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”!
data recovery is very very expensive so do make regular backups of important files.:.
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Hello Graphic Design Brisbane.
Desktop normally do not have this option ! None of my 8 machines have it. It is a laptop option as they are stolen often enough. At least the data is fully protected.
A great day to you. JP.
Hi there, I have the same issue as Bearspa – is there a solution?
it’ very simple tack one big stone then het the laptop place of hard drive then your HDD pass word autometically open
Mark, good morning.
As there is quite a bit of confusion on “password”, can you bemore specific and pin down your definition of Windows PW, you have a choice of BIOS HD PW or User PW as set in Windows. there are others too, let us know how you set this PW of yours. Let me say at this moment that if the PW was set from the BIOS screen, your only resource is to place the HD in a like laptop, and hope that it will allow you to input the PW and give you the possibilty to flush it, then it will be all accessible. Let us hope for this last opportunity. I have done this swapping good !
If you go back a few posts of mine here, you will see a URL for the IBM-Hitachi-.pdf where you can educate your find on this total protection. Have fun. JP.
My laptop overheated due to a faulty inoperative fan and after i switched it off and attempted to switch it back on, it refused to power up. In fact, even when plugged into the mains, there are no indicator lights coming on, so I reckon I have fried something somewhere… Anyway, I removed the hdd and converted it to an external hdd using an adapter and usb lead. However, I had a windows password on the hdd and I cannot see any of my data on my user id. I have tried to boot from this external hdd, but on booting, it asks me to select “start windows normally” or “launch repair environment”. Both fail. Is there any means of entering my windows password somewhere to let me access my data? Or do I have to accept that I may have lost everything. Any comments appreciated. Thanks
Andrew, there is quite a lot of misinformation in your post.
A 2.5″ HD uses exactly the same power requirements as a 3.5″, thus it will never “burn” if connected to a Motherboard.
To remove a HD PW you might get any so qualified programme that says it will do it BUT, you still need the PW to remove it and then input none or your own.
That address in the UK is valid but it will cost a lot to get the PW removed.
I have been on this PW quest now for 6 years, there is no solution, it is the ultimate data protection…. only data protection.
Have fun. JP.
Kumara, good morning.
Yep, if you get a new HD, you will be able to use that Thinkpad.
if you need the data, we use this company for password removals on hard drives, not practical unless you need the information though
http://laptoprepairweb.co.uk/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&zenid=4a99d2237d0e37a1cf80c17d7b364dda&keyword=password
but they are good