How to Reset the BIOS in a Lenovo T61

In most cases, computers are rather forgiving when users make incorrect changes to the basic input/output system firmware. One area where computers are not forgiving, however, is in the BIOS password. If you accidentally set a power-on password for your Lenovo ThinkPad T61, or made another change that prevents you from using the computer, you can temporarily disconnect the battery that stores this information to reset the BIOS configuration.

Turn the ThinkPad T61 off. Position the computer face down with the screen closed and the battery and all cables removed. Turn the computer so that the empty battery compartment faces away from you.

Unscrew the five Phillips-head screws on the bottom of the ThinkPad T61. Four of the screws are in a line on the front half of the computer and the fifth is in the middle. Turn the ThinkPad T61 over and open the screen.

Locate the release buttons on the side of the palm rest, and push them in. While holding the buttons, lift the palm rest away from the computer until you are able to access the cable for the touch pad.

Grasp the touch pad cable by the pull tab on the end, and gently lift the cable off of the motherboard connector. Set the palm rest aside.

Lift the keyboard out of its compartment in the middle of the ThinkPad T61. Disconnect the keyboard cable in the same way you removed the touch pad table. Set the keyboard aside. Near the center of the ThinkPad T61, you should see a metallic coin cell battery with a wire coming out of it. The wire ends with a white plastic plug connected to the motherboard.

Disconnect the white plug from the motherboard. If the plug is connected too tightly for you to remove it with your hand, gently pry the plug up with a non-conductive tool.

Reconnect the ThinkPad T61 power cable and turn the computer on. Allow a moment for it to display an error message about the missing keyboard, then turn it back off. The BIOS for the ThinkPad T61 has been cleared.

Reconnect the coin cell battery. Reverse the previous steps to reassemble the ThinkPad T61.