also @ TechSpot: Congress pressures Google on Glass privacy concerns

Dell BIOS Password Removal

Discussion in 'Mobile Computing' started by lilfrancisco, Dec 31, 2004.

  1. Ididmyc600 TechSpot Chancellor Posts: 2,251


    The Dellpass PDF does cover the D400 and in detail too, However If I send it to you I will be breaching a copy right agreement that I have when I bought it, the manual can be downloaded via a link in my website and costs a measly $13.
  2. teknix999 Newcomer, in training

    I cracked it d400 latitude

    Yes at last thanks to this thread ive turned my door stop into a working note book :angel: ,,,, the EEprog chip was located to the left of the keyboard
    next to the caps lock key,,, under a plastic cover ,,, i found pins 4 - 5 where
    the pins to short for me, the service tag is now clear , thank you all for the help,, i do have pics if anyone wants them .
    regards all
    for pic`s feel free to email me ,,, email removed :approve:
  3. Paragon33 Newcomer, in training Posts: 343

    The Cap Locks key appears to be on the left side and not the right :rolleyes:
  4. adinelt Newcomer, in training

    I went to the site that Paragon33 showed and read the info that was there. It mentioned that the password can be stored in the system area of the hard drive or on an eeprom. Just out of curiosity, if the password was stored in the system area of the hard drive, could you use a bulk eraser to wipe the entire hard drive clean, thereby removing the password? I understand the data on the drive would be lost, but at least you would have a working hard drive, providing the bulk eraser didn't do anything else to the electronics. Again, just curious...

    Al
  5. teknix999 Newcomer, in training

    I cracked it d400 latitude

    SORRY EVERYONE yes paragon33 i ment the left ,,,,damn can get past the password but don`t know me left from right ,,,, sorry its on the left ,,,duh
    and thank you all again
  6. Ididmyc600 TechSpot Chancellor Posts: 2,251


    The problem is, once the drive is locked, it becomes unrecognised by most BIOS's or is only recognised as a Zero sized drive, because of this most programs wont do anything to the drive contents.

    I did a read up on the web , there are programs that claim to be able to remove the password, but they dont work, it seems the drives are built with the capability to be locked and who ever designed it made sure there was no easy way past it.
     
  7. Ididmyc600 TechSpot Chancellor Posts: 2,251

    Did you use the software to reset the tag, I mean why shouldn't you have the capability to set passwords, you made it your machine with your own blood, sweat and tears, so go on do it....
  8. adinelt Newcomer, in training

    By a bulk eraser, I meant the type that you would use for erasing tapes, etc. like the type shown here http://www.cdimediasolutions.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_49_108

    When you erase the drive, it wouldn't even be connected to a computer.
  9. Ididmyc600 TechSpot Chancellor Posts: 2,251

    It might erase the contents, of the drive, but as for the password.....

    Paragon ... thoughts please....
  10. miketyler Newcomer, in training

    HD locked

    Well it got busy since I last posted but I finally got a chance to tinker with that locked drive today.

    I put it in an XP machine and it didn't show up at all in My Computer. The first time I launched Disk Mgr the dynamic disk wizard popped up. I cancelled the wizard to see what other options were available but the properties and all else on the drivewas greyed out. doh!

    Subsequent reboots and the drive virtually disappeared and wasnt present in Disk Mgr. Removed it, booted, then shutdown and restarted with the drive now reconnected and the dynamic disk wizard pops up again. This time I tell it to make this otherwise inaccessible disk dynamic, create the partition, and format. Away it went and the drive is working as normal again.

    Not a big deal but truly only half of the battle won. I REALLY was curious as to what might be on the drive to make folks go to such lengths. I guess for now I will have to settle for having a working drive again for another laptop.

    this thread has alot of momentum going - keep up the good work!

    HTH
    Mike
  11. atrocius Newcomer, in training

    Dell Latitude D510

    Hello to all,

    I get two days ago a second hand latitude d510 and I was really happy until I found out that the bios is locked. When I first saw that I didn't really bothered because I though I still can format my hard disk. The bad thing is that my first boot device is my hard disk and my second is my NIC card so I can't even use my laptop now.

    My service tag ends with -595b

    I tried all the software you have (with caps lock and without) but still nothing.
    Yesterday I unscrew all the laptop but I didn't fount the eeprom chip or any chip similar...

    I can log on into bios but under security the admin password is SET and in Unlock Setup as well so I cannot change the boot sequence in order to do a new installation.

    I 'm really confused I read all the pages but I didn’t found much information about latitude D 510

    HELP PLEASE I'VE GOT NIGHTMARES WITH PASSWORDS :dead: :dead:

    Thanks in advance

    Email:email removed
  12. Ididmyc600 TechSpot Chancellor Posts: 2,251



    Your service tag ends in 595B, it says on the site that the password maker wont work with it.

    Read the site thoroughly, it has the answer you seek, but I'll tell you anyway coz i'm feelin generous

    On the site is a section on making a bootable Harddrive, and a disk on the software page that will do it automatically, use the instuctions or the disk, you will need a spare drive, but if your planning on doing a reinstall you can use the one in the laptop,

    Once you have made the disk simply pop it into the laptop and let it boot.
    Erase the service tag and it's bye bye passwords.

    Any questions please ask
  13. Paragon33 Newcomer, in training Posts: 343

    Mike, it would help to know the Brand and type number on the drive you cracked. As previously commented, not all drives use the same storage point for the password, and the security level varies depending on what brand and model laptop on which it was set. Not to disparage your triumph, but what worked in your case may not work in another, and anyone who tries your successful method should be prepared for disappoint if it does not work on their drive. Thanks for your feedback.
  14. Ididmyc600 TechSpot Chancellor Posts: 2,251

    Me thinks I will try some of the tosh's I have here and see if it does work on them,
  15. maldoon Newcomer, in training

    Reset Dell BIOS passwords, foolproof, easy, CD

    I have read many threads regarding tearing open laptops and re setting the EEPROM chip with a paper clip, not only is this time consuming but it can also be dangerous. So, after trawlling the internet for months here's the lowdown:

    If you wish to reset the machines Service Tag or Asset Tag, use ASSET.com from a DOS boot disk. The program LATTITUDE.EXE will only reset the BIOS password on the older Dell laptops, if you have a password on a newer machine you will need something a bit more precise. I have purchased a bootable CD that will erase the EEPROM taking all the BIOS passwords with it, works a treat!! Flashing the BIOS with a download from Dell WILL NOT remove passwords, the CD bootdisk is the way forward.

    Or you could hack the machine to bits and stab it randomly with paper clips.....I know which one I'd prefer!!

    And FYI, I have used the disk so far on A C600, C610 and a CPIa, all are now unlocked!!
  16. Ididmyc600 TechSpot Chancellor Posts: 2,251



    And what do you do if your faced with the grey screen asking for a password, the one that stops you from doing anything...

    Answer... you have to hack the laptop to bits and reset the EEPROM,

    Please dont think I'm being rude but you obviously haven't read this whole thread.

    And as for the CD you bought, If you wanted the same thing I have it on the site in my tag FOR FREE.. along with other tools that make floppy versions and a way to make a bootable Hard drive should your boot order be locked to boot from HD only

    Sorry to rain on your parade.
  17. maldoon Newcomer, in training

    Yeah, but no, but yeah...

    The CD I have boots up with 'For Internal Dell use only' and happily bypasses the Grey password screen by erasing the EEPROM without having to open up the laptop.

    The CPIA I used the disk on has this password screen, doesn't anymore..........
  18. Ididmyc600 TechSpot Chancellor Posts: 2,251


    This disk I have to see,

    The grey screen prevents any booting up whatsoever from any medium until a password is inputted.

    I would very much like to see a file list of the files on this supposed wonder disk, you can private message me with them or post them here
  19. maldoon Newcomer, in training

    Wow

    What and angry little man you are!! I'm not trying to sell this disk, merely telling of my own experience.

    Perhaps you feel you own private enterprise is under threat? Well I can assure you I am completely uninterested in undermining you cottage enterprise and think you should perhaps take a holiday and calm down a bit?

    What an odd little fellow.
  20. Ididmyc600 TechSpot Chancellor Posts: 2,251



    I'm not angry, just bemused that after all this thread , a disk that claims to be able to get rid of the grey screen comes to light

    do you not realise what a break through this would be if it was true,

    Why dont you answer my question and upload a copy of this disk somewhere so that we can see if it does work,

    before you do just visit my site and see if the grey screen you talk about matches that on the homepage of my my site

    If it does I can close the site down and retire this thread.

    I wait for your reply (hopefully without the insults)