BIOS Pwd Help

Hey guys,

Ive started working for a new company and they have a notebook that they have been unable to use since the previous employee past away. The notebook is a fairly big asset and the reason they cannot use it; It asks for a password prior to booting.

The Message:

Quote:

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This computer system, #FX4FN1S-595B, is protected by a password authentication system. You cannot access the data on this computer without the correct password. Please type in the system or administration password and press <enter>

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Computer Details:
- Dell XPS M2010
- Bios is MXP061 Rev. A05
- Service Tag is FX4FN1S

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Firstly, Is this the bios password or is it some other encryption software that has been installed? My research suggests from the message that it is a generic Dell prompt done through the BIOS.

I have removed the battery and left overnight but this has had no effect. I have also obtained a service manual but it does not show any jumpers or methods for removing or resetting the password.

I have a Dell manufaturer disc that is meant to reprogramme the service tag and fix the problem but it will not boot any media prior to the password being entered.

Dell have been very unhelpful (no surprise there) even though my research tells me Dell can generate a master password based on the service tag.

CAN ANYONE HELP?> I can provide as much information as you need, i have the machine in front of me and have no problems opening it up to whack a few jumpers or remove any chips that will help.

This link seemed to be the closest i could get to help (not just page 19);
http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic50281-19.html

Thanks in advance

CTO

Also, Having removed the BIOS battery i have reset the defaults and the boot order to 1) Floppy 2) HDD 3) CD

Then after removing the HDD i tried to boot to CD but it still requests a password prior to booting from any other media. So definitely cannot boot from disc without password. Dammit.

CTO

Some more helpful links but none for my particular model;
http://aaaronmiller.wordpress.com/20...latitude-d610/
http://www.download.centre4service.com
http://web.archive.org/web/200404290...dell/dell.html

They all seem to point to an eeprom chip called;

24co2 or 24u05 or 24c164 or 24LC16B - Its just a matter of finding it.

Mainboard schematics for my model would be brilliant!


CTO

Dell notebooks are tough like that I believe if you can prove that the notebook belongs to you/your company and you give them the system number they can give you the over-ride password. If not all you can do is replace the chip that stores the password :-/

Well i have stripped the notebook down to all of its little bits and pieces but i still am unable to find the specific chip *cries* I am about to pull the MB out and check on the underside but failing that i will cry some more and then put it all back together and give dell another shot.

Cheers

Is it the Laptop? Or the Data on the Drive? That is so much of an Asset to your company.. I'm going to go out on a limb and say its probably the data on the drive. Since it sounds like you've already taken the laptop apart why not just put the drive in an external drive case and plug it into another computer... bada bing bada bang... You have your mission critical data.


as far as the laptop goes... you can try to deal with dell to get the bios password reset... good luck ;)

Yes, it has an EEPROM chip that is holding the password. First question is did the deceased guy set a password............ or is it the default, which I believe is Dell

Other than that, you might try combinations of his name and initials or just try password. :p

I don't know that model so I don't know which chip it is using. I have had success in the past with shorting out some of the pins with a paperclip, but I wouldn't know which ones or even if it would work on that model.

I have a generator, but it is for older models with the 5 digit Service Tags :(

Your best bet would still be Dell IMHO.

Dell hd passwords are disabled by default.

The guy had to set it up either in windows or in the bios, so the password wont be any default like DELL.

This isn't the hard drive password, it is the BIOS password and is stored on an EEPROM chip.

We know that because CTO posted this:

Quote:

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Then after removing the HDD i tried to boot to CD but it still requests a password prior to booting from any other media.

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:)

Yes, Dell can generate this. however most of the front line phone techs do not have the ability to do so. you will have to speak to a suporvisor. they need this info "This computer system, #FX4FN1S-595B, is protected by a password authentication system" and they will have to verify the company name.

Quote:

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Is it the Laptop? Or the Data on the Drive? That is so much of an Asset to your company.. I'm going to go out on a limb and say its probably the data on the drive. Since it sounds like you've already taken the laptop apart why not just put the drive in an external drive case and plug it into another computer... bada bing bada bang... You have your mission critical data.

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The Data on the computer is not important, it is the use of the lappy that is the asset. :)

Quote:

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Yes, it has an EEPROM chip that is holding the password. First question is did the deceased guy set a password............ or is it the default, which I believe is Dell

Other than that, you might try combinations of his name and initials or just try password.

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Hehe, good suggestion but have tried ALL of the seemingly obvious passwords. That would have been better than opening it up at all :) so yes, the id10t did set a password.

Quote:

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you will have to speak to a suporvisor. they need this info "This computer system, #FX4FN1S-595B, is protected by a password authentication system" and they will have to verify the company name

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It is not registered to the company with Dell (Maybe its not registered at all) but in the circumstance it is registered in the ex-ex-employee [badump ching] do you think Dell would accept a company letterhead saying "This guy was an employee but the property belongs to the company etc" ???

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Looks like it will have to go through Dell. Thanks for the input guys =)

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In regards to the Chip, ive already stated what model numbers were those particular chips - The brand was also ATMEL, which i only found 1 ATMEL chip on the entire board. However shorting the 3 & 6 pins did not work. :(

Thanks for the input once again

CTO

OK Sport, let's try something completely different? :D

Sat on the shelf in my library is a copy of the "Australian National Companies and Securities Legislation" ............. an absolute must have for anyone in the UK who is in the least bit cool :cool:

I know that somewhere in this bulky tome there is a bit that deals with the retention period for corporate financial records.

As this is a relatively new machine, your company should still have the invoice, and possibly the official order.

It is possible that this bloke went and bought the machine himself, and claimed for it through his expenses. In that case just look for a month with an extra A$5,000 or so in it, and that is where you will find the receipt.

There has to be a receipt because that is what you would need to make a claim under the guarantee? A credit card voucher would not be adequate.

Also, such receipts would normally have the machine's serial number on it.

You can then write to Dell as suggested with proof that the Company paid for the item, and therefore owns it. ;)

I just thought that I haven't spoken to my mates at Hungerford, Hancock & Offner for years, which leads me to another line of approach.

This company is required to produce accounts, and these accounts have to be audited. I am sure that the external auditors will confirm that the item is included in the conpany's fixed assets register, and belongs to it.

Just a couple of thoughts.

Nihil,

Im not sure on the particulars as ive only recently started here. I believe there was an agreement made that the company would purchase the notebook for company use (and to remain company property) but it was for his use only and he went out and purchased the notebook and was reimbursed.

All this makes the paperwork blurry but im fairly sure Dell cant refuse a legit request..... its just all the beauracracy in the way :p

I will let you guys know when it is sorted and the road in which i got there..

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Also, another person has said the password is a "Dogs name" .... They got this from the "hint".... which I would think is the XP logon Screen........ So then who has set the bios password in between???? Grrr :p


CTO