What models have Trusted Platform Module (TPM)?

Question

I'm in the processs of enabeling Bitlocker on my new Thinkpad Edge E531 running Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit. Windows seems to think the machine does not have a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip installed, which nowadays one would think would be pretty standard. No where in the bios does anything refer to a TPM chip, so if it has to be enabled, it's not clear how. The E531 User manual also makes no mention of TPM, which you'd think it would since it talks about disk encryption. So.... 1. Does the Thinkpad Edge E531 not have a TPM chip?2. If it does, how does one get Windows to recognize it? It is called something else in the bios?3. If it does not, can one be added? Lenovo does sell a TPM module but gives no info on what models it is for.4. And last. what models of Lenovo's present line contain a TPM chip?

Answer 1

Andy, I have an Erazer X510 that came with Windows 8.1 I recently purchased.  I installed 8.1 Pro Pack to be able to use Media Center and Bitlocker encryption & am having the same issue not having the ability to enable TPM, an extra security feature for encryption that was not available with standard Windows 8.1.  I would have opted for 8.1Pro when I ordered this desktop from Lenovo,  but it wasn't offered.  I was able to set up a Bitlocker password and recovery pin, but when I attempted to enable everything with TPM it failed because it was not found.  The error message stated it may need to be accessed by changing BIOS.  I tried getting to BIOS settings without restarting the OS as documentation I could find stated how to,  but there wasn't a selection for EUFA Settings on the wash screens.  I will have to try to access it from the usual method of rebooting.  In order to use the Bitlocker encryption it requires TPM 1.2, and one of the popup error responses my system offers refers to possibly it only having version1.0, and also says TPM needs to be accessed in BIOS settings.  1) Can you please elaborate in detail exactly what you were stating needed to be done in your last sentence of your post on this topic?  I know if I do enter BIOS to change settings,  it may have unintended consequences for the system if I alter the wrong options.  2) Which particular option(s) am I required to change to enable the TPM version it has installed?  And, what does it require if it needs an update to version1.2?  If this Erazer system actually has the option with the TPM security chip, it would have been nice for Lenovo to have already had it enabled,  and if it actually is not there,  it would have been helpful if this information could have been stated in documentation.