another easy way would be to just see what kind of bios it has and get the bios password reset program for it.
I had this problem with my gateway when i first got it. they wanted me to send it in and pay them 1500.00 for a new chip. I called them back the next day and ripped them a new hole for not telling me about the program.
The insisted the program could cause damage, but i have used probably a few dozen times since with diff computers and models and no problems yet.
