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
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. lenovo thinkcentre m720q bios password reset
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 To reset the BIOS password on a Lenovo
Erasing lost or forgotten passwords (clearing CMOS) - Lenovo
To reset the BIOS password on a Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q, you must physically manipulate a specific jumper on the motherboard known as the Clear CMOS (or Recovery) jumper. Unlike many laptops, simply removing the CMOS battery is often insufficient to clear a supervisor password on this model. The Reset Procedure
For the Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q, the reset involves moving a jumper on the JP35 jumper block (typically located in the top-left corner of the motherboard near the Wi-Fi antenna).
Preparation: Power off the computer and disconnect all cables, including the AC power adapter.
Access the Motherboard: Remove the screw at the back and slide the computer cover forward to expose the internal components.
Locate the Jumper: Find the SW_CLR_CMOS jumper. On this model, it is often part of a larger pin block (JP35). The default position typically connects pins 5 and 6.
Move the Jumper: Move the jumper from its standard position to the maintenance position, connecting pins 2 and 4.
Note: Some community guides suggest removing the RAM on the backside during this process for a more reliable reset.
Trigger the Clear: Reconnect the AC power adapter and press the power button. The system will not display video but should emit a series of beeps (often 4–5 series of double beeps). Revert and Finalize: Power off and disconnect the power again.
Move the jumper back to its original position (pins 5 and 6). Reassemble the unit and reconnect power.
Verify: Power on and press F1 or F12 to enter BIOS. The password prompt should no longer appear, or you may be prompted to set a new one. Important Limitations
Supervisor Passwords: This jumper method is specifically designed to clear "User" and "Supervisor" passwords. However, if a Hard Disk Password is set, this hardware reset will not clear it; you must remember the password or replace the drive.
Authorized Support: If you cannot locate the jumper or the hardware reset fails, Lenovo recommends contacting an authorized service provider, as motherboard replacement may be necessary for security reasons.
To reset the BIOS password on a Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
, you must use the motherboard's physical Clear CMOS / Recovery jumper. Simply removing the CMOS battery will not clear the supervisor or power-on password on this model. 🛠️ Hardware Setup Power down the computer and disconnect all external cables. Remove the cover of the computer. Locate the Clear CMOS jumper on the motherboard. Position the unit so the rear ports are at the top.
Look for the jumper in the upper-left corner of the board. It is typically a small plastic block covering two of three pins. 🔄 The Reset Process
Follow these sequential steps precisely to erase the forgotten password: Part 6: Professional Services (No DIY) If your
Move the jumper from its standard position (covering pins 1 and 2) to the maintenance position (covering pins 2 and 3).
Connect the power cord back into the computer and turn it on. Leave it running for approximately 10 to 15 seconds. You may hear a series of short beeps; this is normal. Shut down the PC by holding the power button for 5 seconds. Disconnect the power cord from the machine once again.
Return the jumper back to its original standard position (covering pins 1 and 2). Put the cover back on and reattach your cables. 🖥️ Finalizing Settings Turn on the computer and the monitor.
Press F1 when the Lenovo logo appears to enter the BIOS menu. Save and exit to secure your cleared settings.
Since physically resetting the BIOS password on the Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q typically requires contacting Lenovo support (due to security certifiers like TPM 2.0), the most effective "feature" to create is a management software utility that handles the challenge-response authentication system built into the hardware.
Here is a design specification for a hypothetical software feature to address this need.
If your M720q is a business-critical machine (microserver, POS system, medical device) and you cannot risk bricking it, call a professional.
Step 1: Full Disassembly
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
If successful, the system will boot directly into the BIOS with a checksum error, and the password will be gone.
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:
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:
flashrom on the Pi to read the BIOS dump.thinkpad-bios-util or lenovo_bios_password_tool) to parse the dump and extract the administrator password or checksum.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.