You have a computer that you don't know the password to, you don't have the floppy drive, and you don't have the original OS install CD. I would say that you are pretty much SOL. Go buy a floppy drive, or buy an original OS install CD, both of which would then be bootable and your problem will be solved.
I don't believe this is true. I purchased a new 60GB drive for my Lattitude and when I put it into the system, the Lattitude told me there was a password on the drive. I can cancel the prompt, but the BIOS ignores the fact that a drive exists and shows no hard disk in the setup screen. So, even if I boot from CD or floppy, there is no drive to load the OS onto.
Of course, I first tried installing linux (linspire) on the drive so perhaps that did something to make my Dell think the drive is passworded.
I found that if I had an IBM (or now Hitachi) drive in the primary internal drive bay, that placing a Toshiba drive into the modular bay would give the same results, but reversing the drives would allow both drives to function normally. I strongly suspect that it has something to do with the on-board firmware revision on the primary hard drive which is causing the problems you are seeing.
BTW, the original poster was having problems with their Windows password, not the BIOS password for the HD. These are different issues, and the Windows password can be eliminated by reformatting the drive and re-installing the OS. The BIOS password is a little more difficult to get around, and against forum guidelines to discuss here.
If you are the owner of the system, and you can verify the information that we have in our database, then "getting around" the BIOS password is very simple. You call Dell. A technician will ask you to verify the information, and then give you the password.
Since the BIOS password is a way to protect the property of our customers, JersWork is correct that we will not allow ways to circumvent the password to be discussed on the forum.
JersWork
770 Posts
0
January 29th, 2004 18:00
You have a computer that you don't know the password to, you don't have the floppy drive, and you don't have the original OS install CD. I would say that you are pretty much SOL. Go buy a floppy drive, or buy an original OS install CD, both of which would then be bootable and your problem will be solved.
rwbowers
6 Posts
0
September 15th, 2004 16:00
Of course, I first tried installing linux (linspire) on the drive so perhaps that did something to make my Dell think the drive is passworded.
JersWork
770 Posts
0
September 17th, 2004 19:00
I found that if I had an IBM (or now Hitachi) drive in the primary internal drive bay, that placing a Toshiba drive into the modular bay would give the same results, but reversing the drives would allow both drives to function normally. I strongly suspect that it has something to do with the on-board firmware revision on the primary hard drive which is causing the problems you are seeing.
BTW, the original poster was having problems with their Windows password, not the BIOS password for the HD. These are different issues, and the Windows password can be eliminated by reformatting the drive and re-installing the OS. The BIOS password is a little more difficult to get around, and against forum guidelines to discuss here.
Message Edited by JersWork on 09-17-2004 03:53 PM
Rollie_R
2 Intern
•
2.2K Posts
0
September 20th, 2004 19:00
JersWork, and others,
If you are the owner of the system, and you can verify the information that we have in our database, then "getting around" the BIOS password is very simple. You call Dell. A technician will ask you to verify the information, and then give you the password.
Since the BIOS password is a way to protect the property of our customers, JersWork is correct that we will not allow ways to circumvent the password to be discussed on the forum.
JersWork
770 Posts
0
September 21st, 2004 00:00
Yep. Right now, I am the registered owner of all of my Dell notebooks, so that is not a problem for me.
It used to be when I got my first Dell second hand, but I no longer have that system...
rwbowers
6 Posts
0
September 22nd, 2004 03:00