Service Forum

[Wordsmith]

1999 TP390X 256M mem 12 GB IBM Travelstar hdd BIOS rev A.05 [or something like that, I think - can't check anymore!] W2k is OS

I had no need for the security of a BIOS pwd anymore and in Setup removed it by either using DEL key or BKSP key to eliminate characters; not sure if I pressed a key for each or highlighted the whole thing [if you can] and then pressed a key. But, on reboot it was still locked, old pwd didn't work, some 'master' IBM pwds failed also, removing PS, batt, & RTC batt for 20 hrs also failed, all techniques I've found so far. I have your code reader SW & the parts for the dongle, but want to ask you pros about this first since the pwd was not forgotten but deliberately removed, which I havent seen in any postings yet.

The power-on pwd [when the lock appears] and the pwd in Setup [to make changes] and any other pwds were the same 7-character pwd; only the W2k logon pwd was different. When booting and pressing F[1 or 2] to enter Setup, that pwd also doesn't work and as said was the same. so I'm locked out of anything.

I saw in one posting somewhere that a read attempt only got null code in the result. I'm not a novice, but what might a pwd null code be and is there a way to enter that from the kybd when the lock symbol shows up on boot? I haven't gotten into the PC case yet but assume from all the postings I've seen that it has the usual notorious magic AMTEL chip.

This may be related: I took out the hdd & tried to get the data off using a USB hdd adapter with a dektop, but nothing would come up. [A whole slew of other desktop hdds read fine.] I also tried to set up a new 2-year old Hitachi Travelstar intended for the 390X using the USB adapter but again got nothing. I had installed the Hitachi in a desktop to install W2k and set it up as replacement for the 390 but again I couldn't do anything w/W2k. However, I was able to use a W98 boot disk to partition & format the Hitachi, but couldn't do anything more with it. Are Travelstar hdds locked by some secret method only an IBM tech [or you guys] can open? I don't actually recall setting up any specific hdd pwd, only startup and Setup, so why can't I access Travelstar hdds from other PCs? EESHH!

Thanks for the fine work that has helped so many, & keep it up. When IBM sold out to Lenovo, a great wealth of TP info on the IBM site went to oblivion. Folks like you are the only hope for us since I LIKE my old TP & don't want to buy another laptop.

[bob]

Wow!

I will take it step by step, if you agree:

[Wordsmith]

Ah, it becomes more clear! I have never seen a padlock+cylinders icon on any PC, so I now know hdds are not locked. I will try the Travelstar hdds in other PCs again soon w/o USB adapters.

I will try the reader technique after I get settled in the upcoming move & new job. I have faith it will work & will let you know in a final post to this. [I hope my post wasn't too long but I tried to get ALL relevant info in the first time. Besides, I'm a tech writer anyway and can never type enough. Your answer was well done, issue by issue.]

Thanks for the quick reply and again for all the work in doing this for us abandoned IBM TP users. I plan to get Victor's hi-end reader & writer SW in about a month so I can tinker with that and maybe help some others less able to do these things on their own. All hail ALLSERVICE!