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”!

315 Comments

  • #315 by dereck January 27, 2012 at: 9:23 pm

    My hd is locked..and i cant access it..any chance you can help me?
    Toshiba Satellite c650 series

  • #314 by chaft January 25, 2012 at: 3:05 pm

    “need help about a toshiba HDD locked it’s MK3263GSXN”
    is there a solution or other details i should give’ t you guys??????

  • #313 by Darlington January 25, 2012 at: 12:30 am

    need help unlocking my Dell Latitude D630 Hard Disk Drive

  • #312 by chaft January 21, 2012 at: 3:01 pm

    need help about a toshiba HDD locked it’s MK3263GSXN

  • #311 by **Christoph** January 17, 2012 at: 6:31 pm

    ReallY could use a blessing of help from my brothers….
    I boned and Locked my HD and Lost a luster of that Grin
    If you can take a sec would be gratefull for help unlocking
    My laptops Master HD passy on the real ty o.O..

    Model : Hitachi HTS543232L9A300
    Firmware : FB4OC40C
    Serial Number : 090308FB2403LPKMGD5B
    Disk Size : 320.0 GB (8.4/137.4/320.0)
    Buffer Size : 7114 KB
    Queue Depth : 32
    Sectors : 625142448
    Rotation Rate : 5400 RPM

  • #310 by Flame January 11, 2012 at: 8:47 pm

    Need help unlocking Toshiba Satellite L755 hdd PLEASE

  • #309 by KLEIN January 10, 2012 at: 3:12 am

    how to unlock harddisk seagate laptop
    Model: ST 960812A
    CT:29A84016CSME24
    HP:395296- 001
    Help

  • #308 by KLEIN January 10, 2012 at: 3:02 am

    Seagate
    CT:29A84016CSME24
    HP:395296-001
    Model:ST 960812A

  • #307 by bryant December 27, 2011 at: 11:55 pm

    Need help unlock my dell n5110 inspirion I called dell they gave me code and it still won’t unlock

  • #306 by john December 8, 2011 at: 7:33 am

    hey my HD is lock and i have no clue how to unlock it can yu plz help