Need to hack Symantec Endpoint logon

[vmb]

Anyone know how to hack into a password-encrypted laptop? I got an old 2012 Lenovo Thinkpad running Windows 7 that my office was going to throw away, thinking it would be perfect for my kids to use for their homework (OK, I admit it's so they stay off my main desktop). But I need to bypass the Symantec Endpoint Encryption logon screen and reset it to factory settings. I found some online suggestions, re: F11 and also the "blue Thinkpad" buttons at startup, but none of those methods work.

Thanks for any help.

[vmb]

I don't have any of the original disks. (I am assuming I would need the original Windows disk to do what you are saying?)

[Gogar]

Grab a laptop drive from the store and format it/install windows from another computer. Install fresh drive in old computer. It'll cost you about $50.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Gogar

Grab a laptop drive from the store and format it/install windows from another computer. Install fresh drive in old computer. It'll cost you about $50.

That will only work if the drivers are fairly common. Every driver from the video card to the network card will have to be reinstalled.

[vmb]

work can't help me. They don't want to hear about this laptop ever again. I will see if I can dig up a Windows disk from the other desktop. But I'm guessing that will be licensed only for the one computer? I'll see what I can do when I get home. Thanks for the suggestions.

[968rz]

Need to turn the TPM chip off in the bios, format the drive and reinstall from scratch. it's always a good idea to make friends with the IT dept, if you can get the code from a "friend" you can avoid the format.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by vmb

Anyone know how to hack into a password-encrypted laptop? I got an old 2012 Lenovo Thinkpad running Windows 7 that my office was going to throw away, thinking it would be perfect for my kids to use for their homework (OK, I admit it's so they stay off my main desktop). But I need to bypass the Symantec Endpoint Encryption logon screen and reset it to factory settings. I found some online suggestions, re: F11 and also the "blue Thinkpad" buttons at startup, but none of those methods work.

Thanks for any help.

If it were as easy as googling or asking on a Porsche forum it would not be a very good product now would it.

The laptop should have the license key sticker. Find out what version of 7 was on it, get your hands on an installer CD, boot from CD, wipe drive, and start from scratch.

Originally Posted by 968rz

Need to turn the TPM chip off in the bios, format the drive and reinstall from scratch. it's always a good idea to make friends with the IT dept, if you can get the code from a "friend" you can avoid the format.

Unless something has changed the Symantec product does not support TPM.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by vmb

work can't help me. They don't want to hear about this laptop ever again. I will see if I can dig up a Windows disk from the other desktop. But I'm guessing that will be licensed only for the one computer? I'll see what I can do when I get home. Thanks for the suggestions.

Windows 7 licensing works based on the version.

There are 6 versions.

Starter
Home Basic
Home Premium
Pro
Enterprise
Ultimate

Flip the laptop over, look for the Genuine Windows key sticker, it will list the version.

Odds are it's at least a Pro license, possibly Enterprise depending on the size of your company and unlikely to be Ultimate.

You'll need the corresponding install disc.

You should be able to convince someone to give or lend you a copy, the license is not tied to the installer disc, it's tied to the laptop via the certificate on the back.

In other words, you are not pirating it, you have a legitimate license.

[HardDrive]

Drop $99 and get a legit copy of Windows and be on your merry way. The computer was free, how much time do you want to spend goofing around with this?

Forget about getting around Symantec EndPoint Encryption. Not happening.

[nota]

tell Lenovo you had a HD fail and need a new 7 disk for your laptop XXX
likely they will send one for the cost of postage that is the eazyest way
as all the drivers will be correct for your box

[vmb]

I discovered yesterday that a neighbor down my street is a "computer genius," and has volunteered to help me out. I gave him the laptop this morning.

I really appreciate all your advice, and if he can't fix it, I will probably buy a Windows CD and go that route (thanks HardDrive). Looks like I can replace the current Windows 7 Pro for $73 on Amazon.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by vmb

I discovered yesterday that a neighbor down my street is a "computer genius," and has volunteered to help me out. I gave him the laptop this morning.

I really appreciate all your advice, and if he can't fix it, I will probably buy a Windows CD and go that route (thanks HardDrive). Looks like I can replace the current Windows 7 Pro for $73 on Amazon.

If the laptop has the sticker you have a license.

Go here, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7

Enter your license key from the sticker on the back.

Download a copy and burn to DVD or make a USB boot drive.

For the rest of you with valid licenses you can get 7, 8.1 and 10 from the same link.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/home

[Gogar]

Sorry about my incorrect suggestion, I suppose it's just what I'm used to doing on that other brand of computers.