Lenovo Thinkcentre M720q Bios Password Reset ((better)) -

Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q BIOS Password Reset

If you've forgotten the BIOS password on your Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q, don't worry! Resetting it is a relatively straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you regain access to your computer:

Method 1: Using the Reset Header

1. Shut down your computer: Make sure your ThinkCentre M720q is turned off.
2. Locate the reset header: On the motherboard, find the reset header (CLR_CMOS) which is usually located near the front panel headers or the DIMM slots. Refer to your user manual or online documentation if you're not sure.
3. Identify the pins: The reset header typically has 3 pins: pin 1-2 for normal operation and pin 2-3 for reset. You may need to consult your user manual or online resources to confirm the pin configuration.
4. Short the pins: Use a jumper or a small screwdriver to short pins 2-3. This will reset the BIOS settings to their defaults, including the password.
5. Power on the computer: Turn on your ThinkCentre M720q and enter the BIOS settings (usually by pressing F1 or F2). The BIOS password should now be cleared.

Method 2: Using a Backdoor Password

1. Power on the computer: Turn on your ThinkCentre M720q.
2. Enter a wrong password: Try entering an incorrect password at the BIOS login prompt.
3. Use a backdoor password: Type in the following backdoor password: LENOVO (case-sensitive). If this doesn't work, try ThinkPad or ThinkCentre (some models may use these alternatives).
4. Access the BIOS: If the backdoor password works, you'll gain access to the BIOS settings. From here, you can reset the BIOS password or restore the default settings.

Method 3: Contacting Lenovo Support

If the above methods don't work, you may need to contact Lenovo support for further assistance:

1. Visit the Lenovo website: Go to the Lenovo support website and create an account or sign in if you already have one.
2. Contact support: Reach out to Lenovo's technical support team via phone, email, or live chat. They can provide guidance on resetting the BIOS password or arrange for a repair or replacement.

Precautions and Warnings

• Be careful when working with the internal components of your computer, as electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage the hardware.
• Make sure you have a good understanding of the process before attempting to reset the BIOS password.
• If you're not comfortable with the process, consider seeking help from a qualified technician.

To reset the BIOS password on a Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Tiny , you must use the physical Clear CMOS / Recovery jumper located on the motherboard

. Simply removing the CMOS battery usually will not clear a Supervisor Password on modern ThinkCentre models. Steps to Reset the BIOS Password Preparation

: Turn off the computer and disconnect all power cords and external cables. Open the Case : Remove the computer cover to access the motherboard. Locate the Jumper : Look for the Clear CMOS / Recovery jumper (often labeled as

). On the M720q, it is typically a 3-pin header with a plastic jumper block covering two pins. Move the Jumper Identify the current position (usually Pins 1 and 2 Move the jumper block to the maintenance position ( Pins 2 and 3 Clear the Password Plug in the power cord and turn on the computer.

The system may beep or show a message indicating that CMOS has been cleared.

Once the system has finished this brief cycle, turn it off and disconnect the power again. Restore the Jumper : Move the jumper block back to its original position ( Pins 1 and 2 Reassemble : Replace the computer cover and reconnect your cables. : Power on the system and press repeatedly to enter the BIOS setup utility . The password should now be removed. Important Notes Supervisor vs. Power-On Password

: This method is specifically effective for clearing the Power-On Password. If a Supervisor Password

is set and remains after a CMOS clear, the motherboard may require professional service or replacement, as Lenovo designs these for high security. Hardware Maintenance Manual

: For a visual diagram of the jumper's exact location, refer to the Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Hardware Maintenance Manual on the official Lenovo Support site on a motherboard diagram?

Erasing lost or forgotten passwords (clearing CMOS) - Lenovo

7. Technical Note for M720q

The M720q supports a "Maintenance Mode." The feature exploits this by creating the specific SVPW file structure recognized by the BIOS bootstrap loader.

• File Structure: The USB must be formatted as FAT32.
• Directory: efi\boot\ or root directory depending on specific BIOS revision.
• Logic: When the BIOS sees the file, it enters a mode allowing password changes without knowing the old password, provided the cryptographic signature in the file matches the halt code math.

Disclaimer: This is a conceptual feature design. In reality, currently, only Lenovo Technical Support can generate the specific cryptographic files required to reset the BIOS password on the M720q, and they usually require proof of purchase.

How to Reset the BIOS Password on a Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Resetting a forgotten BIOS password on a Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q

often requires physical access to the motherboard. While standard user or power-on passwords can sometimes be bypassed by removing the CMOS battery, a Supervisor Password typically requires a specific "Clear CMOS" jumper procedure or, in extreme cases, a motherboard replacement. Step 1: Differentiate Between Password Types

Before proceeding, identify which password you are trying to reset:

Power-On Password: Prompts immediately when you turn on the PC.

Supervisor Password: Required to change settings within the BIOS menu.

Hard Disk Password: Required to access data on the drive. Note: Clearing the CMOS will not reset a hard disk password. Step 2: The Physical Reset (Clear CMOS Jumper) The most effective way to clear a BIOS password on the M720q Tiny Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is using the onboard jumper.

Preparation: Turn off the computer and disconnect all cables, including the power adapter. Open the Chassis:

Remove the screw on the back of the case and slide the cover off.

Locate the Jumper: Find the JP35 jumper block on the motherboard. On the

, this is typically located in the top-left corner near the Wi-Fi antenna or rear ports. Move the Jumper:

The jumper is normally on pins 5-6 (or 1-2 depending on the label).

Move it to the Maintenance position (often covering pins 2-4 or 2-3). Trigger the Reset: Reconnect the power cable and turn the computer on.

The system may not display anything but should emit a series of beeps (usually double beeps).

Let it beep for 15–30 seconds, then hold the power button for 5 seconds to force it off.

Restore the Jumper: Disconnect the power again and move the jumper back to its original position.

Finalize: Reassemble the case, reconnect your peripherals, and power on. Press F1 or Fn+F1 during the logo screen to enter the BIOS and confirm the password prompt is gone. Alternative Method: Removing the CMOS Battery

If the jumper method does not work, you can try a full power drain: M720q User Guide and Hardware Maintenance Manual lenovo thinkcentre m720q bios password reset

Unlocking a Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Tiny Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

when the BIOS password is forgotten involves a physical "Clear CMOS" process. Lenovo designs these systems so that simply removing the battery often isn't enough; you must use the motherboard's maintenance jumper to reset the security settings. Essential Preparation

Before starting, ensure you have a clean workspace and the following:

A flat-head or Phillips screwdriver (depending on your specific chassis screw).

Anti-static protection (touch a metal object before touching the internal components).

Warning: This process will reset all BIOS settings to factory defaults. Step-by-Step Reset Procedure 1. Power Down and Open the Chassis

Turn off the computer and disconnect all cables, especially the power cord.

Slide the computer cover toward the front or rear (after removing the single thumb screw at the back) to expose the motherboard. 2. Locate the "Clear CMOS" Jumper

On the M720q motherboard, look for a small plastic jumper block (often red or blue).

It is typically located in the upper-left corner near the Wi-Fi antenna or rear ports.

In the Lenovo Maintenance Manual, this is officially called the Clear CMOS / Recovery jumper. 3. Move the Jumper to Maintenance Position The jumper is normally on pins 1 and 2 (Standard position).

Carefully pull the jumper off and move it to pins 2 and 3 (Maintenance position). 4. Clear the Password Plug the power cord back in and turn the computer on.

The system will not boot into Windows. Instead, it may beep or display a message indicating it is in maintenance mode.

Leave it on for about 10–20 seconds, then turn it off by holding the power button for 5 seconds. Crucial Step: Unplug the power cord again. 5. Restore to Standard Position

Move the jumper back from pins 2 and 3 to the original pins 1 and 2. Replace the computer cover and reconnect all cables. 6. Verify the Reset

Turn on the computer and immediately tap F1 to enter the BIOS Setup Utility.

The password prompt should no longer appear. You can now set a new password or leave it blank. Troubleshooting & Limitations

Supervisor vs. Hard Drive Passwords: The jumper method resets the Power-On and Supervisor passwords. It will NOT reset a Hard Disk Password (HDP). If the hard drive itself is locked, Lenovo typically requires a drive replacement as they cannot recover that data.

If it fails: Some users report that removing the RAM during the beep phase helps force a deeper reset on certain "Tiny" models, though this is not the official Lenovo-documented step.

Official Support: If the jumper method fails, Lenovo's official policy for lost Supervisor passwords usually requires a system board replacement.

Please help. ThinkCentre M920Q thin client BIOS reset : r/Lenovo

For anyone that lands here because of Google: If the supervisor password is set, remove the power cable. Move the jumper on JP35 ( Reddit·r/Lenovo

Please help. ThinkCentre M920Q thin client BIOS reset : r/Lenovo

For anyone that lands here because of Google: If the supervisor password is set, remove the power cable. Move the jumper on JP35 ( Reddit·r/Lenovo

Erasing lost or forgotten passwords (clearing CMOS) - Lenovo

To reset the BIOS password on a Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q , the most effective method involves using the physical Clear CMOS jumper (labeled as SW_CLR_CMOS ) on the motherboard

. Simply removing the CMOS battery is often insufficient for modern ThinkCentre models as passwords are frequently stored in non-volatile memory. BIOS Password Reset Procedure

Follow these steps precisely to clear the supervisor or power-on password: M720q-Cmos-Maintenance-Jumper-Position

Part 3: The Software Exploit (SMI / Raspberry Pi Method)

This is the most elegant method for the M720q. It does not require soldering or removing the BIOS chip. The M720q (like many Lenovo ThinkCentre models) has a vulnerability in the System Management Interrupt (SMI) handler.

What you need:

• A Raspberry Pi (any model with GPIO pins) or an Arduino.
• Female-to-female jumper wires.
• A small screwdriver to open the case.

How it works: You inject a malicious SMI command via the SPI interface (while the PC is sleeping) to dump the BIOS password hash or wipe the security chip.

Simplified Steps:

1. Disassemble the M720q until you locate the BIOS SPI Flash chip (usually a Winbond 25Q series chip – 8 pins).
2. Connect the Raspberry Pi’s GPIO pins (CS, MOSI, MISO, CLK, GND, 3.3V) to the BIOS chip using pogo pins or carefully soldered wires. Do not use 5V – you will fry the chip.
3. Use a tool like flashrom on the Pi to read the BIOS dump.
4. Use a Python script (search for thinkpad-bios-util or lenovo_bios_password_tool) to parse the dump and extract the administrator password or checksum.
5. Use a hash generator to convert the checksum back into the password.

Verdict: This works reliably on the M720q, but requires technical skill. If you are not comfortable with command line and GPIO, skip to the hardware method below.

2. Contact the Seller

If you bought the M720q used, message the seller. Professional resellers usually disable the password before shipping, but sometimes they forget. They may have the master code.

Method 1: Using the Password Reset Feature in BIOS

1. Power on the computer and immediately start pressing the F1 key (or Del key, depending on your specific model) repeatedly to enter the BIOS settings. For ThinkCentre models, F1 is commonly used. Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q BIOS Password Reset If you've

2. Navigate through the BIOS menu to find the "Security" or similar tab.

3. Look for "Supervisor Password" or "BIOS Password" settings.

4. If you can see the current password field, try leaving it blank and pressing Enter, then confirm by pressing Enter again. Sometimes, an empty password can be accepted.

5. If there's an option to disable the password, do so. However, if you can't see this option or the password field isn't accessible due to the set password, proceed to the next method.

Part 7: Preventing This Nightmare in the Future

Once you reset the password, do not repeat the cycle.

Best Practices for M720q Users:

1. Write it down: Use a password manager (Bitwarden, 1Password) to store your BIOS password.
2. Enable BIOS Password Reset via Jumper (on supported models): Some M720q variants have a solder pad for JCMOS1. You can solder your own jumper for easy future resets.
3. Use "Supervisor Password" carefully: The M720q has an Administrator password and a User password. Setting only a User password is much easier to bypass.
4. Disable "Secure Boot" if you don't need it: A locked BIOS with Secure Boot enabled makes software resets nearly impossible.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Full Disassembly

• Remove the four rubber feet and the screws underneath.
• Slide off the outer metal chassis.
• Remove the fan and heatsink (you will need new thermal paste to reassemble).
• Remove the motherboard from the plastic cage.

Step 2: Locate the EC Chip On the M720q motherboard, look for a small, square, flat chip with "IT8528E" or "IT8987" printed on it. This is the Embedded Controller that manages power and security.

Step 3: Find the Security Pins You are looking for pins labeled "KBC" (Keyboard Controller) or "SDA/SCL" near the EC. Based on community schematics for the M720q (IBM Lenovo FRU: 5B20S43790 or similar), you need to short pin 8 (GND) to pin 1 (SDA) of the EC's debug header.

Alternatively, many technicians use the "Southbridge short": Find two tiny resistors labeled R484 and R485 near the CMOS battery connector. Short those two resistors together with tweezers while powering on.

Step 4: The Reset Procedure

1. Disconnect the main power and CMOS battery.
2. Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds to drain capacitors.
3. Reconnect the CMOS battery (but keep main power off).
4. Using your tweezers, short the two identified pins.
5. While holding the short, plug in the AC power.
6. Press the power button. The PC will turn on, beep, and turn off automatically.
7. Remove the tweezers immediately.
8. Press the power button again.

If successful, the system will boot directly into the BIOS with a checksum error, and the password will be gone.

Conclusion: You Have Options

Resetting the BIOS password on a Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q is frustrating because Lenovo prioritized security over serviceability. The days of simply pulling a jumper are gone.

However, with the right tools and patience, you have three viable paths:

1. The Software Path (Raspberry Pi + SPI dump) – Geeky but clean.
2. The Hardware Path (Shorting EC pins) – Fastest if you know your motherboard layout.
3. The Professional Path (Repair shop) – Cheaper than replacing the whole PC.

Do not throw away your M720q. Even if you brick the BIOS, a new pre-programmed chip costs less than $20.

Start with the simple shorting method (Part 4), and if your hands shake too much, hire a pro. Good luck, and may your mini PC boot without that dreaded password prompt.

Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes and for resetting passwords on equipment you legally own. Bypassing BIOS security on stolen equipment is illegal. The author assumes no responsibility for damaged hardware.

To reset the BIOS password on a Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q , the most effective hardware method involves using the Clear CMOS/Recovery jumper

on the motherboard. Simply removing the CMOS battery is often insufficient for modern ThinkCentre models as the supervisor password is typically stored in non-volatile memory [10, 13]. Hardware Jumper Reset Procedure

This method (often referred to as the "Maintenance Position" reset) is the standard way to clear a forgotten supervisor password [8, 10]. Preparation

: Power off the unit, unplug the power cord, and remove the computer cover [8, 10]. Jumper JP35 : Find the jumper block labeled

(usually near the WiFi antenna or top-left of the board) [10, 13]. Move the Jumper

Identify the current "Standard" position (typically pins 1-2 or 5-6) [8, 10].

Move the jumper to the "Maintenance" position (pins 2-3 or 2-4 depending on the specific board revision) [8, 10]. Clear the Password Reattach the power cord and turn the computer on [8, 10].

Wait for the system to beep (usually a series of double beeps) [10, 13].

After the beeps, turn off the computer by holding the power button for 5 seconds and unplug the power [8, 10]. Restore Defaults Move the jumper back to its original standard position Replace the cover, reconnect power, and boot while tapping to enter the Lenovo BIOS Setup

[8, 17]. The password prompt should no longer appear [10, 13]. Critical Tips from the Community Remove RAM : Some users on report that the reset only triggers successfully if you remove all RAM modules

before performing the jumper swap and power-on sequence [13]. Official Documentation : For precise jumper diagrams, refer to the M720q Hardware Maintenance Manual (Page 41) [7, 9]. Security Limitation

To reset the BIOS password on a Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q, you must use the physical Clear CMOS (Maintenance) jumper located on the motherboard. Modern Lenovo systems often store supervisor passwords in non-volatile memory, so simply removing the CMOS battery may not be effective.  Step-by-Step Reset Procedure 

Preparation: Turn off the computer and disconnect all power cords and cables. Open the chassis by removing the rear screw and sliding the cover forward.

Locate the Jumper: Find the Clear CMOS/Recovery jumper (often labeled as JP35 or near the Wi-Fi card area) on the system board.

Move the Jumper: By default, the jumper is on pins 1 and 2 (or 5 and 6 on some blocks). Move it to the maintenance position, pins 2 and 3 (or 2 and 4).

Power On: Reconnect the power cord and turn on the computer. Leave it on for about 10–30 seconds. You may hear a series of beeps indicating the system is in maintenance mode.

Shut Down: Turn off the computer by holding the power button for five seconds and disconnect the power cord again.

Restore Jumper: Move the jumper back to its original standard position (pins 1 and 2). Shut down your computer : Make sure your

Finalize: Replace the cover, reconnect cables, and power on. Press F1 during the Lenovo splash screen to enter the BIOS. The password should now be cleared or reset to default. 

For a visual walkthrough of the jumper positions and the beeping sequence: 08:49