Hard Disk Password
It is not a very well known fact, but all hard disks have a very strong hardware password capability build in. This password is usually stored both in a chip on the HD controller (the printed circuit board on the hard disk) and on the hard disk itself in a special hidden sector.
Setting this password will make the hard disk completely unusable to anyone that doesn’t know it. And not only on your computer, but on any computer.
A lot of newer laptops will set the HD password together with the BIOS password, completely locking all the hardware.
The hard disk manufacturers are unable to unlock a password protected hard disk, as there aren’t any “secret” master passwords build into the firmware. Even swapping the controller of the password-protected hard disk with exactly the same controller from an unprotected HD will not remove the protection on most disks, as the password (together with most of the firmware) is also stored on the hard disk itself.
The only way of retrieving any files from a password protected hard disk without knowing the password is to send it to a data recovery company for unlocking, but not all data recovery companies could or would unlock a password protected HD.
In this time of rising identity theft, protecting your personal data by locking your hard disk with a password is indeed a good idea. The downside is that when the HD eventually malfunctions it will be harder or even impossible to retrieve any files from it. So, the first rule of using a computer applies here in full strength – “Your data is only as good as your latest backup”!
how to set the pass word for hard drive in vista?
Discovering betas softwares, Windows Vista crash in my laptop, when I intent reinstall was so dificulty, press any bottom, DEL,ESC F2 and TAB, untill it run the installation, but when I rebbot, appeared a screen with mesage “ENTER PASSWORD”, before appeared “HD DISABLED”.
Since, I cannot acess the resouces of F2 page, wich I was using to enable hd read DVD in first place,
to read end install VISTA DVD and install it…
What can I do for disabled this password requirement that disable F2 buttom and administrative services?
I have a tropix laptop but it has an HDD password which I forgot. How can I unlock the computer? someone help out there. Thanks.
Samuel.
I set an HD password really by accident and I can’t figure out how to remove it. I do know the password I just dont like typing it in everytime I boot up and don’t need it. How the hell do I remove this thing?
hi am using lg w4 laptop … one day after installing one software my windows get corrupted .and after tat it was asking Hard Disk password… n some time it was telling hard disk drive not connected… could anyone help me in this regards…….
To Matt,
Your “frozen password” problem is an easy fix. Turn your machine off, turn it back on, and go straight into the bios without letting the OS boot. Passwords are frozen after a warm boot, but not after a cold boot.
To the author of the article: This isn’t bad advice, as most thieves are morons. However, this security can be defeated by a number of methods which are available on the net, and the vendors of these products are only asking one question, “did the credit card charge go through ?”.
I have a lot of sensitive information on a laptop which lives in my car, and which is obviously at risk. I do have the HDD password feature turned on, but it is only one part of a multi-layer solution which includes encryption, hardware keys, storing of certain data, encrypted, “in the cloud”, and a remote drive wipe capability.
The rule is, if a sophisticated attacker gets physical possession of your machine, eventually they will have possession of your data. Of course if it is just some scumbag stealing your laptop, they aren’t much of a threat, but the guy who buys it from them for $20 very well might be.
HI THERE A FRIEND GOT ACER LAPTOP AND CANT REMEMEMBER WINDOWS PASSWORD OR DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE. SO I WHEN INTO BIOS TO CHANGE BOOT CONGIG TO CD FROM HARDDRIVE BOOT UP. BUT I CAN’T CHANGE BOOT ORDER BECAUSE IT SAYS HDD PASSWORD FROZEN! WHAT CAN I DO FOR MY FRIEND AS HE DOES NOT WANT TO LOSE IS BUSINESS INFORMATION ON HARD DRIVE? ALSO HE NEVER SETUP A HDD PASSWORD IN BIOS. IT JUST SAYING HDD PASSWORD FROZEN! NOT GOOD
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i have a gateway laptop that a friend gave me..it worked fine than one day it ask for a HDD password..i do not know it an neither does he..is there any way to unlock the password??..an also i can not find my model of gateway laptop anywhere..on the back it says GATEWAY 7340…any help would be apprciated
I good way is to use this HIren software. Works like magic……
i have problem with my note book
when i turn on , alway display hardisk security and when i entered he display please input password for fujitsu MHZ2320BH G2
as information my note book is LENOVO L3000
would you to help me how to removed that problem because the password i m not remember again thanks before