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Random Quote: confusion not only reigns, it pours.
I have a Lenovo thinkpad from my former employer that they said I can have. However it is locked with a password/VPN key fob that no longer works, rendering it a brick. If I reload a registered, paid for copy of windows XP or vista, will I regain use the computer?
or is there an easier way? - I can't get past the windows logon/vpn keyfob
Just do a clean install of XP. You will need the Lenovo hardware drivers for motherboard, audio, video, ethernet/wireless. If you don't have them you can download them from Lenovo's site.
You can try to press F8 while the computer is booting up to get into Safe Mode, and then see if there is another login account you can pick from to login. If you can get in via Safe Mode, you might be able to change the login password for the account you are looking for.
You can also try this software if you are somewhat tech savvy:
If it was in a corporate environment, safe mode will not work because a password is also set for the administrator account. There are utilities out there that will allow you to change that password. Other than that, a reformat is your best bet.
Also, that laptop may have a windows XP serial number on the bottom of it (all out Lenovos do). Get your hands on a windows XP pro CD (it its a lenovo and not an IBM, its probably SP2) and use the serial number on the bottom. Good luck!
If it is a Lenovo, your 'C' partition is not the entire hard drive. There is anywhere from 5GB to 12GB (or more?) reserved for a compressed back up of the original operating system. This 12GB partition is confog'd EISA, only accessible through the recover process. Recovering wipes your entire "C" partition (but not the protected partition) and performs a clean reload with all necessary drivers and optional software that shipped with the computer -- same as a clean reload from discs, but without the need for the discs. No need to buy a copy of Windows.
IBM's strategy is that if a user does regular backups of their data, then IBM would provide the user with a way to recover from any catastrophic software event or virus, anywhere, anytime...as long as a user backs up their personal data. IBM/Lenovo is not the only company to employ this strategy.
Wiping the 'C' drive will not wipe the EISA protected portion of the hard disk with the compressed copy of the OS on it. The BIOS will not allow access to that part of the disk -- it is protected. Some 3rd part applications can see the protected partition, but cannot access it. You can also see it using the Window's Disk Manager.
That's where I would start, 'recover' the laptop, let it rebuild itself -- when done it should look like the day it arrived from the factory.
Had a similar problem--found a website that would find the password online for you--first time was free. Do a google for your question. There are several sites that will find the passward for you.
Glenn,
Press the blue Access IBM button when the message "To interrupt normal startup, press the blue Access IBM button" is displayed to enter the ThinkVantage Productivity Center, then select Start setup utility to open the BIOS Setup Utility.
See what kind of hard drive is in it; probably a Hitachi.
Google "Hitachi low level hard drive format" and download a utility to do a low level reformat. You may need a USB floppy drive to do that.
Then you can install a fresh copy of XP, and the Lenovo drivers from their support site. Alternatively, if you call them Lenovo may agree to send you a recovery CD which will reinstall their standard software load.
... if you call them Lenovo may agree to send you a recovery CD which will reinstall their standard software load.
As I said above, everything that is on those recover CDs (a set of 7 discs, will set you back about $150 or so) that is needed to "recover" that computer is already on the hard drive and encoded in firmware on the motherboard in the laptop. The discs should not be needed.
reformatting a laptop 
