this post was submitted on 26 Jun 2023
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Location of BIOS/CMOS security chip on Thinkpad T470? (self.askelectronics)
submitted 1 year ago by B20bob to c/[email protected]
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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!

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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.

[–] B20bob 1 points 1 year ago

Could I trouble to for a link when you get a chance? For some reason I haven't been able to find anything for the T470. I would hugely appreciate it.

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

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

[–] B20bob 1 points 1 year ago

I appreciate it. But unfortunately on these thinkpads the BIOS is stored in non-volitile EEPROM, so removing the BIOS battery doesn't reset anything in this case.

[–] [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] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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