BIOS password changed?

Question

Three weeks ago I thought it was a good idea to enter a BIOS system password because I was concerned about somebody reading my work and personal data in case the laptop was stolen or lost.

Since yesterday I regret this decision because the BIOS for no apparent reason decided that the password I was using all those weeks is not correct. I'm not braindead, I know the password worked fine and it is a really good one and this must be an apparent bug in the BIOS.

Does anybody know if there is something that could have triggered this behaviour? Maybe there is a key combination that I hit accidentally such as when you have the caps lock is on for the Windows password. Only thing I know is that I changed my Windows password yesterday, but how could that reset my BIOS password???

Well equipped Dell Latitude D800 asking for help!

Bay Wolf · Answer

According to the FAQ above:

Q: I have lost/forgotten/don’t-know my computer’s BIOS password, what can I do?
A: Unfortunately, Dell cannot provide BIOS passwords via the Dell Community Forum, however, you may contact us via the telephone and after a complete verification of your ownership of this computer, we can provide you with the necessary password.

Message Edited by Bay Wolf on 09-01-2003 08:16 PM

stefan_a_bauer · Answer

Yes, I have read on this forum what to do if a password is forgotten/unknown. This case is different. I know exactly that the same password worked all day and suddenly the BIOS refuses it. How can I trust this password feature again if it is so buggy?

Is there anything on the Latitude D800 keyboard that I could have pressed accidentally? I tried caps lock and num lock but the indicators for that are turned off when it enters the password page. Any other key combination that comes to mind? Anybody been in that situation?

Any help very much appreciated!

chapmasj · Answer

I've not heard of problems (apart from users who forget or new owners who don't know!) with the BIOS password function. No, changing a windows password won't affect it. Are you certain that this is not 'finger trouble'? Message Edited by chapmasj on 09-08-2003 06:00 PM

mag046 · Answer

If your password contains number(s)...

...the numbers across the top of the keyboard register differently than the numbers in the 10-key keypad. A lot of people do not realize or know this, but it is a very secure method that my business uses for password creation.

ie...12345 across the top is totally different than 12345 using the 10-key keypad numbers. We mix them up and then incorporate alphas.

I am only speaking from a BIOS standpoint, not sure if this even applys to Dells or not. Just a thought because I had the same problem with a desktop and it turned out to be the situation I described above.

leduke30 · Answer

If you hit the space bar when entering a password, that goes in as part of it, or if you did not, and hit it when entering the password for access, it will not be acceptable. I did that on one occasion and it took me a couple of hours to find the right combination.

uncleugly · Answer

I am faced with the same problem. I set up 5 Dimension 2350 with BIOS Version, Mitac International A10 12/17/2002 (according to winmsd). Each computer was set up with an administrators password and a user password. I started to get calls on the computer that the user password was not being accepted but the administrator password was. I now have a machine on which neither password is accepted. I figured it was a case of loose lips and a wiseguy changing the password but now I am inclined to think that there is a BIOS problem. I have chased Dell problems around before, e.g., two dimms crashing a laptop where nothing comes up when running Dell diags but the problem being rectified when I go to a single dimm, where there was no acknowledgement of a problem with the exception of it coming up again and again in the forum.

DELL-Corey · Answer

uncleugly,

I understand your angst, and your problem, but you’ll need to contact us directly (link given earlier in this thread and in the FAQ) in regards to this issue.
Unfortunately, it is just not one that can be addressed via the Dell Community Forum.

Ed C · Answer

Have you tried using/NOT using the Caps Lock key, Num Lock key.

Locked Topics – Laptops General

BIOS password changed?

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