On Friday 14 November 2025 00:53:49 Dr. Nikolaus Klepp via tde-users wrote:
Anno domini 2025 Thu, 13 Nov 14:55:20 -0800
William Morder via tde-users scripsit:
[...] 3) This brings me to a fresh surprise: I can no longer get into my bios. I disable UEFI, and am using grub to boot, which has worked well. Then I started getting a window, right after boot, asking if I want to continue a normal boot, go into bios setting, a recovery startup and something else. (There were 4 choices; I will try to take a photo with my next boot.) When I tried to get into the bios, I was asked for a password; but I don't use a password to protect the bios. I used to create an admin password, but it is a bother, when nobody else ever touches this machine, and no ordinary person would be able to get into it, anyway, if they ever got their hands on it.
If I didn't create a bios password, then who did? And is it possible for me to get back into my bios? I don't make changes often, but it would be nice to own my own machine. I keep thinking that maybe this has something to do with disabling UEFI and using grub; except that for a while, nothing changed.
If it wasn't you ... I would really start thinking ... SVPs do not happen by chance and as said the remote access feature is on by default till you turn it off in the BIOS. Please post your laptops type - might be somebody on the list knows a way to clear the SVP and flash a clean BIOS. Anyway, if this happened to me I'd get a different laptop, no matter how old that might be.
Nik
Laptop specs are:
Lenovo Ideapad 3 15 15.6" laptop - AMD Ryzen 3 - GB Memory
128 GB SSD came installed, then was replaced with a 2 TB SSD which got fried (or something)
Now I am running the machine from a 256 gb USB flash drive. Everything worth keeping is saved on external drives.
I boot using GRUB, disabled UEFI
After doing some research about Lenovo laptops and SVP set on the BIOS, I find that it seems to be a pretty common complaint. Apparently it is possible to reset the BIOS, or flash it, but that will be a new experience for me. I wonder if it is possible to do it now, without bricking my machine.
As I keep complaining, I am in the midst of moving. I don't want to get into deep waters, technically speaking, where I will need to dig out all my computer gear. I am trying to keep my life simple, pare everything down to a minimu, so that I can get myself and the rest of my stuff out of the city.
Also, I don't want to have to go out and buy a new laptop just yet. If I can put off any major changes like that for another few months, that would be better for me.
Still, from what I read, it looks not necessarily impossible ... so if anybody can suggest how I can reset my BIOS, or at least remove the password, short of bricking my machine, that would be appreciated.
Bill
Bill