How to Clear the BIOS Password on an IBM ThinkPad R51

IBM ThinkPad R51 is a laptop series from IBM. Just like all other computers it also has a facility to set a boot time password which is also known as the BIOS password. This password is of two kinds – one is for securing the BIOS itself and other is for allowing the computer to boot. If you set the boot password then your laptop will not pass the BIOS until and unless correct password is entered. All this happens before the operating system comes into control and so if you forget this Boot time password set in the BIOS then no bootable CD or Floppy can help you in getting it back.

In the post below we have mentioned the ways to get the password removed from the BIOS if you have set one and have forgotten.

Step 1: Firstly you close your machine and then turn it completely off i.e. upside-down. Now remove the battery pack from the battery socket. Now you place it face-down on your desk or some work surface.

Step 2: After this you remove the one Phillips-head screw using the Phillips-head screwdriver while holding the hard drive carrier to the corner of the machine opposite the empty battery compartment slowly. Now you have to gently slide the hard drive carrier out of the computer to place it in a safe location.

Step 3: Now you are required to find and remove the four Phillips-head screws on the bottom of the computer. You have to turn it over now and then open the screen. Slowly push open the plastic panel on the top part of the keyboard forward, in the direction of the screen. The locking tabs will release the keyboard as the keys come out.

Step 4: You have to lift the keyboard slightly to reveal the cable connecting it to the motherboard and then set aside the keyboard by lifting the cable off the motherboard connector. You now close the screen and turn ThinkPad over. After this you have to unscrew the five Phillips-head screws along the bottom of the front edge of machine. The screws have adjacent icons looking similar to palm rest or touch pad.

Step 5: Now unscrew the four Phillips-head screws near the empty battery compartment with the same icon as in previous step. Once more unscrew the six Phillips-head screws situated in interior of the bottom of the machine having the similar icons to make a total of 15 screws.

Step 6: Now you have to turn the machine over to open the screen again. After this you disconnect the small cable connecting the motherboard, and lift the palm rest and touch pad away from it to see a small reserve battery.

Step 7: From here you disconnect and remove the reserve battery and connect the power cable to the back of the computer and push the power button. This starts the computer without asking for a BIOS password. After this, put back the ThinkPad by reversing the steps you just followed.

The above steps give you a BIOS-password free ThinkPad R51 to work. So, now you can enjoy your Software Applications on your ThinkPad R51