Dell BIOS Password Removal

I will take the hdd out and see what happens, i dont really want to rip the laptop apart though :(

I will take the hdd out and see what happens, i dont really want to rip the laptop apart though :(


Occasionally we have to do things that we don't want to to achieve our ends.

I didn't want to either but Paragon knows his stuff and with his guide it worked ok, If you find yourself in the position of having to rip the lappy apart then remember it's either that or keep it the way it is.

Two questions:

If I take it apart myself, will I have to re-enter the service tag before I have access to the BIOS again? I don't have a floppy drive on the laptop, so it won't be possible to re-enter a service tag.

And the second question:

If I take the computer to a tech, will they be able to install windows on my new hard drive, put it in the laptop and have it working normally again?

Two questions:

If I take it apart myself, will I have to re-enter the service tag before I have access to the BIOS again? I don't have a floppy drive on the laptop, so it won't be possible to re-enter a service tag.

And the second question:

If I take the computer to a tech, will they be able to install windows on my new hard drive, put it in the laptop and have it working normally again?


If you reset the EEPROM using the Paragon Method then you will have access to the BIOS all you wont be able to do is set a password until the service tag is reset, but as you have access to the BIOS then you can change the boot order to CD first and use the Paragon Disk to run the software needed to set your service tag

If you take it to a tech they would have to build XP or 2K on an identical machine before transferring it to your laptop as XP and 2K are hardware dependant OS's unlike 98 or ME which can be transferred ad hoc.

I just reste the EEPROM and it was MUCH easier than it looked. And it worked, too! Thanks, Paragon. You are a God to people who buy second hand laptops.

I just reste the EEPROM and it was MUCH easier than it looked. And it worked, too! Thanks, Paragon. You are a God to people who buy second hand laptops.


Hi why not tell us what laptop you reset the EEPROM on and how you did it, it always helps others to have info like that.

Cheers

hello! i try to short the chip during boot - the password is not removed. i replaced the chip with a new one - the password is not removed. :eek: what can i do? :confused:
i make it with the 24c02 displayed in the Dell_EEProm_Clear.pdf.


I am not sure as the D800 is a very late machine and Dell tries to stop the cracking by making it tougher. I woukd try Shorting after the boot starts and at time varying from milliseconds up to as long as 6-7 seconds. Also try 3/6, 4/6, and 4/5 pin sets
Dell also amends/updates the SVCTAG.EXE files used to reset Service Tags after the shorting takes you a Manufacturing Mode Screen, and also increases the number. Since I started all this about 2 years ago, the EEProm Erase files have increased by two.The original files I had were EE-XP, EE-CP, EE-CPA, EE-LS and EE-LS2. EE-Value and EE-CPB have been now added as of 7-20-05. There is a later version of the software out at this time, but I have not been able to find a copy except once , and was out bid on that one. I have had 2 reports from folks that EE-CPB comes back with an error and refuses to reset the Service Tag after the shorting on some of the later models. AS I have said a few times, this is a work in progress and will probably never be finished

After reassembling the laptop it does not boot. The green leds are blinking for some seconds and then it is shuttíng off. When shorting the pins again, it is cycling between leds blinking and shutting off.

Starting without HD, CD and Battery does not help.

Taking another Mainboard from eBay has the same effect.

It seems that one part except the Mainboard has suffered.

Has anyone experienced this issue and solved it?

Thanks for any help.

Klaus

After reassembling the laptop it does not boot. The green leds are blinking for some seconds and then it is shuttíng off. When shorting the pins again, it is cycling between leds blinking and shutting off.

Starting without HD, CD and Battery does not help.

Taking another Mainboard from eBay has the same effect.

It seems that one part except the Mainboard has suffered.

Has anyone experienced this issue and solved it?

Thanks for any help.

Klaus


I didn't think there was anything else but the mainboard, if that has been replaced and the problem persists it's possible that you have bought a mainboard in the same condition as yours. Unless the PSU has gone faulty as well.

Thank you Ididmyc600 for quick reply.

I think i must take a working C610 in order to test the parts.

First let me say thanks to everyone here who is providing such a great service to Dell laptop owners.

I have just recently purchased a Dell C600 laptop from e-bay with an Admin password (still waiting to receive the laptop). It has a 1 GHz CPU, so it may actually be a C610, will have to wait until I actually receive the laptop to confirm the model.

Anyway, I have read through all of the posts here and hope that you may be able to help me in bypassing the Admin password. The picture on e-bay showed the BIOS screen, so I don't think there is a BIOS password. There was no hard drive in it, so a hard drive password shouldn't be an issue either (at least from what I have read here). There was no CD-ROM, only the floppy drive, so the files needed would have to work from a floppy.

Paragon33, I have sent you an e-mail from my yahoo account as per your requests in the earlier posts. Whenever you happen to get a chance to send out the next mailing of the files, could you please add me to the list?

Thank you...
Al

First let me say thanks to everyone here who is providing such a great service to Dell laptop owners.

I have just recently purchased a Dell C600 laptop from e-bay with an Admin password (still waiting to receive the laptop). It has a 1 GHz CPU, so it may actually be a C610, will have to wait until I actually receive the laptop to confirm the model.

Anyway, I have read through all of the posts here and hope that you may be able to help me in bypassing the Admin password. The picture on e-bay showed the BIOS screen, so I don't think there is a BIOS password. There was no hard drive in it, so a hard drive password shouldn't be an issue either (at least from what I have read here). There was no CD-ROM, only the floppy drive, so the files needed would have to work from a floppy.

Paragon33, I have sent you an e-mail from my yahoo account as per your requests in the earlier posts. Whenever you happen to get a chance to send out the next mailing of the files, could you please add me to the list?

Thank you...
Al


The difference between a C600 and C610
C600 has a 1gig CPU and ensonoiq sound
C610 has a 1.1 gig CPU and a different sound /Video chip

I know, I have both of them

Paragons excellent files are found here
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/judslat/paragon/

He has updates though so you can make a start with these.

Jud

Several forum users have written to me with problems arising from Laptops having just the Admin/Configure Setup Passwords, but the previous owner had disabled everything but the Harddrive before setting that password. That would necessitate using the shorting method to clear, as it seems resetting BIOS defaults by disconnecting the CMOS Battery did not reenable the peripheal drives.
Being a lazy sort, i came up with a way using a DOS bootable only Notebook drive, but it is involved. I have made one of these myself and once made correctly, it is a foolproof way to run the DST software to delete and then reset your Service Tag. You need an 8.5mm/9.5 mm High Notebook Harddrive(any capacity), a W98 Boot Disk(ONLY; a W-ME or later will not do), a 2.5" to 3.5" IDE Adapter, and a PC with W98SE/Me/2k/XP and a Floppy drive; the PC should have the DST.Zip file on its desktop still zipped, you also need either Compressed Folders or Winzip(trialware) to extract the contents when it is time.
You first plug the harddrive into the adapter, then open up the PC and disconnect your Harddrive(s) from the Primary IDE cable, then connect the little NB drive and adapter to the IDE cable. Put your W98 boot disk in the floppy drive and boot into DOS to an A:\Prompt, TYpe/enter FDISK and answer the large disk support question Y. When Fdisk Options comes up, select 4 and see if the disk is bare "No Partitions Defined". If bare , Esc back to Fdisk Options. If partitions and or format are present, also Esc back to Fdisk Options. With the latter condition, Select 3 and delete all partition(s). If it shows more than one, Start with the Logical Drive first, then the Extended DOS Partition and finally the Primary DOS Partition. Then check with Fdisk Option 4 again and you should get No Partitions defined. If you have any Non-DOS Partitions, delete those also.
Now reboot still with the boot disk, Type/enter FDISK, answer (Y) when queried,and again return to Fdisk Options . Select Fdisk Option 1 and create a PRIMARY DOS ACTIVE partition for the whole drive . ESC out when finished and then reboot again. When the A:\ Prompt comes up, this time type and enter format C:/s (note the space).
When the format finishes, shut down the PC, disconnect the notebook drive, reconnect the PC's Harddrive, now disconnect your optical drive that is Master in the Secondary IDE Channel and connect the notebook harddrive and adapter in its place. Now boot the computer up to Windows and Unzip/Extract All the DST .Zip file with that prepped NB Harddrive as the destination for the contents. When that is complete, remove the NB harddrive and reconnect your PC's optical drives and then close it up.
Remove the adapter from the NB Harddrive, put it into the caddy for your laptop in place of the primary Hardddrive, change the blade IDE adapter plug from one drive to the other and then plug it into your laptop. Turn it on and it should boot into DOS and prompt you to Change your Service Tag. DO so and the password should be gone afterwards.
With this method, the boot order is not important since the harddrive can not be disabled in the boot order and even with the other drives enabled, unless they have bootable disks in them , the harddrive will always boot first.
This is a lot, but once made, I kept mine for future use. I used an IBM 2.16gb 9.5mm DKLA-22160 for mine. I even use it for BIOS Flashes and then delete the executables after; it is a far safer way of doing BIOS flashes than the Harddrive method which starts under windows and then reboots into DOS to finish

Dave

The difference between a C600 and C610
C600 has a 1gig CPU and ensonoiq sound
C610 has a 1.1 gig CPU and a different sound /Video chip

I know, I have both of them

Paragons excellent files are found here
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/judslat/paragon/

He has updates though so you can make a start with these.

Jud
Jud, it would be a good idea if you could include my latest POST on your site. This problem is fairly common with
Ex-Gov't/Military machines

Hi Paragon,

As always , happy to oblige, I will add the text tonite, And again my hats off to you for your input.

See ya later

Done that, I have added a link for the 2.5-3.5 adaptor, let me know via email if that's the one you mean, I have the cable version that plugs into the IDE socket, if its wrong let us have a link for a place that sells it and I will edit it.

well first of all I need to thank everyone in helping out..I was able to get my lost bios password with latitude.exe and after reading a bunch of posts I figured out how it works....now I have another prolem..I cant delete the latitude program from my hard drive..it locked up to explorer.exe and cant rename it or anything else...? help...what can I do?
Thanks guys

i have a dell inspiron 1150 with admin password on it.Is there any way i can get hold of that software that you have?thanks!

Will this work for a dell latitude c 400 :bounce:

well first of all I need to thank everyone in helping out..I was able to get my lost bios password with latitude.exe and after reading a bunch of posts I figured out how it works....now I have another prolem..I cant delete the latitude program from my hard drive..it locked up to explorer.exe and cant rename it or anything else...? help...what can I do?
Thanks guys


What OS are you running?
Start in Safe mode and delete it there is no reason why it should cause your OS to lock up.

Will this work for a dell latitude c 400 :bounce:


The files you want are here

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/judslat/paragon/

Let us know please if your succesful either by posting in the forum or using the link on the site


Jud

What OS are you running?
Start in Safe mode and delete it there is no reason why it should cause your OS to lock up.
XP pro...already tried that...still wouldnt delete

You may try to delete the file in the DOS-box with "del latitude.exe". the file may have been locked by your AV-Software. Deactivating AV may solve the issue too.

ok fixed it using a program called moveon...freeware..worked like a charm..thanks guys

Well, I finally received my laptop that I bought from eBay. It is in pretty decent shape and is indeed a C600 model. Thanks Ididmyc600. I also downloaded the files from your website. The laptop has a 7 alpha-numeric character Service Tag (1P87Z01).

When I extracted the DST.zip files to a floppy, my Norton Anti-Virus stopped the latitude.exe file and said it was the 'hacker' virus.

When I go into the BIOS, it says the Admin Password is locked until the Configure Setup field is enabled. In order to enable the Configure Setup field, I need to enter the Administrator Password.

When I try booting from the DST floppy disk, the SVCTAG program shows me my Service Tag, then asks if I want to erase the service tag. So, I click on Y and the program errors stating the battery must be installed and the ROM update was not performed.

Unfortunately, the laptop came with a battery that would not hold a charge (I knew this when I bought it, so it is not a surprise). Does this mean that I need to go the shorting pins route or could someone provide me with the Admin Password for the Service Tag (1P87Z01) (one - pee - eight - seven - zee - zero - one)?

<edit>
One thing I am trying with the battery is to throw it in the freezer for a couple of days, then try recharging it. This has worked on other Lithium Ion batteries that were pretty much dead. Will let you know how it works with this battery.
</edit>

Thanks again...
Al

hi,
have downloaded the file from your paragons web, but still could not figure out how to get master password.

My service tag: 2MFTM51-595B.

can anybody help me

Hi,
If you read the site properly, you would have read that the password generator does not work with the service tags ending in 595B,

Please post back and tell us what password you are trying to defeat so we can advise your best course of action

Jud

When I extracted the DST.zip files to a floppy, my Norton Anti-Virus stopped the latitude.exe file and said it was the 'hacker' virus.
Al

I just opened the DST floppy zip and there is no file called latitude.exe in it..?


i Just checked , and the master password.exe on the site does not have any viruses showing up when run on my machine, (also running NAV), I did have 2 of these files one was called latitude.exe and that one did show as the hacker virus so i did not upload that one, only the master password generator got uploaded,


As for providing you with a service tag, the master password generator will only work with the full service tag, mine is #8G1T90J-595b .
So I enter 8g1t90j595b and I get a password but it wont work as it ends in 595B and the software will not work with tags ending in 595B

If you have the full tag and it doesn't end in 595B then use the masterpassword generator

I didn't know you had to have a working battery but I tried it and you do, perhaps paragon could shed some light on this and see if there is anything you can do, if not you will have to try and get it working enough to do it.

PARAGON you around ???



Jud

I just opened the DST floppy zip and there is no file called latitude.exe in it..?


i Just checked , and the master password.exe on the site does not have any viruses showing up when run on my machine, (also running NAV), I did have 2 of these files one was called latitude.exe and that one did show as the hacker virus so i did not upload that one, only the master password generator got uploaded,


As for providing you with a service tag, the master password generator will only work with the full service tag, mine is #8G1T90J-595b .
So I enter 8g1t90j595b and I get a password but it wont work as it ends in 595B and the software will not work with tags ending in 595B

If you have the full tag and it doesn't end in 595B then use the masterpassword generator

I didn't know you had to have a working battery but I tried it and you do, perhaps paragon could shed some light on this and see if there is anything you can do, if not you will have to try and get it working enough to do it.

PARAGON you around ???



Jud
Yes, but I am as puzzled as you about the request for a battery, as I have done several boards with just a Floppy drive, External Keyboard, External monitor and AC Adapter for peripheals. I have also of course used the HDD method described in my Post a couple of days back in place of the floppy.
Your info on the Latitude.EXE and Latitude_MasterPW files is right on. Neither one will work on the -595B and later
-A95B Passwords

Yes, but I am as puzzled as you about the request for a battery, as I have done several boards with just a Floppy drive, External Keyboard, External monitor and AC Adapter for peripheals. I have also of course used the HDD method described in my Post a couple of days back in place of the floppy.
Your info on the Latitude.EXE and Latitude_MasterPW files is right on. Neither one will work on the -595B and later
-A95B Passwords

I was puzzled as well, but I tried it with a HD I built using your guide, and yes it does say "battery not detected" then fails to reset the tag.

Mind you I never ran asset.com from a dos prompt as a single program, do you think it may make a difference, i'll pop off and try it on a C610 I have at the moment, will edit this post with the results.

Ok I can reset the tag on a C610 with the battery removed so it must be a C600 issue , however if I run asset.com (on the C600) from the HD with the command

asset /s 8G1T90J then it beeps and says "error cannot change tag, ensure it is in the right format and the SETUP password is disabled (it is and it is ).

Jud

Jud, I did a C600 without a battery, so it is something on that particular board or series of boards. The C600 board I cleared was a 1D197 and was the object photoed for the 2 pictures in my Additions file; it had the minimum for peripheals connected

Jud, How large a file will your Website handle for downloads? I have a copy of the latest(as far as I know) Dell BIOS, Diagnostics and Service Tag CD, version A27. I used the files and executables on it to update the DST.zip file you have included on your website, but was not able to do that to the DST-CDR-ISO file. That causes that method to error out on late machines. This CD does not do that, but it is 81mb large, and way too big for Email Attachments. I could send you a CDR copy by mail if you would like for your use and perhaps include it on the site. I get quite a few reports from users about the CDR made from the ISO file erroring out on the later 2004-2006 models.
Dave

Thanks folks for everything you are doing. Hope the following helps you.

When I run the SVCTAG program it comes up with the following:

*****************************************************

SVCTAG: version 3.3

Copyright (c) 1997-2003 Dell.
All right reserved.

... a dell message about usage ...

System name: Latitude 600
System ID: 0x00b1
BIOS Rev: A16

Current Service Tag: 1P87Z01
Note: This action will erase the asset, owner and service tag.
You may use the ASSET.COM program to set the asset and owner tag.
Do you want to erase (and/or change) this service tag (Y or N)?

*****************************************************

When I type Y, I get the following message in a nice blue screen with red error message box...

*****************************************************


Dell Portables EEPROM Erase Program - Version 3.6

Verify system configurtaion.

Erasing EEPROM.

ERROR
Battery must be installed.

Press power switch to reboot.
ROM update not performed.

*****************************************************

When the program exits, it says EE-CPA.exe: Error 0

Al

Al, are you using the CDR made from the ISO file or one of the DST.zip methods?

I am using the DST.zip file to create a bootable floppy disk. I was wondering about the CMOS battery being dead, could that be the problem?

Thanks...
Al

Things are getting worth with that C610 (not booting after paperclip, CAPS-, NUM- and SHIFT-LEDs on for 3 seconds, then shutting off).

I copied the 24C02 chip from a working C610, but it does not solve my case (soldering and controlling the file by a technician). Next step is copying the BIOS-chip.

Additionally the working C610 is now shutting off when the HD-MasterPW has been typed in (of course the correct one). When typing F2-Key or F12-Key on start the display is shortly showing 'Entering Setup...' or 'Entering Boot Menu...' and then the system is powering off. With the battery plugged in the the battery-LED is blinking once green and three times orange. I did check the power supply, it is OK.

Does anyone know what the blinking code means and why it is shutting off

Thanks

Never mind about the CMOS battery. I just checked it with a volt meter and it is putting out 7+ volts...

Al

Jud, How large a file will your Website handle for downloads? I have a copy of the latest(as far as I know) Dell BIOS, Diagnostics and Service Tag CD, version A27. I used the files and executables on it to update the DST.zip file you have included on your website, but was not able to do that to the DST-CDR-ISO file. That causes that method to error out on late machines. This CD does not do that, but it is 81mb large, and way too big for Email Attachments. I could send you a CDR copy by mail if you would like for your use and perhaps include it on the site. I get quite a few reports from users about the CDR made from the ISO file erroring out on the later 2004-2006 models.
Dave

Errmm I have access to 2 websites each I think holds 55meg so in total I should be able to upload and split it across the two

I will email my address to you

Jud, I did a C600 without a battery, so it is something on that particular board or series of boards. The C600 board I cleared was a 1D197 and was the object photoed for the 2 pictures in my Additions file; it had the minimum for peripheals connected

Dave Where will I find that number on mine? Maybe we could get a list of boards it works on and doesn't work on.

Paragon
you helping everyone please send me the detailed pdf file on email removed it will be a great help for me
thanks

Paragon
you helping everyone please send me the detailed pdf file on email removed it will be a great help for me
thanks

Hi Jabz,

All the files you need can be found here

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/judslat/paragon/

Regards

Jud

Great News!! I was able to clear the Admin Password on my C600 using the floppy disk version in DST.zip. The program would not work though unless both a working battery and AC charger were connected and plugged in.

I went down to a local used computer store with my laptop and asked if they had a C600 battery I could use to test the laptop I purchased off eBay. That is when I found I that the laptop also needed to be plugged in for the program to work. Once that was done, the program worked like an absolute charm. Now I know the laptop works off a battery as well as the charging circuits function properly. Verified this by watching the battery screen in the BIOS. With no charger, it said the battery was discharging. Once the charger was connected, the screen said the battery was charging.

I already purchased a 40 GByte used hard drive and am waiting on the caddy and cd-rom to arrive.

Thanks once again for all of your help. If there is anything I can do in return, just let me know.

Al

Great News!! I was able to clear the Admin Password on my C600 using the floppy disk version in DST.zip. The program would not work though unless both a working battery and AC charger were connected and plugged in.

I went down to a local used computer store with my laptop and asked if they had a C600 battery I could use to test the laptop I purchased off eBay. That is when I found I that the laptop also needed to be plugged in for the program to work. Once that was done, the program worked like an absolute charm. Now I know the laptop works off a battery as well as the charging circuits function properly. Verified this by watching the battery screen in the BIOS. With no charger, it said the battery was discharging. Once the charger was connected, the screen said the battery was charging.

I already purchased a 40 GByte used hard drive and am waiting on the caddy and cd-rom to arrive.

Thanks once again for all of your help. If there is anything I can do in return, just let me know.

Al

#
Just the satisfaction of knowing we can help is enough....

Jud

Dave Where will I find that number on mine? Maybe we could get a list of boards it works on and doesn't work on.
Jud, the board type number is on a paper strip by the RAM slots and there will also be a REV # close by also.

hi folks, am very happy, have just bypassed the bios through paperclip, but now the problem is that i cant access the harddisk...any happy..thanks big people..Paragon33 you the greatest..special thx go to you my lord!

If you do put together a list of boards, perhaps this will help. I pulled the memory board cover and removed the 1 memory board and found the following.

1) Close by JDIM1 and the reserve batter connector, there is a light blue paper strip with CH3E on it.

2) Also by JDIM1, there is a white label with DS/N CN-07C456-48155-1AA-B821 Rev A02.

3) Also printed on the board by JDIM1 is DATM6BMBAH9 REV H3E.

4) By JDIM2, there is a white label with DS/N TW-00G115-12800-1AA-B821 Rev A00.

Thanks...
Al

If you do put together a list of boards, perhaps this will help. I pulled the memory board cover and removed the 1 memory board and found the following.

1) Close by JDIM1 and the reserve batter connector, there is a light blue paper strip with CH3E on it.

2) Also by JDIM1, there is a white label with DS/N CN-07C456-48155-1AA-B821 Rev A02.

3) Also printed on the board by JDIM1 is DATM6BMBAH9 REV H3E.

4) By JDIM2, there is a white label with DS/N TW-00G115-12800-1AA-B821 Rev A00.

Thanks...
Al
Al. I do not know how, but you have 2 different board numbers, a 0G115 Rev.2 and a 7C456 Rev.0. Perhaps some refurber recycled a part without removing a sticker.

Al. I do not know how, but you have 2 different board numbers, a 0G115 Rev.2 and a 7C456 Rev.0. Perhaps some refurber recycled a part without removing a sticker.

Bu**er , now how I am gonna find out which one wont work with the current DST??

I have DS/N TW-01F902-12800-1BR-D154 REV A01

i'll add a subnote to the DST Zip section mentioning the battery issue and see if I can get people to submit their board details if it fails.

But in the meanwhile if it happens to you can you post here, thanks

i can help anyone with this issue PASSWORD SECURITY CHIPS dell laptop

you can email me at

email removed

i can help anyone with this issue PASSWORD SECURITY CHIPS dell laptop

you can email me at

thomasnguyen94402 yahoo com


So can we .....in case you missed the first 28 pages of the thread.


Talking of that, I just found the Service Manual for the C500/600 on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DELL-LATITUDE-C500-C600-SERVICE-REPAIR-MANUAL_W0QQitemZ8767511502QQcategoryZ177QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewIt em

How can people do this, the Manual is freely available for download from Dells own website,

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/latc600/en/index.htm

It has the user guide, service manual and pin assignments,

Right just off to add the link to the site



Jud

the pdf file is an older one, but it´s copyrighted and written by dellpass and not the work of you or paragon , so please don´t provide it as yours.
The idea of shorting the EEProm chip is in the public domain, but the .pdf file is not; therefore, I will no longer provide it, but will give the folks who contact me the link to dellpass instead. I will continue to provide MY Additions file, the 2 DST files and the 2 info files for their use for free.

There should be a jumper in the dell's motherboard where you can be able to reset the CMOS, no need to take out the Battery. Resseting the CMOS let's you get inside again to the BIOS.

Also try to find if you can get acces to the TECHNICAL MANUAL or TECHNICAL REFERENCE MANUAL for that Dell laptop. Most of the times these companies spread these PDF documents for an economical charge but if you keep on looking sure that you will maybe find one free or copyright free.


thanx a lot, i tried the jumper and the battery but no joy. then i downloaded the technical reference manual for dell laptop, found the epprom shorted pins 3 & 6 it took a while but in the end it worked, HURRAY! got my laptop working again.