Do you know how long the service warranty on the laptop was/is? I found the question on dells support site but their answer was to contact them:
How to Clear the BIOS Password
Journal ID: 093489Z8LZ
Article ID: 184659
Date Published: 10/17/2007
Last Revised: 9/26/2009
By Internet
Contact Dell Technical Support online.
By Telephone
Please have your Express Service Code ready. The Express Service Code can be found on a sticker at the bottom of portable computers and on the back panel of desktop computers.
Note:
If you cannot locate the Express Service Code, go to Technical Support Contact Us. Click Find My Express Service Code and Yes, I Do Agree. Make note of the Express Service Code that appears.
* Dell Technical Support at (800) 624-9896
* Dell Automated Support at (800) 247-9362
* If you purchased your computer through a Faculty, Student, and Staff (FSS) program or an Employee Purchase Program (EPP), call (800) 456-3355.