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Power on BIOS password doesnt accept the password that it was configured with?!?!
Hello everyone.
My father purchased a DELL Inspiron 1100 a few years back. Considering he traveled with it I recommended a power on bios password to keep prying eyes from getting in just in case he lost it or got stolen.
A few months back he told me that the power on password no longer works, he has no idea how to change any of that stuff or even navigate the bios so i know it wasnt him who changed it. So after sitting in my apartment for months knowing that it would be a pain in the rear I am trying to get it running for him again.
How can I go about getting this password reset? I know on desktops I can just switch a jumper but dont think laptops work the same for security reason.
I can provide proof of ownership.
Thank you for the help.
SlamX
950 Posts
1
October 23rd, 2009 12:00
Need to clarify a little exactly what password he set. The bios password usually allows the OS to boot but won't let you into the bios to change settings. Some laptops that use a "power on bios password" will set a hard drive password. If the hard drive password was the one set then you are out of luck. Dell cannot/will not assist with hard drive passwords. They are nearly impossible to crack anyway.
There are services and software that can remove the bios password and Dell will even do it with proof of ownership which you have.
This link may also help you.
http://www.technibble.com/how-to-bypass-or-remove-a-bios-password/
ceezr1997
12 Posts
0
October 23rd, 2009 15:00
thanks for the reply.
the password is the power on password, you see the dell boot screen and then immediately followed by the screen prompting for a password.
I set it myself and I know (99.99% sure, it's been a few years) that i set the power on and not an HD password. The reason I didnt set the hd pass is cause I know that if the laptop dies you cant connect the HD to an adapter to retrieve data.
It just stopped recognizing it outta the blue, now he has a doorstop.
So the only option is calling dell.
JackUMC
14 Posts
0
October 23rd, 2009 19:00
Make sure CAPS lock and NUM lock are not active.