Category:T61

ThinkPad T61

This pages gives an overview of all ThinkPad T61 related topics.

Standard Features

• One of the following processors:
  • Intel Core 2 Duo (Merom) 1.66, 1.83, 2.0, 2.16, 2.33, 2.4 GHz CPU
• One of the following graphics adapters:
  • Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
  • nVidia Quadro NVS 140m (128 MB)
• One of the following displays:
  • 14.1" TFT display with 1280x800 (WXGA) resolution
  • 14.1" TFT display with 1440x900 (WXGA+) resolution
• 512 MB or 1 GB PC2-5300 memory standard upgradable to 4 GB
• 60, 80, 100, 120 or 160GB 5400RPM SATA HDD (Some available in 7200RPM)
  • Full Disk Encryption

Using Seagate FDE

Using FDE as as easy as setting up the hard disk password (from BIOS). You can choose to have just a user password, or both a user and a master password. You can export the key to an external storage, for password recovery (you need the password !!)

N.B.: The Lenovo FAQ on FDE specifically states that on the T60 & T61, there is no means of backing up or exporting the key, but that the drive may be used in another system (it is evidently not tied to a motherboard Trusted Platform Module).

Lost password

Three possibilities :

• Use the master password to change the user key.
• Recover the password using the previously exported key. (See note from Lenovo FAQ, above.)
• Reset the encryption key (which causes the hard disk to be instantly "wiped", and resets the "hard disk password").

Wipe the disk

Wiping the disk is as easy as reseting the encryption key from the BIOS..

TPM

It should be possible to use TPM (with fingerprint readers...) not tested yet.

• T61 with TPM & fingerprints, FDE password works with a configured fingerprint but you must use windows based software to program the imprint. By keeping a small windows partition, I am able to boot linux with a fingerprint, fingerprint passes the TPM power-on password AND the FDE disk 1 password, which is separate.

Disadvantages

FDE is only safe when the computer is off or hibernated. When the computer is stolen while it is on or suspended, a restart which boots from a USB stick will reveal your data. The problem is that these warm restarts will not ask for the HD password, nor the power-on-password for that matter. This can be seen as a security risk.

Dm-crypt solutions are better in this respect as they will prompt for a password on any reboot.

Another disadvantage is that the disk can not be read if it is put in a USB enclosure. Again, dm-crypt does allow to mount encrypted partitions from a USB disk (password protected, of course), which is useful when upgrading disks, or when using disks across computers.

Software alternatives

It is possible to get similar security, at a very slight performance impact, by using appropriate software-based full disk encryption solutions. For example, under Linux, you can use dm-crypt to encrypt the whole disk (including swap and root partitions) except for a bootloader. Numerous tutorials are available on the Internet.

Links

• Lenovo Full Disk Encryption Hard Disk Drive Frequently Asked Questions
• Thinkpad Bios simulator (R61/T61 not available yet, unfortunately)
• Seagate MoMentuS 5400 FDe.2
• Wikipedia - Full disk encryption (why FDE ??)
• Full-Disk-Encryption Mailing list Available on some models
• AD1984 HD Audio controller
• Intel Gigabit Ethernet Controller
• UltraBay Slim with one of the following:
  • UltraBay Slim DVD-ROM Drive
  • UltraBay Slim CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo II Drive
  • UltraBay Slim Super Multi-Burner Drive
• Intel® Turbo Memory hard drive cache
• MiniPCI Express slot 1 with one of the following:
  • None (empty)
  • Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Mini-PCI Express Adapter
  • Intel PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Mini-PCI Express Adapter
  • ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini Express Adapter
  • ThinkPad 11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Mini Express Adapter
• MiniPCI Express slot 2 with one of the following:
  • None (empty)
  • Verizon 1xEV-DO WWAN (It seems to be a Sierra Wireless MC5720 Modem)
• 1 CardBus slot (Type 2)
• ExpressCard/54 slot or SmartCard reader or 4-in-1 Memory reader
• IBM Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0
• IBM Active Protection System
• Integrated Fingerprint Reader on select models
• Bluetooth on select models
• UltraNav (TrackPoint / Touchpad combo)
• IEEE1394 Firewire
• Centrino Pro