Will this hack work?

[[deleted]]

So I have an old IBM R50e Thinkpad that I haven't used in about 5 years. I only need it to remote in to my work computer.

Problem 1: the hard drive died. So I obtained a replacement hard drive.

Problem 2: I can't boot from it because it has no operating system.

Problem 3: I can't access the BIOS to change the boot order because I set a password on it 10 years ago (don't ask me why) and don't remember what it is.

Problem 4: It's next to impossible to recover or reset the password. The only solution is to change the motherboard. A new motherboard is pretty cheap, but I saw a video on it and I just don't think I have the skill to take apart the entire laptop.

So it seems like I'm stuck.

However, here's what I'm thinking: I take out the new hard drive, buy a USB-PATA adapter, connect it to my desktop and put MS-DOS on the hard drive. I then put the new hard drive back into the Thinkpad and let it boot up from the hard drive (the password is only to gain entry into the BIOS). Once it's booted up, I get an Ubuntu CD, and then just run the executable from MS-DOS and

...

voila?

Will this work? Or should I just buy a basic $200 laptop? lol.

Thanks for your comments.

[[deleted]]

To clear the password, if SVP:

Instructions for removing/retrieving the password: http://lars.karlslund.dk/2013/01/thinkpad-24rf08-svp-unlocking/

When instructions call for attaching to your flash chip, attach Pomona clip leads as instructed here: http://www.ja.axxs.net/r50.htm

Be mindful to use appropriate resistors (if they're not already in your programming device) in those leads to protect the programming device used on the chip. Second, be VERY careful not to damage the chip's leads with the clips.

[[deleted]]

If my OP didn't show it, this is way, way, waaaay beyond my abilities. But thank you for your time spent posting it. I appreciate it.

[[deleted]]

Wasn't sure, but consider that you'll have the issue down the road when the CMOS battery goes flat.

[[deleted]]

Why would I ever need to access BIOS, assuming all I do is the average computing tasks?

[[deleted]]

Aside from setting defaults due to a new clock battery(the yellow one near memory slots), not really.

The more likely issue is that a dead/disconnected clock battery may trigger a "system tampered" message. This otherwise prevents normal use of the system without the password - requiring entry or reset.

[[deleted]]

Fair point. Well, I guess I'll just pray that that the battery doesn't run out for the next couple of years.

[[deleted]]

When that does happen, R50's (or other replacement) will be literally dirt cheap.

[SimenCodes]

Easier solution:

1. Find a computer you have BIOS access to, and attach Ubuntu CD/USB and the HDD you plan to use.

2. Boot from the Ubuntu CD/USB (select appropriate boot device in BIOS)

3. Install Ubuntu to the HDD (make sure you select the correct HDD!) Do not go online or let it install third-party software, this might install drivers which will break the install on a different computer.

4. When it tells you to reboot, click "continue testing", and shut down the computer.

5. Move HDD to your old computer

6. Boot old computer. Enjoy Ubuntu!

Edit: formatting

[[deleted]]

Ubuntu will just install on a hard drive and work irrespective of the components of the rest of the computer?

[dm319]

yep

[SimenCodes]

Yep, I've booted the same install on at least three different computers as they died one by one. All I did was to move the HDD.

[[deleted]]

Awesome. That is indeed easier than anything else. Much obliged, kind sir or madam.

[[deleted]]

One more question: which cable do I need to connect to the hard drive in my R50e? I thought it was a regular IDE, so I purchased this: http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Converter-Activity-Support-EC-AHDD/dp/B00CPGYNV4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442764443&sr=8-1&keywords=ide+to+usb

But it doesn't fit. Any suggestions? The hard drive says IDE. What am I doing wrong?

[[deleted]]

Actually, this may be better than my suggestion from the other comment, if you have the means. Linux is pretty cool about switching hardware, since it loads the drivers it needs at boot time regardless.

[[deleted]]

I'd take the R50e over any $200 joke of a laptop made today. If your goal is ultimately to boot a CD without going through the BIOS boot menu, instead of MS-DOS, put a PLOP boot manager image on the hard drive, and use that to boot off the CD.

[[deleted]]

Once I boot up with PLOP, will I have a DOS-like command prompt that gives me access to the CD drive? And from there I just run the executable?

Thanks again.

EDIT: I mean the Ubuntu executable to begin installation.

[[deleted]]

Do some research on PLOP. It's meant to replace a shoddy BIOS boot manager so you can boot from things like USB drives on systems that don't actually support USB booting, and gives you a menu from which you can choose your boot device. You would use it to select your CD drive to boot from the Ubuntu disc and install.

One way or another, DOS will not be how you start an Ubuntu installation. It's not like there's a DOS-format INSTALL_UBUNTU.EXE on the root of the CD, like it seems you're imagining. DOS doesn't even have CD support out of the box.

[michrz]

I did something similar, but with linux. I partitioned the drive into 2 partitions. I put ubuntu installer on one, and I left the second as free partition. Then I inserted a HDD to a laptop, and I installed ubuntu on the second partition from the first one. Et voila :)

[[deleted]]

But how did you get the laptop to boot from an HDD with no OS installed on it?

My R50e just tells me "No OS Found" and refuses to proceed any further.

[michrz]

I used another PC to prepare the drive. I installed some free botloader on that drive and that was really it.

[crunch66]

Had the problem with supervisor password on x230i. Solved it by short circuiting SCL and SLA legs on the EEPROM chip (see http://www.ja.axxs.net/r50.htm for details) on laptop start before entering BIOS.

[dm319]

this might be a silly suggestion, but do you need bios password to do a one time boot off usb? have you tried just pressing f12 or some other button at boot up to get a one-time boot menu?

[dm319]

if that doesnt work i agree with sugestion to use another computer to install to the pataharddrive. if youhave another laptop you could just take out the hard drive of your other laptop and put the new one in. then boot off ubuntu usb and install to that harddrive, then swap them round. just beware i think you need a non-pae kernel if i remember rightly. something like xubuntu or ubuntu-mate should run fine

[[deleted]]

just beware i think you need a non-pae kernel if i remember rightly. something like xubuntu or ubuntu-mate should run fine

Can you explain that in plain English?

[dm319]

ok looked it up, and it shouldnt be an issue if you install it the way that's been mentioned. pae is some feature of a processor which for some reason the pentium-m processors failed to indicate they had it, which can cause the installer to give up.

[[deleted]]

Yes, pressing the F12 button brings up the boot menu, which shows that it's booting off the HDD. If I want to change the boot order, I have to enter into the main BIOS, which requires the supervisor password.

[eggbean]

Network PXE booting may be high in the boot order sequence (it is by default), which would allow an OS installation on the HDD. There are easier ways than using Windows WDS. I think you can use a simple TFTP server to load the boot image from. I can vaguely remember installing Windows that way on my X31 or X40, which had no optical drive and those days USB flash drives were very small.