Resetting BIOS passwords on newer laptops
Welcome to the New Laptop BIOS thread!
If you have a computer with a missing BIOS password, you may search the internet for solutions. There are lots of solutions for older laptops, but not for the newer ones. So I want to first summarize the old solutions and then query the community for new answers.
I have the this problem with a Dell Latitude e5520. I buy machines from ebay and rebuild them to distribute to our chapels (it saves a LOT of money). However, I have one with an admin password on the BIOS. There is no way I can complete Dell's change-of-ownership form, so they can't help. There are quite a few people out there in the same position.
When I say "older laptops" I mean laptops that came out before 2011. It is about that time that they started to change. In particular (since I am trying to solve an issue), Dell laptops with a service tag ending in -1DB3 are amoungst the newer models.
For these models, the bios passwords are flashed onto an eeprom chip (or there may be several of them, in fact), so it doesn't do any good to remove the RTC battery and all power to clear the CMOS - it doesn't work. Likewise, there is no jumper that you can move around. And removing all the power and leaving the machine sit for a couple days does not work either - I've tried it.
On this particular machine, the settings in BIOS are not changeable without the password, although it looks like everything is enabled in BIOS, so the computer functions normally and Windows functions normally. I could just send it out like this except that the BIOS is set at version A02 - and I'd really like to update it!
So the password is supposed to prevent theft and improve security. I've taken the machine down to pieces. Right now it's just a working motherboard that functions, but can't be updated. There's nothing to steal or secure; and I'm not a thief anyway.
From my research, here are the ways this can be done:
Now, here is a collection of the best pages on the subject of resetting BIOS passwords.
What I would hope for is for someone to tell me a secure way to do this or point me to a password generator that works. I know that a fellow named Dogbert has figured out how to do this, but he does not release his work for general use.
If you have a computer with a missing BIOS password, you may search the internet for solutions. There are lots of solutions for older laptops, but not for the newer ones. So I want to first summarize the old solutions and then query the community for new answers.
I have the this problem with a Dell Latitude e5520. I buy machines from ebay and rebuild them to distribute to our chapels (it saves a LOT of money). However, I have one with an admin password on the BIOS. There is no way I can complete Dell's change-of-ownership form, so they can't help. There are quite a few people out there in the same position.
When I say "older laptops" I mean laptops that came out before 2011. It is about that time that they started to change. In particular (since I am trying to solve an issue), Dell laptops with a service tag ending in -1DB3 are amoungst the newer models.
For these models, the bios passwords are flashed onto an eeprom chip (or there may be several of them, in fact), so it doesn't do any good to remove the RTC battery and all power to clear the CMOS - it doesn't work. Likewise, there is no jumper that you can move around. And removing all the power and leaving the machine sit for a couple days does not work either - I've tried it.
On this particular machine, the settings in BIOS are not changeable without the password, although it looks like everything is enabled in BIOS, so the computer functions normally and Windows functions normally. I could just send it out like this except that the BIOS is set at version A02 - and I'd really like to update it!
So the password is supposed to prevent theft and improve security. I've taken the machine down to pieces. Right now it's just a working motherboard that functions, but can't be updated. There's nothing to steal or secure; and I'm not a thief anyway.
From my research, here are the ways this can be done:
- Backdoor master password
This will be hashed from the Dell Service Tag number. There are password generators for older models, but not for the newer ones. - Use default password
Sometimes there is a default master password that a system may accept - it may be worth trying these, but there aren't many options and all the websites out there seem to have the same list, such as this one, and the lists have not been updated probably, for a long time. - Get Dell to give you a password.
Apparently, you are always assumed to have stolen the machine in your possession. Dell will help you only if you can prove you own it. They provide a Change-of-Ownership form, but you have to know the previous legitimate owner. - Reset the service tag number
I can't figure out how to do this, and don't know if it will work. - Invalidate the CMOS checksum
This should reset the password. I can't find a utility that claims to work on a Latitude e5520. One example is the CMOS De-Animator, last updated in 2013, but I have confirmation from the authour that it won't work on the newer machines. However, it is possible that whilst performing this procedure that violate a built-in security measure and cause the BIOS to perfom a complete lockout. But on older machines, this method has been claimed to work well. - Flash a new password
There are some utilities that can do this, but all the ones on the internet are for older laptop models. - Short-circuit the eeprom chip
Apparently, this can be done with a paper clip; but you better make sure you know which chip this is. Problem is that some of the newer computers make use of several chips, and I've read how sometimes those chips may be stored underneath the processor! I haven't tried ths. - Use an eeprom flash programmer
It is a device that can flash codes onto the eeprom chip (I think). To do this you also have to be willing and capable of desoldering the eeprom chip and resoldering them. - Finally, pay someone
There are all kinds of creeps and cracks out there who will take your money and claim that they can give you a password based on your service-tag number. I've never tried this, but they must have a password generator!
Now, here is a collection of the best pages on the subject of resetting BIOS passwords.
- Tech-Faq's great info on resetting passwords - this is the best page
- Raymond CC's page - has a lot of nice tricks and applications to try
- BIOS password generator - nice generator for older machines (the authour has a blog about this subject and goes by the name of Dogbert. He says he won't update the code for newer models)
- BIOS password thread at TechSpot
- My Digital Life Forums has a nice list of tricks
- AskVG's list of tricks
What I would hope for is for someone to tell me a secure way to do this or point me to a password generator that works. I know that a fellow named Dogbert has figured out how to do this, but he does not release his work for general use.
Hi buddies , I'm also interested in the tricks to eliminate these clavesque sometimes forget . Let's see if we make a database of useful tips like this post together. greetings
Comment