admin password

Question

Hello, I own a Dell Chromebook 11. <To protect you, your private information was removed from public view. All private data was saved to your private Case. DELL-Admin>
The device is asking for a BIOS/Firmware admin password at startup ("Please input admin password"). I bought it used and I do not know the password. Please advise me on the official recovery options.

anne_droid · Answer

Hi

I agree with on the having DELL do that, and it's possibly chargeable.

So return it and get a refund, get the seller to give the password or write it off as a bad experience.

If in doubt please ask.

HOWEVER...

If the Chromebook is only locked at the BIOS/firmware password level, a normal ChromeOS wipe or Powerwash won’t clear that password, because it only resets user data, not firmware security settings. dell+1
For a Dell Chromebook 11, the usual Linux path is: enter developer mode, disable hardware write protection, then use the MrChromebox firmware utility to install full ROM or RW_LEGACY firmware, and then boot a Linux USB installer. gist.github+1
If you cannot get past the firmware password or the firmware menu, you may be blocked before you can do any of that. dell+1

Can it be wiped? Yes, if you mean erasing ChromeOS/user data, but that does not remove a BIOS/firmware password. dell+1
Can Linux be installed with MrChromebox? Yes, but only if the device model is supported and you can reach the steps needed to enable developer mode and remove write protection. gist.github+1
If the password prevents firmware access: you’ll likely need the password release from Dell/owner records, or the device may be unsuitable for the MrChromebox route. dell+1

The specific Dell Chromebook 11 models seen in the sources, such as the 3120 and 3180, have been used successfully with MrChromebox-based Linux installs when developer mode and write protect were handled correctly.

If in doubt please ask.

Chromebook

admin password

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