ThinkPad 390E - Locked Password

[Marcs41]

I got this old TP-390E, but the supervisor (not the Power-On) password is set, and of course unknown.
I contacted IBM as their site and others state the mainboard needs to be replaced.
Of course I first dissasembled the whole thing, remove batteries etc., the works. Nothing helped.
Does anyone have any experience with this as I would hate to give IBM alot of money for a new motherboard on an old laptop, just because a password is forgotten.

As posted by DucatiST2 in my wrong thread, the site

http://www.ja.axxs.net/unlock/

may help, but I would like some confirmation on this too if possible.

Marc

 

[8humhum8]

removing the battery didnt help? wow. for how long did u remove it? u probably know that most mobos give you a 60 sec period to replace batteries. so when u take it out, leave it out for several minutes.

check this out:

http://www.epanorama.net/wwwboard/messages/3137.html

check this article, its about a modle similar to yours:

http://www.pc.ibm.com/qtechinfo/LWIK-3NCG5S.html

also, isnt it possible to flash a new rom? or replace the rom chip u have on that mobo? even if ibm wont do it, you can probably do it yourself if you find an identical mobo, or a mobo with an identical chip (small chance tho...)

finally,

http://www.pwcrack.com/

but youll have to pay for that chip. and i dunno about the reliability of that solution.

 

[Marcs41]

Done all that, but thanks anyway.
Batteries were out for hours and like I said, I really dismantled that think to almost the last screw!
I think I am just hoping for that last straw somewhere, but I guess it's hopeless.
If I have to pay, I will be IBM, at least there will be a warranty.

Marc
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