Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

[medinfo]

Thinkpad L560 Bios Password

Thinkpad L560 Bios Password ?!!
Possible to unlock it from eeprom ??

[magneh]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

Has anyone been able to unlock/reprogram one L560 with bios PWD

Ive reprogrammed BIOS, KBC and still have bios locked

When the PC boots up the first time after bios flash I get this error

0183: Bad CRC of Security Settings in EFI Variable.

Could it be the security chip preventing the unlock??

Jeezz what a nightmare

[magneh]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

I may be wrong, but customers have reported that some Lenovo ThinkPad models need bottom cover to be installed, otherwise bios chip won't get +3.3V... worth a try.

wow
And they are completely right...theres a little switch on the board that the cover push on when in place... some reset signal that prevents 3.3V on the board.

So just need to put some tape on it and I have 3.3V on the bios, and both laptops booting up, still with Bios PWD.

I feel like a donkey right now

[magneh]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

which programmer do you use?
Do you use a clip or desolder the chip?

I made the observation that sometimes (with clip) some bytes aren't written correctly.
I mainly used SkyPro II ... and from time to time TL866 II (should be better, but can't be used with clip)

Try desolder the bios chip and check whats happen in this state and reprogram the chip with your old bios dump.

Well finally back to these machines.
I have 2 working L650 with bios locked.
The 3.3V are not coming up after I de soldered the bios, re programmed with the dump posted here, and soldered it back.
Since then machine is dead. No reaction at all. I can confirm the 3.3V are not present in pin 8 of the bios.

I use a SP8-a programmer with the 8 pin adapter for the bios.
Used directly on the programmer.

I can confirm there is no damage on the bios pads or surrounding area/components.

I did the same thing to a second L560. Same result. machine dead since then. Very weird...

Ive measured the Bios pins in diode mode of a working and a non working L560.
I can see considerable differences in certain pins.

pin working L560 L560 KO L560 KO without
bios chip
1 .693 .654 .586
2 .560 .544 .542
3 .736 .580 .624
4 0 0 0
5 .727 .610 .631
6 .590 .565 .631
7 .727 .598 .626
8 .357 .363 .360

But even seeing this, this wont justify the 3.3V to not be present AFAIK...

Seeing this, what would you more experienced guys do?
Thanks for any inputs

[drgn997]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

I may be wrong, but customers have reported that some Lenovo ThinkPad models need bottom cover to be installed, otherwise bios chip won't get +3.3V... worth a try.

[Pferd5]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

which programmer do you use?
Do you use a clip or desolder the chip?

I made the observation that sometimes (with clip) some bytes aren't written correctly.
I mainly used SkyPro II ... and from time to time TL866 II (should be better, but can't be used with clip)

Try desolder the bios chip and check whats happen in this state and repgramm the chip with your old bios dump.

[magneh]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

Hi,

Yes, but the thing here is that the 2 laptops I flashed with the PWD clear dump, they both behave the same way.

No power at all.
In one of them I rolled back to original dump, and still the same.

So its weird as I have the same problem with both. No power after bios programming.

Im sure the 3v line is not shorted, as the diode mode measurements showed in BIOS chip IC pins.

I will do some checks when Im at the office.

[mcplslg123]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

Do you know where I could by some programmed KBC's for this particular model?

Once again, thanks for your time!

Cheers

I never buyed them online as i have all the tools. So cant say but try searching on ebay.

[mcplslg123]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

Check for resistance to gnd on 3 and 5v coil to begin with. 0V at kbc means probably your 3v rail is shorted somewhere. Can be 'coz of KBC but there can be "N" number of reasons for 3v rail to pulled down.

[magneh]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

Oh dear...

Remember I said both laptops I flashed with the clear Bios did not turned on after?

Just rolled back the dump to the original one, and still no power, nothing.
Quick measurements, 20V entering in the DC jack.
Bios chip Ov in all pins... no good...

No knocked components, bios chip well soldered, no shorts.

What could be the cause for this? KBC chip ?

Kinda lost now...

[magneh]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

Do you know where I could by some programmed KBC's for this particular model?

Once again, thanks for your time!

Cheers

[mcplslg123]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

Pre-programmed kbc means the kbc is already flashed with dump specific to that mb. So no need to flash kbc on your end assuming the kbc you buy is ok and correct program is flashed. I advised so as you said you dont intend to use it frequently. Else go for svod3. Its a good investment.

[magneh]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

Hi there!
Thanks again for your feedback.

When you mean to look for pre-programmed KBC for this model, you mean the programming for the IC right?

Is this coming with the software of the programmer? or should be downloaded?

Sorry for all the questions again.

PS : I think I can get the SVOD V3 for 150€. maybe its a good investment

[mcplslg123]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

The programmer in your link is probably Vertyanov which is also a good choice. I dont know about the price difference between svod and Vertyanov in your country. You can go for it or if you dont intende to use it frequently -look for pre-programmed kbc for your model.

[magneh]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

Yes, just program the kbc. Svod is a good choice.

Hi there,

Yes, SVOD seems to be a nice programmer.

As I dont do these jobs too often, do you think the one I referred could also do the job?

Or SVOD is a much better investment long therm wise?

Thanks,

Jose Rei

[mahmoodjavan]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

Your file password cleared. Enjoy.

tankyou

[mcplslg123]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

Yes, just program the kbc. Svod is a good choice.

[magneh]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

Hi!

Thanks for the info!

So no need to do anything with this chip I've been trying to re program?

Just reprogram the KBC then?

Can you send me a link or recommend a good KBC programmer for this?

would this one be a good option?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ITE-ENE-IO-...:pf:0&LH_BIN=1

Thank you

[SMDFlea]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

The password is stored in the npce388. You will need a KBC programmer as mcplslg123 said .

[magneh]

Re: Lenovo L560 - bios PWD

The kbc in use here is npce388 which is programmable. The password may be stored in kbc also. If you have kbc programmer, then try programming kbc

Hi there!

I will roll back the bios with the original backup and test it tomorrow.

I dont have a KBC programmer unfortunately.

Could this be an issue to unlock these laptops?

I will update the thread tomorrow.

Thanks!