HDD Passwords

[owdbuzzard]

Hi, when I turn on my old laptop it asks for a HDD password. Can anyone tell me how to find out what this is? Laptop is a Toshiba Satellite 2450.
Thanks

 

[neil_g]

bios password protection?

 

[owdbuzzard]

bios password protection?

What is that and where am I likely to find it?

 

[neil_g]

if it is that someone has enabled it.. youll need to find who set it.

 

[owdbuzzard]

The computer has not been used for a couple of years and never needed a password before.

 

[cosmicma]

if it is a HDD password replacing the HDD will obviously remove the password but if the password is done through bios thats a different story

or you could have a look at this website and see if any of it is relevant

http://ipv5.wordpress.com/2008/04/14/list-of-hard-disk-ata-master-passwords/

good luck...

 

[weealien]

If its the BIOS password the easiest way to reset it is to pull the CMOS battery - you'll need to open the case though but as its an older laptop I'm guessing its out of warranty anyways - leave it a few minutes then put battery back in and all should be sorted.

If you check the settings once you've done it there are usually 3 options for passwords in the BIOS settings:
NONE - No password ever needed
SETUP - Password required only to enter the BIOS settings screen
STARTUP - Password required whenever machine gets switched on

Hope this helps.

 

[owdbuzzard]

Thanks for the reply's I will try some of the suggestions and let you know.

 

[kendo1]

It should work, if not, there are other solutions including reset to factory settings- but the hard drive is wiped.

A common bios password for Toshiba technicians is apparently 'Toshiba' or 'TOSHIBA'.

 

[Lyonspride]

You could remove the HDD and connect it via USB to another PC, save what you need before thinking about a full reinstall.

The chances are without being used for used for years, the CMOS battery is dead and you'll need to setup the bios before it'll work again.