Problem connecting to the TPM (security device) after upgrading to Vista [ Edited ]

[dcunningham42]

Pardon the cross-post - I'm posting this whenever I see this issue discussed because I think I have the solution:

We have experienced this issue with multiple systems and have found at least two possible ways to resolve it:

1.  Disable the Security Chip in BIOS.  For a T400, there are three settings: Active, Inactive, and Disabled.  "Disabled" fixes the symptom (the error message, "cannot connect to TPM device" ) and leaves your fingerprint reader functional.

2.  To address the root cause is more involved.  According to a ThinkVantage developer at Lenovo, the Client Security Solution has not been tested and is not fully compatible with XP SP3 as of May, 2009.  I didn't ask about Vista.  I did not test his hypothesis by rolling back to SP2 but this would be worth trying if you need CSS to work.

I have not documented the affected versions of BIOS and the Client Security software -- it would be worthwhile to post the versions if you have success (or failure ).

Message Edited by dcunningham42 on 05-23-2009 08:20 PM

[sem]

Hi

I have the similar problem. I have R61i with XP SP3.

I get message:

"There was a problem connecting to the TPM (security device) on this computer. It is possible that anti-virus or firewall software is blocking the connection. A missing or disabled device driver could also cause this problem. Please refer to the online documentation for more information."

and I have no access to any internet connection - I try ethernet cable, bluetooth/gprs, usb/gprs. 

When I'm trying to check my network interfaces with command - "ipconfig"

I get message: "...Internal error: request cannot be services..."(it's not exact but transaltion from Polish).

I get no information about interfaces.

When I disable Security chip in Bios(previously it was Inactive) and uninstall Client Security Solution, I get no more messsage about TPM, but my network still dosen't work.

I try to start windows in emergency mode with network support but network still doesn't work. 

It seems that after instaling SP3 or some of following updates network stop working(I cannot confirm that the reason is SP3 but before installing SP3 everything works fine). Problem with network I notice about month after installing SP3(I was not using network for some time).

Some additional effect of this problem, was that services responsible for Access Connection was generating 100 % CPU usage. It seems, they was trying to connect to network interfaces all the time and was blocked and the result was high  CPU usage.

I'm really stack with this problem, but I prefer some other solution then instaling fresh Windows from recovery partition.

regards

sem

Message Edited by sem on 06-10-2009 10:31 AM

[sem]

Hi again,

Yesterday I uninstall SP3. Network still dosen't work :/

regards

sem

[john1983]

This might help some of you guys 

I have experienced AND solved the following problem:

Upon recieving my new TP T500, I first configured Vista, and then I decided to downgrade from Vista Business to XP Professional (using the conversion kit enclosed in my purchase).

This gave the problem that I could not access Client Security Software, allegedly because of the following incompatibility issue between vista and xp:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-69232#388966 

Reading this thread made me think that since the menu point Reset Security Chip didn't exist in my BIOS either, this could maybe be remedied by upgrading the BIOS to a newer version, as this problem surely must have been a major issue for Lenovo. After all, many, many customers choose to downgrade from the poorly performing Vista OS (read: Cr*p software) to good ol' reliable XP.

I have downloaded and executed the following file for updating my BIOS:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-70353

Upon next restart, I pressed F1 to enter the BIOS setup facility, and now the option to reset the TPM did show. And so, I chose to reset this. After this, press F10 to exit BIOS with save.

Upon next Windows logon, I could again enter Client Security Software.

YIPPIE!!!

I hope this helps directly or otherwise inspires to new possible solutions on your problems,

John.

P.S. Peculiar notice I just made: The Reset menu point has actually disappeared again from my BIOS when I just checked it now, but anyway it was there when I needed it. So I won't think anymore about that point. But it is a bit weird...

[sem]

Hi

I had enought of trying to find solution for problem of network unaccessibility(after TPM problem). Finally i decided to use more drastic way, I turned off security chip and loaded fresh system from recovery partition and then after this I installed SP3 and all recent windows xp updates.

Nerwork devices working now ok.

Later I will try to turn on security chip and download latest upadtes of thinkpad software. We will see if it will still work

When I was looking for solution I find out that some system files was missing - don't know reason, maybe it was because of uninstalling SP3. Some services was not able to start(maybe because of that network connections was not accessible).

Interesting was also that windows was unable to use RestorePoints(I had lot of them). First time in my life I was trying to use Windows Restore function and of course It failed :/. 

Maybe the answer for problem is to turn off security chip during installing SP3 or migrating between Vista->XP. And then turning it on. I will confirm it later. But such solution is not good anyway for who has already installed SP3 or migrated Windows.

sem

[mdnnelson]

Hi:

I went through this same problem and just figured it out. The key is that you need to CLEAR the Security Chip settings in the BIOS, but as most of you know the issue is that you can't find an option for this in the BIOS. The cause for this dilema is that the Clear option only shows up in the BIOS when you start from a cold boot (i.e. starting from the computer being totally turned off). If you warm boot (i.e. Restart, which is the typical case running through system configuration hassles like this) the Clear option is hidden. So, if you want to Clear the security chip settings:

1.) Turn your computer OFF completely

2.) Turn your computer ON

3.) Press F1 during the THINKPAD screen to enter the BIOS utility

4.) Go to the Security page

5.) and now you can select a Clear Security Chip option : )

6.) Exit via F10 to save the settings

Reboot and all is well and Client Security Solutions will run and configure OK

[htoppel]

I have a T61 with Windows XP SP3.  Everything was working fine until I installed the 2012 upgrade to the BitDefender antivirus software.  Since then, on each start up, I get the same message that there was a problem connecting to the TPM (security device) on this computer and it is possible that antivirus or fireware software is blocking the connection.

Do you have a fix?  I looked at the security settings in the bios and did not see any reference to TPM that could be cleared.

Thanks.

Hal Toppel

[tklondon]

i have the same issue and in my bios have no mention of security chip or the options suggested before in this thread.
Its not a fix but i can get back on line.

Ive noticed when my laptop goes to sleep it can not get back on line and ipconfig fails.

All othrr devices in my home work fine.
What i do is go to the router settings and remove the lenovo and let it be re found.
Within seconds im back on line and everything works.

I will never buy lenovo again.
The hardware is ok, but the backup is the worst.
may as well treat these as throw away items

[LLA]

I upgraded my BitDefender recently and now get the same problem.  Did you ever get a fix?  Thanks