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Bios locked, showing unlock key hint on XPS L502X
I recently had a problem where my computer refuses my bios password. It now gives a box for the password and an "Unlock hint key" - some hex number. I tried calling Dell support and am told I need to buy a new motherboard? Is there a way to recover from this without being ripped off again?
ejn63
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July 7th, 2011 04:00
Upon verification of ownership, Dell will issue a master password for the system. Since it's new enough to be under warranty, there's no charge. The only issue will be if you're not the registered owner of the system - in which case, Dell is correct; the mainboard needs to be replaced.
ejn63
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July 7th, 2011 07:00
Send a private message to one of the moderators here - they will assist.
Vusa
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July 7th, 2011 07:00
That sounds logical but Dell South Africa says they don't have any such thing. I have all the paperwork for the laptop because I only got it 2 months ago. Spoke to a guy called Sutanu and the manager Matban Kurmar but got no help. The manager insisted there's no other way and he said there's no other number I could get Dell on to resolve this - he was the ultimate, I was shocked. He gave me a quote for about US$450 (R3000) for the motherboard. To make matters worse, I was told this will not be covered by warantee. I was so disappointed as this is the first Dell machine I've bought after years of HP and was a bit pricey for me.
Does anyone know if there's a number I can call outside my region? I don't even know if they have a physical presence in South Africa.
Vusa
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July 7th, 2011 07:00
Thank you ejn63 for the pointers.
francesquini
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February 22nd, 2012 11:00
I´m having exactly the same problem. How did you solve it?
francesquini
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February 23rd, 2012 06:00
Vusa, thanks for the reponse!
Dell staff should be better trained, most of the people there with whom I have spoken so far don't even know what a bios is... :-(
Vusa
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February 23rd, 2012 06:00
Dell eventually came and replaced my motherboard for free. It's their fault, they need to have an unlocking feature somehow. And in my case I'm 100% certain I hadn't forgotten my password.
kdub310
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October 29th, 2012 19:00
hello i have adell xps l702 bios password what can i do besides buying a new motherboard
Peru_Manuel.gam
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January 21st, 2013 06:00
I have the same problem and would like you can give me the password to unlock my computer is a xps L502x
francesquini
3 Posts
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January 21st, 2013 09:00
In my case, not even Dell could provide me with an unlock key. Finally, after two weeks of complaints they changed my motherboard for free. It's their fault, they should have a way to unlock it.
Peru_Manuel.gam
4 Posts
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January 21st, 2013 11:00
I passed the test that tests the components and tells me that I have a problem with the hard drive, so I want to change the hard drive but the bios message prevents me from making that change, one I can unlock password request
Raghuveer
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November 2nd, 2013 09:00
Hey, I too have the same problem, But i want to know was your XPS covered under warranty when your laptops motherboard was replaced without any charges