Dell BIOS Password Removal

i bought my dell latitude 400cs second-hand at a thrift store, with no way of finding the previous owner.and dell won't help.... Anybody have some ideas no how to remove it? It won't let me change any bios settings. help.............. :suspiciou

Is it the bios pw or the logon pw?

my apoligies for not responding sooner, work is killing me...It's the bios admin password. I keep hearing about people with same problem wiping the admin password by shorting out certin pins on some chip on the board (under the cpu) having hard time finding what pins...... :mad:

A reliable method can be found here:
http://www.cgsecurity.org/
look for Password recovery.

Try the backdoor password Dell

Christophe Grenier has written a program that will calculate the master BIOS password for Dell Latitudes from the Service Tag number. That program is available at http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~skynet/zips/latitude.exe.

if you call dell they will help you !! They will generate a working key that will disable the bios password.

Call again :haha:

i've already called dell 3 times, and each time they say sorry but you are the proud owner of a dell latitude cs doorstop. very rude service from dell!!!!!!!!!

I got the program latitude.exe from 5 different sites and when i click on it to start it in windows xp it just opens the DOS window and then shuts itself immediatly! What gives?? I tried running it in compaibility mode of every OS and it still does the same thing.

I don 't believe you can run a DOS based program with XP. You will need an older OS such as 98 (the one I used to run the program). Unfortunately, the one I downloaded just askes for the service tag. As soon as I enter the first key, I get the message that the program is shutting down. Anyone have a working copy of this program???
Thanks.

Go into a command-session (or DOS-box) in any OS you like.
Go to the directory with the LATITUDE.EXE program in it (size is only 5,467).
Type in latitude 12345 and hit enter.You have to substitute 12345 with your 5-character service tag number. The program then gives you the password.
Simple (if you know how to).

Attached is a working version in a zip-file

Edited by Per: Note that some antivirus programs might indentify this file is a "hacktool" that is perfectly ok, the file indeed is a "hacktool" but it does not do anything "bad" to your computer.
That is it only does what has been explained in this thread and that classifies it as a hacktool...

Edited by kimsland
Here's some more help: ;)
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http://www.techspot.com/vb/post610782-4.html
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I get the message:
"cannot execute C:\documents and settings\latitude.exe"
This is the directory I have placed the file.
I am running XP under the run: cmd box
Please help!!!

Assuming you have a floppy drive. Try running the latitue.exe off of a DOS boot disk. That way you bypass all the XP/NT compatibility issues.

If you don't have a boot disk handy, DOS boot disk images can be found for free at a website called bootdisk-dot-com. Make sure you copy the latitude.exe on to the boot disk.

Thanks, I got it to work, however, the password is incorrect.
Any other options?

If you do a google search on "latitude.exe" there is a couple of forums that could help you.

I snagged this blurb from someone on the windrivers forum who was having a similar problem to yours
.
Hi, I just had the same problem with my Dell CPI. I used that program in latitude.zip and it worked like a champ! Now you say your service tag is CD10V, that is only part of it. When your PC boots up and asks for the Password you should see CD10VV-**-xx or something like that. I thought the ** was some hidden letters/numbers but I typed it exactly how it was displayed and the Password given worked. My Laptop had done this before but then eventually let me in. But this time since I used the Recovery password, I found out that the letter O is not working with my keyboard. O is in my password. A couple other keys were not working also. So I got lucky the backdoor password didnt use any of those letters. I guess I would have plugged in an external keyboard.

Have you tried removing the CMOS battery for a day or so; let the charge dissipate completely. This used to work on older bioses!

I think that works on ALL of them

Since the CMOS stores all the settings, removing/replacing the battery will reset the BIOS password.

Unfortunately, NO.

What would be the point of a security password that could be so easily bypassed..?


Laptop computers use far more stringent methods of securing themselves than old desktops used to.


Removing the CMOS battery will NOT remove the passwords on a typical laptop. The passwords are stored in a NVRAM area, usually in the same chip that the BIOS is stored in. Simply removing power to this chip will NOT erase it.

Oh, I didnt kno he was using a laptop

I am not all that familiar with Dell systems

But yes, laptops use enhanced security and it is a lot tougher to bypass

Have you tried removing the CMOS battery for a day or so

Where can one get another one of these chips? I can easily desolder and resolder a new one.

Posted by DOOM KABOOM on June 18, 2002 at 07:18:52:

In Reply to: Re: Need Bios Password for laptop DELL Latitude C600 posted by doom kaboom on June 18, 2002 at 06:46:56:

: all bios passwords can be removed easily,

: 1-create a dos system disk,
: 2- copy "debug" (this is a dos command found in windows\command directory) onto the system disk you created,
: 3- boot the machine with this disk,
: 4- at dos prompt type: debug then enter, you will see a blinking dash
: 5- type: o 70 2e then enter, (also seen: o 70 18)
: 6- type: o 71 ff then enter,
: 7- type: q then enter,
: 8- remove the floppy and reboot! Power the system off and on by unplugging and re-plugging the system into the power outlet

: send me a thanks mail email removed


Found this too: http://qasimtoep.tripod.com/dell/dell2.html

Ihave already made an attempt to reset it by doing the proceedure in the post above. No luck, my quest now is to hunt for one of these chips and replace it.

i have a latitude ls and has 7 letters/numbers combination, it seems Latitude.exe only works with 5 characters.

any suggestions??????

[B]I just got a dell inspiron 2500 laptop from a second hand shop,

I was only give one password which I entered but when the Dell computer turns on, an adminstrative box pops up with the user name already in there and a password box.

I don't know that password, I tried what Doom Said, but here is what happened.

I'm running a xp pro on my house computer, I went to floppy then properties the format then create ms-dos disk, then I went to c:windows and copied the only file that said debug to the floppy.

Then went to put it in the dell laptop and the prompt command came up, I typed debug and it said bad command or something??

Please help me, Im not that good with computers and I don't want to loose the money I paid for it.

Thanx for getting back to me as soon as you can.



Roy D

email removed



Originally Posted by found in some forum

Posted by DOOM KABOOM on June 18, 2002 at 07:18:52:

In Reply to: Re: Need Bios Password for laptop DELL Latitude C600 posted by doom kaboom on June 18, 2002 at 06:46:56:

: all bios passwords can be removed easily,

: 1-create a dos system disk,
: 2- copy "debug" (this is a dos command found in windows\command directory) onto the system disk you created,
: 3- boot the machine with this disk,
: 4- at dos prompt type: debug then enter, you will see a blinking dash
: 5- type: o 70 2e then enter, (also seen: o 70 18)
: 6- type: o 71 ff then enter,
: 7- type: q then enter,
: 8- remove the floppy and reboot! Power the system off and on by unplugging and re-plugging the system into the power outlet

: send me a thanks mail email removed

You have to BOOT from that floppy, then you will get the Dos-prompt A:>
Now start at instruction 4-

I purchased a 2nd or 3rd or 4th hand Dell L400 from ebay with a blank 10. G hard drive. I installed Window XP Pro and everything works fine. I want to upgrade mine to bigger hard drive. When I check my CMOS set up screen. Admin and User password both are not set. But INTERNAL HARD DRIVE PASSWORD is Set and I can't get to it from CMOS set up screen. How do I get rid of that INTERNAL HARD DRIVE PASSWORD? Does the same process described above works on it too? BTW my TAG has ####### 7 characters.
Thanks!

I ran latitude.exe file and put in my 7 character Dell Tag Number the master password didn't work for my laptop. I went to CMOS, Internal Hard Drive password was locked not accessible. I tried and tried finally gave up on it.
Then I created a bootable up DOS disk and copied debug program to floppy disk. I booted up from A: when I tried to run debug. It gave me Incorrect DOS version won't let me run "debug" program at all. My debug program has different date then command.com.
Next thing I did was boot up my laptop from my hard drive with my Window XP PRO, then I use "search" command to find "debug" it's under window\system32. Next thing I did was double click "debug" and it launched a small pop up black dos window showed up with blinking cursor.
I went it there followed "REALBLACKSTUFF"'s post instruction 4 and on. I didn't do the (even thing). After I replug my power cord and turn my Dell on and go to CMOS Setup screen. WOOHOO "INTERNAL HARD DRIVE PASSWORD" is GONE.
Thank you guys! I feel good.

that would be my first try. Removing the CMOS completely resets BIOS on most computers.

this is an operating system password issue
there are places out there where you can download and run to erase, reset the boot password for OS
I have had some bios enabled passwords lock up the reset option so reset cmos does not always work.
I bought a forensics grade edition and fix pc's for customers all the time.
if the problem is with bios lock up you can buy a new bios chip

:angel: Where can one get another one of these chips? I can easily desolder and resolder a new one.
site removed

Hi I have a dell 8500 Inspiron with an Bios password it wont boot it just stays at this screen till you give it the right password Please Help Me! Bios rev AO3 :bounce:

SOrry for your trouble man, but the only way to get pass the password is to replace the MB cause the bios password is set in the bios chip on the MB. The reason Dell will not help you is becuase you are not the one that bought the system. Do a transfer of ownershipp on the support web site and when the info has changed to your name. Then you can call Dell and have them give you a master password. If that dosent work you will have to have the MB replaced. SORRY.

Replace the Mobo that is BS
this is what you do
unplug your system
pop the CMOS batt and pull a jumper pin ( any jumper pin)
turn the system on with it unplugged hold it for about 1 min or more
put the CMOS batt back and the jumper pin and reboot

if this didnot work repeat with a diffrent jumper pin.

heck some dells if you just hit enter long enoghf the password protecter will let you in.

the other thing you can do is get a bootable dos disk with the newest bios version on it flash the bios and poof no-more password

Replacing the MB is not BS cause the bios is intergrated on it and if the person wants to take the chance to take it off and put on another that is there promblem but flashing the bios will not get raid of the password and neither will take out the cmos battery, so in all take a guess who i work for.

Flashing the bios chip didn't work for me, but replacing the chip worked great.

Oh, I didnt kno he was using a laptop

I am not all that familiar with Dell systems

But yes, laptops use enhanced security and it is a lot tougher to bypass

Most Laptops if you pull the system batt out unplugg it and hold the power down for about 5 min the boot security will be over ridden and you can boot the system and popping the cmos batt will do the same in a laptop how do you think the fix your laptop when you send it for repairs? the ones with added security just had an IC with a jumper in a hard to see location (normaly well hidden by something) or a reset button that is offten RED or YELLOW.

It is a laptop?? ok now we are in the know...

go get a static wrist strap use it and crack that laptop open after removing athe system batt, pop the CMOS batt and hold the power down if that doesnot work then start looking for jumpers and follow what I posted yesterday

Replacing the MB is not BS cause the bios is intergrated on it and if the person wants to take the chance to take it off and put on another that is there promblem but flashing the bios will not get raid of the password and neither will take out the cmos battery, so in all take a guess who i work for.

I am sitting at a Dell that some bonehead put a password on at school in my Network Specialist and Internet Security Program and I got past it...

So kenny81 if you work for Dell what city do you work in and where do you take you calls from?

And if you are with Dell you will know what the big deal about Edmonton Alberta Canada is.

Kenny81 maybe right about the laptop but I know there is allways a backdoor allways, most of the time the call center support staff are not told about it because the company doesnot want it to become knowen to the public but there is allways one. Starting with software I will look around and get back to you.

Between: Doom Kahboom Realblackstuff and my posts you should be able to over ride the password there is a few more ways but they are for a trained tech to do and one of the three options is realy not wize as it is a Dell and second-hand at that.

Where can one get another one of these chips? I can easily desolder and resolder a new one.
I dont think so, if you want to, it is pain in the @$$ to find specific chip! I am not sure if you can do that to laptop. I think you can fry it! :hotbounce

:knock: Lucan

This has been deleted.

[QUOTE=Secondgunman]Most Laptops if you pull the system batt out unplugg it and hold the power down for about 5 min the boot security will be over ridden and you can boot the system and popping the cmos batt will do the same in a laptop how do you think the fix your laptop when you send it for repairs? the ones with added security just had an IC with a jumper in a hard to see location (normaly well hidden by something) or a reset button that is offten RED or YELLOW.

It is a laptop?? ok now we are in the know...

...
:hotbounce
okay, i have been pulling my hair out with this no startup wnats a password crap. Can you give me detailed instruction on your tips for fixing this problem? We have a Dell demention (4550 series) that goes to the "Dell" screen with the little row of lights, then goes to a black screen with Pheonix copyright info and Dell copyright info, then sais "primary HD 1 not enabled "(or something along those lines) and then "2ndary HD 1 not enabled"... then "type the password and press enter to leave password security enabled" then sais "press Ctrl and enter to disable password security"... it then sais enter password.

We try the above and just keep getting "enter password." It finally doesn't let us keep trying (kinda like the ATM machine) and sais system haulted and pc will power down. It then shuts off.

keep in mind that we have already been thru the usual tricks with the "del" key, "F8" key, etc, and also the winxp cd-rom which the system completly ignored.

I would really appreciate your help. I have NEVER had to deal with this kind of a glitch before. By the way, my toshiba laptop just started doing almost the identical thing. It doesnt even get to the "Toshiba" screen before giving me a black screen that simply sais "password" and thats it!

Have you ever heard a grown woman swear loud enough for the neighbors to hear?? :-D

Maybe you will have to do the change of ownership on Dell's website. I was just talking to a bud (who works for Dell) he is almost 100% sure that with that model system you will have to either get a new motherboard or change ownership over. Some models you don't but he said that one you do.

Once again a reason not to buy a Dell an ISO security feature on a system that is not ISO stamped.

In the case of replacing the mobo I would go out and get and Asus AMD Mobo (or any AMD 939 64 bit mobo) and have the world's only Dell that works and has an AMD CPU... Well Second that I know of, I have a frankienputer that is a Dell case but and Asus AMD mobo I used to use it for lanparties... people would LOL at it till I booted the system up faster then them and fagged them.

I have a latitude CPx latitude and i need the administrator password... i need change the boot secuence.... I tried the latitude.exe and the "master password" is incorrect. my service tag is ""FAZNG""

Help me...

Thanks

If you are the owner of the laptop and can verify that then Dell will give you the password, or if you can verify any info about who owned it before you, if not then you need to do a transfer of ownership on the Dell support website.

man, I've seen so many problems with dell's proprietary architecture it's amazing. We're dealing with trying to buy RAM for a Dell at my office. And the RAM is proprietary.

I have a latitude CPx latitude and i need the administrator password... i need change the boot secuence.... I tried the latitude.exe and the "master password" is incorrect. my service tag is ""FAZNG""

Help me...

Thanks

Latitude.exe only works with the D-35B models. With the service tag you gave I am getting "0zprhnvz" (using the updated Latitude MasterPW.exe). If your service tag number ends in D-35B, be sure to type in all the characters that are displayed on the "enter password" screen, for example, "FAZNG**-D35B". You will have to use the Latitude MasterPW.exe, because the older Latitude.exe only takes five characters.

I'm having problems of my own, but I'll write about it in another post.

I used to think that Dell were the "Cat's meow" of laptops, now I have and Aser Farrari AMD 64 3500 and a HP-Compaq P4 3.2 Ghz and they both will pound and Dell into the ground un like my Dell Laptop that is now my soon to be wife's Internet and note station I can use my USB harddrive and DVD burner on my two laptop I can use the USB data cable from Radio Shack with them the Compaq has a 5 in 1 memory card reader Bluetooth, wireless, cd/dvd burner, 128 bit ATI with vidio in and out graphics, the aser has most of that excluding the video in and with the both the Compaq and the Aser I can use other rame and hard drives. "Them FiretrUCKERS at Dell put some stupid ket on the cables so you have to use their ATA drive and can't just run down to Ma' and Pa's Computer Extchange and get an ATA laptop drive... But being the morons they are at Dell they put the key on the cable and the key slot on their drives so I just filed the key off the cable leaving just the one that should be there and TADA!!! it now works with any ATA drive.

All this with the spyware Dell adds to their systems and a few other things like not even given the choice to buy their systems with AMD I am fedup with Dell, if Dell was got go Belly-up tomarrow I would be Dancing in the streets.

The only thing I like about Dell is they are moving all their Tech support centers back to North America and they are all DELL owned Compaq HP uses a call center contractor and the person the is taking your call for Compaqs could be taking calls for three or four other Computer companies.

I'm no fan of Dell, either. I own a Dell home computer that I've had for over six years, and it still runs fine, but I wouldn't buy anything else built by Dell because of all the "proprietary" parts they slap into their equipment. Last year I built my own computer and I'm quite happy with it.

The laptop I have is not mine. In fact, I've never owned a notebook computer. My son-in-law picked it up from the university where he works (a five-year-old Dell Latitude CPtS). It was going to be tossed into the dumpster and they just gave it to him. I offered to help him get into it, not knowing what a pain in the a** it would be. Turns out it was loaded with passwords (Primary Password, Administrator Password, HDD Password Lock, and Disabled BIOS). I was about ready to do the EEPROM trick before I discovered how to get "LatitudePW.exe" to work.

I spent many hours combing the internet for info, taking the notebook apart (to reset the CMOS battery -- which is underneath the palmrest -- before I realized that would not work due to the NVRAM chip), etc., etc. So, FYI to anyone who is interested, the LatitudePW.exe -- which only works with the tag ending in D-35B -- will give you not only a Primary (User) Password, but will also unlock the HDD if you type in those characters exactly as they appear on the "HDD Password Enter" screen. When I typed in the HDD Password, it permanently disabled the hard drive password. Unfortunately, once I got into the BIOS I was unable to change any settings because an Administrator password had been typed in (Administrator can disable the BIOS, which they had). After some more web surfing, I finally discovered that you have to enter the Primary Password (the Master obtained from LatitudePW.exe) and then, rather than just striking Enter, hold the Control button down while striking the Enter key twice. That wiped both the Primary and Administrator Passwords at once, which also enabled the BIOS configuration.

Anyway, now I'm waiting for a Dell diskette drive with external hook-up cable I bought on Ebay, since the notebook only has a CD-Rom drive. The hard drive had been wiped, so I'll have to install a copy of Win 98SE, drivers, etc. I was going to ask my son-in-law if he would like to trade something for the notebook (I just wanted it for typing and web browsing), but now that I've been messing with it for a while, I realize I don't like the feel of the keyboard -- it's too cramped.

All in all, it's been a learning experience (which I'd rather not repeat, thank you). If anyone has any questions about this particular type of notebook, I'd be glad to offer you whatever help I can over the forum.

Cheers!

On the motherboard there should be a small jumper called Reset CMOS. Jump it and the password will default to "". (Blank)

I have an old Latitude CPx with a password that the owner's daughter set. Now they don't know it and I haven't been able to figure out how to reset it. I haven't been able to get my hands on a copy of the latitudePW.exe or find the chip inside to short the pins. Anyone have ideas or suggestions (or a link for the program) so I can reset the password? I couldn't find what I needed up to now. Many thanks!

Nope. There is no jumper on this particular notebook to reset the CMOS. Even if there were, it would make no difference. The Primary and Administrator passwords are stored in an NVRAM chip (non-volatile ram) that is not dependent on an electrical charge. I disconnected the battery (twice -- and left it disconnected for hours), which is equivalent to resetting with a jumper. It did not clear the passwords, just reset the BIOS back to its defaults. I don't want to go into it in great detail, because it has been covered earlier in the thread. The Dell notebooks (at least this model) are notorious for their difficult-to-bypass passwords.