BIOS Password

Laptops in general have much better hardware security than PCs. Some of them even come with fingerprint reader build in.

Most laptops come with a very strong BIOS password capability that locks up the hardware and makes the laptop completely unusable. This is the password that has to be entered before the operating system loads, usually on a black screen a few seconds after the laptop is started.

Of course BIOS password can be set on a PC too, but there it is stored together with the other BIOS settings – date, time, hard disk size, etc. It is very easy to reset the BIOS settings (and the password) on a PC – usually there is a jumper near the BIOS battery on the motherboard that needs to be moved from connecting pins 1+2 to pins 2+3 for a few seconds and than moved back to pins 1+2. Next time the PC is started it will alert you “… BIOS settings invalid… Defaults loaded… Press F1 to continue…” or something similar, and…. the password is gone!

However most laptops store the BIOS password in a special chip, sometimes even hidden under the CPU, that is not affected when the rest of the BIOS settings are reset. This makes the removal of a BIOS password on a laptop almost impossible. The only option in most cases is to replace the chip which is quite expensive and risky procedure and, of course, not supported by the manufacturers.

Some manufacturers (like Dell) can generate a “master password” for a particular laptop (from their service tag) if sufficient proof of ownership is provided. Others (like IBM) would advise replacing the laptop’s motherboard (very expensive). On some old laptops (4 – 5 years or older) the BIOS password can still be reset relatively easy, usually by shorting two solder points on the motherboard or by plugging a special plug in the printer port, etc.

In almost all cases on newer laptops it is either a big hassle, expensive or even impossible to reset the BIOS password, making it a very good way of protecting your laptop from unauthorized use.

However what makes your computer exactly yours are your own files, documents, emails, pictures, etc. They are all stored on the hard drive. So, even if your laptop has a BIOS password that locks it up and makes it completely unusable to anyone that doesn’t know it, your hard drive can still be removed from the laptop and connected to another computer, and your files retrieved quite easily.

97 Comments

  • #97 by shane September 2, 2010 at: 12:54 am

    help please i have a asus m6n with password protect cant boot to anything yet will try usb floppy, any help cracking it with software?
    thanks

  • #96 by kid September 1, 2010 at: 6:21 am

    I have a dell latitude d430 #HCHDMD1-595B, if anyone can help unlock it would be great. email at kiddk1@gmail.com thanks

  • #95 by kam August 28, 2010 at: 8:54 am

    i have dell inspiron 1525 with
    service tag: H55RK3J-595B
    can anyone help me get my master system password.
    thanks.

  • #94 by Hu Da August 27, 2010 at: 1:16 pm

    I have a Dell inspiron 1420
    service tag is 85SFQG1-595B
    Can someone get me a password please?

  • #93 by Lajoy Lightfoot August 25, 2010 at: 7:30 pm

    If anyone needs a bios password for Dell -595B, email me your service tag and i’ll send the password

    llightfoot83@yahoo.com

  • #92 by Linda August 24, 2010 at: 9:30 am

    I don’t get where to find my bios password 2a7b-595b-a95b
    i need help with the passcard.
    and master password
    I’m new at this.

  • #91 by Jason Smith August 21, 2010 at: 7:03 am

    Easy way to get Dell Hard Drive and bios master password

    Just go to http://www.mastermindit.biz/freedellbios.html

    Email your model and service tag and they email back your bios master password and or HDD password for your Dell computer. Free but donations are encouraged

  • #90 by zulfiqar August 17, 2010 at: 11:43 pm

    dear i have some problem plz give me solve my problem i have dx 7500 micro tower computer i wann bios password create in my system but how I create .

    thnx

  • #89 by kAWSAR August 17, 2010 at: 8:31 am

    Hi

    I have a Dell Inspiron mini 10 notebook (I HAVE LOST BIOS PASSWORD)

    service tag 8LDS1L1

    PLZ HELP ME TO UNLOCK

  • #88 by Keith Metoyer August 13, 2010 at: 7:37 pm

    I chool jut started and thi couldnt have happened at worser moment. I have a Windows Vita Home Premium OEMAct It also says it an Acer 5315 series. So email me do whatever I just need that freakin pasword. Empire8keith@yahoo and hotmail.com i on facebook and xbox live: keith rpg7 just help me out anyone