Laptop - BIOS password..?

chequeout

Hi all

Thanks in advance for anyone that can help here :beer:
I have a laptop which was working fine until a friend of mine used it. Now, I cannot log in at all - it doesn't even go to the Windows log-in, just a small blue box appears with old-fashioned typo (think computers in the 80s!) which asks for a log-in.

I have done some asking around and apparantly it's the BIOS settings and it would appear he has put a password on it. However (to cut a long story short) I am no longer in touch with him and cannot get the password from him (although he did swear blind he hadn't put one on it and that the battery had just ran out when he was using it and since then it didn't work.....).

Now - from what I understand it is quite an expensive job to override this, someone else has even said it is totally knackered. I am kind of resigned to the fact and have since got a new laptop - but i would dearly love to get back into my old one as it has some dear photos of family etc on it and a few things I would love to get hold of again.

Does anyone have any advice? Is it repairable? Or should i simply chuck it away?

Thanks so much guys in advance.

ukdeveloper

chequeout wrote: »

Hi all

Thanks in advance for anyone that can help here :beer:
I have a laptop which was working fine until a friend of mine used it. Now, I cannot log in at all - it doesn't even go to the Windows log-in, just a small blue box appears with old-fashioned typo (think computers in the 80s!) which asks for a log-in.

I have done some asking around and apparantly it's the BIOS settings and it would appear he has put a password on it. However (to cut a long story short) I am no longer in touch with him and cannot get the password from him (although he did swear blind he hadn't put one on it and that the battery had just ran out when he was using it and since then it didn't work.....).

Now - from what I understand it is quite an expensive job to override this, someone else has even said it is totally knackered. I am kind of resigned to the fact and have since got a new laptop - but i would dearly love to get back into my old one as it has some dear photos of family etc on it and a few things I would love to get hold of again.

Does anyone have any advice? Is it repairable? Or should i simply chuck it away?

Thanks so much guys in advance.

It might be possible… if you supply the make model and serial number of the lappy.

UKD.

Salami

This may be possible.. I've done it before on a few occasions, but it depends on the model of laptop..

I've always ended up having to:

> Strip the laptop down so the CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) chip is accessible (can be tricky, especially seeing as everything fits in 'just-so')
> Rebuild the laptop to the point where it can be powered up, but the chip is still accessible.
> Short the chip (a paperclip connecting the relevent pins) & power on.
> Rebuild the laptop.
> Try not to have any screws left over.

chequeout

Hmmmm - all sounds a bit too techie for me to do - any idea how much it would cost to get it done for me?

It is a Dell Inspiron (will have to get serial number etc later as am at work)

Thanks guys

spa59

If you just need access to your old files remove the hard drive and fit it into an external case about £10. Conect this to new laptop via usb do a virus scan and then just drag the files you want onto the new laptop.

closed

Call Dell, if you are the registered owner, they will be able to give you an override.

Failing that, download the service manual from Dell, find the bios battery location, and remove it for a few minutes.

As previously mentioned, a usb hard disk caddy (need to find out if you have ide or sata), will enable you to get your data, for a few pounds.

I wouldn't advise poking a paper clip around.

Hodge4ever

chequeout wrote: »

It is a Dell Inspiron (will have to get serial number etc later as am at work)

Just the model number should suffice

closed wrote: »

Call Dell, if you are the registered owner, they will be able to give you an override.
Failing that, download the service manual from Dell, find the bios battery location, and remove it for a few minutes.

Couldn't have put it better myself, CMOS (BIOS) batteries in most modern(ish) laptops are usually fairly easy to get too (in my experience anyway, usually Dell or HP machines)

chequeout

Thanks all so much

chequeout

*Engage brain* I take back all that I said, it isn't a Dell at all, it is an Advent 8117. Any different advice....?

ukmike

Was going to say get a Dell password recovery off ebay for a couple of quid ( http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DELL-LAPTOP-BIOS-USER-Master-Admin-PASSWORD-REMOVAL-/310226634747?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Computing_Software_Software_SR&hash=item483af2c7fb )but not sure they do them for Advent.

closed

head towards the cmos battery route, because i doubt you'll get very far with the techguys.