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Inspiron 3531, July 2014, Windows 8.1, Reset
Sister-in-law is having trouble with her laptop. Forgotten Power On password. rror code- 296f3C5E5EC49DE2. Please advise on how to reset this machine.
PudgyOne
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August 7th, 2017 12:00
gallowaysid,
Contact Dell Tech Support for assistance.
Rick
Dell-SreejithR
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August 8th, 2017 02:00
Thank you for your message.
Do you get the message for a bios password or the hard drive password?
For better assistance, please click on my Dell username & share the service tag along with the registered name & email address. Once we verify the account, we will assist you with the master password.
gallowaysid
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August 8th, 2017 13:00
Inspiron 15-3531. Service Tag: . Express Service Code: . Sid Galloway/ . Power On Password forgotten (put in place by a nincompoop). Master Password gotten from Dell Telephone Support (1FF797E8) attempted while on phone with support did not work. Support advised to purchase new motherboard. New motherboard price quoted at $257.00..... She bought this non-performer new for $249.00 USD. A newer, better machine can be had at a cheaper price. With the performance sister-in-law has had with this machine, the ONLY reason I will advise her to stick with this machine is if Dell can advise on how to fix this without the extravagant expenditure.
gallowaysid
6 Posts
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August 8th, 2017 16:00
Motherboard removed. Please advise on location of BIOS chip.
gallowaysid
6 Posts
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August 8th, 2017 23:00
Resolved on my own. Thanks..... Found schematic online for the LA-B481P motherboard. Located the BIOS chip using flashlight and magnifying glass. Used bent paperclip to short the leads on the chip. Holding flashlight with my mouth, I jumped from left to right side of chip in numerous positions while repeatedly hitting the power button. After some time (15-20 mins.) the Enter Startup Password box simply disappeared. I figured I had nothing to lose, since my new motherboard will be here Friday. Now I can return the new board and spend the $85 (Ebay price, NOT Dell) on an 8GB RAM chip.
G.host
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November 15th, 2018 05:00
Quick question: Did you leave the power cable and/or batteries (CMOS or Lithium ion) in the laptop while you did the jumping and power button pushing?