Dell latitude E5530 BI/OS Password

[010010]

I am trying to access a Dell laptop and, for some reason, it has two of the "DELL SECURITY MANAGER." Passwords at BIOS level, one of which i know and the other is unknown and even after contacting dell themselves we have not been able to access it. if anyone has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[helpstar]

http://www.dell.com/support/Article/us/en/04/SLN284985/EN#Shortcut_4

one for BIOS and the other for the hard drive?

 

[010010]

Yes, and it is the Hard drive one which is unknown. For all the other laptops we have there is only one which is for the hard drive.

 

[helpstar]

replace the hard drive

 

[010010]

I need some of the stuff that's on it and as it may have some sensitive data, it must also be wiped.

 

[rgd1101]

It encrypted HDD, not going to get the data without the password.

 

[helpstar]

wiping is no problem: open the HDD, scratch and break the disks. Wear protecting glasses 😉

Dell needs to verify that you are the owner of this PC/HDD. Ask the preowner if possible.
Note the servicetag + HDD serial number and contact dell.

 

[010010]

is there nothing at all that can be done or any default password that is set as it wasn't set purposefully nor accidentally by an end-user. Also, it was a brand new machine that we set the password for, not one that was previously owned.

 

[rgd1101]

If it a new laptop, contact dell and get the HDD replacement. or replace the whole laptop.

 

[010010]

If it a new laptop, contact dell and get the HDD replacement. or replace the whole laptop.

i meant it was a new laptop and so it wasn't that we had simply received a laptop which the previous owner had set up a password for which we did not know. Also, as far as i have been told, the unknown password came about after a user experienced a crash.

 

[helpstar]

Then ask this user, he/she probably set the password

We do not offer cracking advices

 

[rgd1101]

If it is the generic hdd password, dell should have it. might need to call and get to higher level support. Other then that, might just need to replace the hdd.

 

[010010]

Then ask this user, he/she probably set the password

We do not offer cracking advices

I highly doubt this suggestion as they would not even know where to set this option and it is unlikely that one would accidentally stumble upon it.

as for cracking advice, i understand why you would suggest this though if that was what i was after i would've just put it, and not wasted mine or anyone else's time.

 

[010010]

If it is the generic hdd password, dell should have it. might need to call and get to higher level support. Other then that, might just need to replace the hdd.

I rang the Dell support line and to no avail as, as suggested, there is nothing they can do and a replacement was the only solution, the 'master' password i was given also didn't work so its basically a lost cause. Thanks for your responses.

 

[IFIXPCS]

Ok I pulled the drive out and was able to see and copy all the data from the drive so it's not encrypted. I'm wondering if I use a boot disk if I can do a system restore back before the lock was enabled or some other way to remove it? If not, at least I was able to recover all the files so I can wipe the drive and reinstall windows as a last resort?

Thanks for everyone's advice. If anyone has any ideas, I'm not going to wipe it for a few days while I look for a way to recover it back to it's unlocked condition.

I'll post my results...

Hope everyone has a great Labor day!

Tom