, i had to erase it and re-flash it with W24RF08.

I got the required software tools from Allservice, grab my own tools and gain a whole bunch of self-trust to start. The last one you will really need it when you face for the first time the internal parts of your thinkpad.

Make sure you use a solder iron with a very fine tip and also you will have to work under strong lighting.

Get the Workshop manual of Thinkpad X61s from IBM to prepare yourself.

Carry out the diagram given by Victor, (you will find a few ways to do it in this forum so pick the one you like and make sure you do it right),
open up your TP and my suggestion find a way to avoid soldering as it needs experience but if you chose soldering then leave it last.

Below are some pics i took during the whole operation. I hope you will find them useful.

Main Board

Main Board (Closer)

Wiring

Soldering tool with fine tip

Reading results

Writing results

Ok, as you can see allservice tools worked perfectly.

I was able first read eeprom and then erase and write into it.

And finally success.

BIOS revealed

Good luck.

Thank you all and especially Victor.

[victor]

Nice one Sog, thank you so much.

Cyprus, nice place. I plan to go there next summer so the beers are on you
_________________
Victor Voinea
ALLservice HQ, Romania.

[sog]

Yes indeed a nice place for summer.
Victor, if you come to Cyprus ill get you a whole barrel of beer so you can dive in it...

Cheers...

[darkeye]

how did you erase it. please explain it in details

[victor]

Sog used W24RF08 and our TCPA reset service.
_________________
Victor Voinea
ALLservice HQ, Romania.