> In message <1110.130.127.59.162.1172089154.squirrel@wm.clemson.edu>, > Cris Wilson writes >>The "IBM security chip" is not the chip that controls the laptop >> password. > Errmm, it is. Atmel 24RF08 on Tamas's machine. Easy to read and the > password is stored as keyboard scan codes. On the IBM T42 the administrator bios password is stored in an Atmel 24rf08. The "IBM security chip" is a National chip - there is one on the motherboard and there is one on the ibm travelstar harddrive board >>The "IBM security chip" encrypts the hard drive so that it will only >>work with that laptop's unique machine ID. > No. At least not on the t42P or any consumer IBM machine I've worked on > so far. The security chip (it can be fitted to IBM desktops as well) is > non volatile password/serial number storage and can be configured as an > RFID tracking tag in the full implementation (just needs an optional > antenna installing) OK, if you want to get technical, the security chips store the encryption keys and security certificates. The two chips have to agree with each other or the hard drive won't even spin up. I had to fix one last week that an idiot spilt a cup of coffee into. >>You can short the security chip on the hard drive board and then get >>access to it again. > Umm, again, not true. The lock password for hard drives is stored on the > platters in a non user accessible area, it can be defeated in a couple > of ways but 'You can short the security chip' is bunkum. You have to short the chip so that the drive will spin up and then you can use a stardard track/sector reader to pull the encryption key from the drive. You must then set the encryption key on another computer to the key you just pulled. You can then insert and use the drive. > There is no > security chip on any hard drive I've ever seen Well, take a look at an IBM Travelstar Model IC25n030atda04-0 -- Cris Wilson Information Resource Consultant College of Architecture, Arts, and Humanities Clemson University cris@clemson.edu Report problems to: aah_computers@clemson.edu -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist