also @ TechSpot: AMD A4-5000 Review: the affordable ultraportable APU

Has anybody got instructions how to disassemble Dell D620 laptop?

Discussion in 'Mobile Computing' started by MrStickleback, Jan 20, 2008.

  1. MrStickleback Newcomer, in training

    Hi team,

    This is my first post. I discovered Techspot whilst looking for information about how to reset the admin BIOS password on a D620 I have recently bought. This thread is really useful ... [but as I'm new the forum will not let me post the URL] t-40199-p-3.

    However, it assumes you know how to disassemble the offending laptop down to the motherboard. Does anybody have any manual, information, *****s guide (preferably with pictures!!) that I could use?

    I have seen the PDF that covers the reset process and there is one picture relating to the D610. But it doesn't look anything like my D620!

    Thanks in advance.
  2. Blind Dragon TechSpot Evangelist Posts: 4,048

  3. mscrx Newcomer, in training Posts: 829

    you can disassemble your 620 a hundred times but that will not change your password situation... the shorting method will not work for latitude x20 and above.
    which password do you need to reset? if it is the gray / white screen then your only chance is dell or somebody else who can give/sell you a master password.
  4. Obi TechSpot Enthusiast Posts: 200

    the following models can be unlocked by paper clip methode.

    Precision
    M60

    Latitude
    XP

    Latitude
    XPi

    Latitude
    CP

    Latitude
    CPi

    Latitude
    CPiA

    Latitude
    CPx

    Latitude
    CPxJ

    Latitude
    CS

    Latitude
    CSx

    Latitude
    c400

    Latitude
    c500

    Latitude
    c510

    Latitude
    c540

    Latitude
    c600

    Latitude
    c610

    Latitude
    c640

    Latitude
    c800

    Latitude
    c810

    Latitude
    c840

    Latitude
    D400

    Latitude
    D410

    Latitude
    D500

    Latitude
    D505

    Latitude
    D510

    Latitude
    D600

    Latitude
    D610

    Latitude
    D800

    Latitude
    D810

    Latitude
    110L

    Latitude
    X1

    Inspiron
    2650

    Inspiron
    510m

    Inspiron
    600m

    Inspiron
    3200

    Inspiron
    3500

    Inspiron
    3800

    Inspiron
    4000

    Inspiron
    4100

    Inspiron
    4150

    Inspiron
    5100

    Inspiron
    6000

    Inspiron
    7000

    Inspiron
    7500

    Inspiron
    8000

    Inspiron
    8100

    Inspiron
    8200

    Inspiron
    8500

    Inspiron
    8600

    Inspiron
    9300

    Inspiron
    M170

    Inspiron
    1100

    Inspiron
    1200

    Inspiron
    1300

    Inspiron
    2200

    Inspiron
    XPS Gen2
  5. MrStickleback Newcomer, in training

    Thanks for all the information and the very fast response (on a Sunday as well!). The password I need is the BIOS admin password. After pressing F2 during boot and entering the BIOS setup screen it is showing most of the peripherals as being disabled (wireless card, IR etc.) An admin password has been set and I cannot change the settings.

    Looks like I'm stuffed then.
  6. mscrx Newcomer, in training Posts: 829

    I think you're not.
    go to this website:
    http://www.download.centre4service.com/software1.html
    and download the dst-cd (password = smellyalater)
    burn it to a cd and boot your laptop with it. if you cannot boot from cd you can either change the boot order from the one time boot menu (hit f12 during dell post screen) or download the dst-floppy or dst-usb.
    once booted the cd/fd/usb change or delete the service tag. this should remove the bios config/admin password as well.
    don't forget to set the service tag back to its correct value for warranty reasons.

    good luck
     
  7. craft Newcomer, in training

    help i have dell d620 white screen service code sqwm5b1 can any one help me whis adm. password. please... thanks
  8. MrStickleback Newcomer, in training

    Thanks to mscrx and Blind Dragon for the information above.

    Unfortunately I am still stuffed as the boot order is one of the BIOS settings that is set and protected. It is set to HDD only :( so no chance of booting using the disk image mentioned above.

    This machine looks to me as if it's an ex-corporate set up that has been locked down good and proper. It's also got something called Safeboot installed that requires a log on (which I do have the details for). I reckon I've been done like a kipper!
  9. Blind Dragon TechSpot Evangelist Posts: 4,048

    Since you took it apart you could try removing the CMOS battery on the motherboard, give 15 seconds or so then plug it back in, that should reset the BIOS to default settings
  10. mscrx Newcomer, in training Posts: 829

    I don't think removing the battery will reset anything on this laptop.
    did you try the f12 one time boot menu?
  11. MrStickleback Newcomer, in training

    Yep, tried the F12 one time boot menu. Only the HDD option is available. I've not tried removing the battery but the info on the internet all points to that not working either.

    Any other ideas, or should I put it back on ebay and sell to some other unsuspecting mug?
  12. mscrx Newcomer, in training Posts: 829

    ok, you now have three options...

    1. sell it
    2. buy a password (ebay, certain password sites)
    3. install dos to the hdd or any other laptop hdd and put the stuff from the dst cd on it. if you can boot the hdd into dos and manage to start the svctag.exe then you should be able to reset the pw for bios config.

    you shoul dgive it a try. all you need is another laptop or adapter for desktop and dos install disks.
  13. kemar14 Newcomer, in training

    I think i will go with option 3
  14. MrStickleback Newcomer, in training

    Thanks again. I'm going with option 3 as I have very little to lose. It's going to take me a week as I''l be away but I'll post the result here.

    Just to make me feel better, are we sure that deleting the service tag via this svctag.exe utility will remove the BIOS Admin password? Has anybody here got it to work on a D620? Positive responses welcomed!
  15. mscrx Newcomer, in training Posts: 829

    I don't have a d620 here, not sure when I will be back in my office to test it.
    but I tested it with c610, c640, c400, d400, d600, d610, m60, d810 and some inspiron models. I also have a d820 in my home office where I can test it.
    it is worth a try!
  16. MrStickleback Newcomer, in training

    It works! I can confirm that using the service tag reset tool to remove the service tag does unlock the BIOS passwords for a Dell D620. The tool can also be used to reset the service tag. I am one happy bunny. Thanks to all contributors above.
  17. mscrx Newcomer, in training Posts: 829

    thanks for posting the result and congratulations it worked for you!
  18. wooooody Newcomer, in training Posts: 25

    What was the procedure you used? I too have been searching for a solution to unlock a d620, your help would be appreciated.
  19. mscrx Newcomer, in training Posts: 829

    please read the whole thread and try search function. you will find all information yourself!
  20. wooooody Newcomer, in training Posts: 25

    I have done, I have read most of the d62o threads on the forum, my d620 wont boot from CD and I have also tried putting the service tag software on USB drive, but laptop wont boot from that either.

    I really would not be asking if the information needed to unlock the bios password on the d620 was here. ;-)

    You have said install dos to the hdd or any other laptop hdd, but how do you actually do that?