BIOS Boot Sequence Security

Question

Recently I needed to boot from a Linux CD for Imaging (Zenworks).  When the computer finished booting the hard drive was not showing!  This was because there is now a SATA controller (even though it did not show as a SATA controller).  The module in the Linux kernel for SATA controller is usually disabled; it has been flaky in the past. But that is not the problem (that one’s solved), actually this got me to thinking about security.  We used to be able to set the boot sequence and Admin password in the BIOS to prevent hackers from booting from a foreign boot disk.  But now with the F12 option, I can no longer do so.  My suggestion is to add a BIOS option that if Admin password is enabled that the hard drive is not available with a F12 boot.  Of course, this option should be allowed Enable/Disable with the Admin password access. Has this been suggested before?  What do you think?

Robot Randy · Answer

What model Latitude do you have, and what BIOS version?   Randy

Bob Thunker · Answer

Sorry, I missed the BIOS version request.  The D410 is version A05.  The D610 is version A06.  And the D810 is version A04.

Bob Thunker · Answer

I started noticing this on the D610 and D810.  The D410 didn't have a problem.  But I don't know if there was a manufacturing change at some point.  But like I said the Linux issue is known and can be addressed.

Locked Topics – Laptops General

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