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Unlocking notebooks

  • 13-06-2005 7:57pm
    #1
    MarkR
    Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 11,183 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Guy I know bought a couple of second hand laptops that are locked out. They're long gone now at this stage. How much do you think it would cost to get them unlocked?


Comments

  • #2
    optiplexgx270
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,523 ✭✭✭optiplexgx270


    MarkR wrote:
    Guy I know bought a couple of second hand laptops that are locked out. They're long gone now at this stage. How much do you think it would cost to get them unlocked?


    what do you mean by locked? i.e. you dont have the username / password?

    if thats the case reinstall windows or whatever os you want on it.


  • #3
    MarkR
    Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 11,183 Mod ✭✭✭✭MarkR


    Guy thinks it's locked out at the bios level. I'm pretty sure it's not. On review at home it seems that it's only some kind of security protocol on the hard drive, so wiping it should solve it.


  • #4
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 93,563 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    Don't forget that some BIOS 's allow the OS to start but still lock out the keyboard until you put in the password.

    Brand/Model might help.


  • #5
    KdjaCL
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,346 ✭✭✭✭KdjaCL


    MarkR wrote:
    Guy thinks it's locked out at the bios level. I'm pretty sure it's not. On review at home it seems that it's only some kind of security protocol on the hard drive, so wiping it should solve it.


    If its IBM drives with security password , throw out the HDs there is no way of getting onto them if its a hardware bios password on the HD. Just buy cheap 2nd hard drives.

    Dell laptops?

    Or you could ask the previous owner for the password ;)


    kdjac


  • #6
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 93,563 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    Some of the old Dell Latitudes had a very interesting way of resetting a forgotten the password if the password generator didn't work. Replace the motherboard.


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  • #7
    MarkR
    Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 11,183 Mod ✭✭✭✭MarkR


    The hard drives seem fine, only problem is that the product keys are from hp, and they don't seem to want to work on a general xp pro cd...


  • #8
    Kali
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,601 ✭✭✭Kali


    MarkR wrote:
    The hard drives seem fine, only problem is that the product keys are from hp, and they don't seem to want to work on a general xp pro cd...

    You'll need HP recovery cds, Dells product key labels are the same... you'll also need the correct service pack on the cd.


  • #9
    galactus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 990 ✭✭✭galactus


    Kali wrote:
    You'll need HP recovery cds, Dells product key labels are the same... you'll also need the correct service pack on the cd.

    Sorry to butt in but if its not a BIOS issue what's wrong with a complete reinstall? Never had a HP but have had several Dells and was never a prob.

    Just my 2c.


  • #10
    Kali
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,601 ✭✭✭Kali


    galactus wrote:
    Sorry to butt in but if its not a BIOS issue what's wrong with a complete reinstall? Never had a HP but have had several Dells and was never a prob.

    Presumably he wants to use a legitimate product key, the ones printed on OEM machines are generally tied to a specific OEM installation cd... for instance the product key on my laptop here will only work when i reinstall using a Windows 2000 SP3 CD, awkard, but legal.


  • #11
    MarkR
    Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 11,183 Mod ✭✭✭✭MarkR


    It was software loading after the bios and before the o/s I needed to get around. I did want to use the original product keys with the systems, but had to change plans. Thanks for trying folks. :)


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  • #12
    Hobbes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,264 ✭✭✭✭Hobbes


    KdjaC wrote:
    If its IBM drives with security password , throw out the HDs there is no way of getting onto them if its a hardware bios password on the HD. Just buy cheap 2nd hard drives.

    Actually the IBM thinkpads turn into a paperweight if you don't have the BIOS password.

    This sounds a bit strange tbh.. Are these hot?


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