JanPelc
asked on
What can I do if my HDD is locked and requires password?
My HDD is Seagate Barracuda ATA IV 80GB (ST380021A). The problem raised
after I connected the disk to another computer. Now at start just after
checking primary/secondary master and slave devices It says HDD Locked,
enter password: (5 left) and that's it. I've never set any HDD password on my disk, so it must happen by accident (an electric impulse or I don't know)
I put the disk as a slave with another computer and then BIOS can
detect both disks (the original and mine - saying type, size, cylinders), but
(of course) doesn't mount mine.
I tried fdisk /MBR, Partition Magic, Part but it useless because the
lock doesn't permit any access to data without password. (the disk is not
available from Dos or Windows mode).
I heard that low level format may help, can I do it myself at home?
I've read sth about security standards and It seem to me that the only
solution could be that pasword.
Can anyone give me advice what to do now?
after I connected the disk to another computer. Now at start just after
checking primary/secondary master and slave devices It says HDD Locked,
enter password: (5 left) and that's it. I've never set any HDD password on my disk, so it must happen by accident (an electric impulse or I don't know)
I put the disk as a slave with another computer and then BIOS can
detect both disks (the original and mine - saying type, size, cylinders), but
(of course) doesn't mount mine.
I tried fdisk /MBR, Partition Magic, Part but it useless because the
lock doesn't permit any access to data without password. (the disk is not
available from Dos or Windows mode).
I heard that low level format may help, can I do it myself at home?
I've read sth about security standards and It seem to me that the only
solution could be that pasword.
Can anyone give me advice what to do now?
Greetings, JanPelc!
You can remove the password by removing the CMOS battery from the motherboard for 1/2 hour. This resets the Bios. Also, there is a jumper near the CMOS that you can use. Consult with your motherboard manual.
Best wishes, war1
You can remove the password by removing the CMOS battery from the motherboard for 1/2 hour. This resets the Bios. Also, there is a jumper near the CMOS that you can use. Consult with your motherboard manual.
Best wishes, war1
I've never heard of a disk that is locked by hardware, so it must me stored in the Master boot Record.
What might be possible that some encryption program is installed to secure the information on the hardrive.
If that is the case and you cannot figure out the password then all infomation on the drive is lost forever.
You can try to remove all partitions using FDISK, and then remake a partition (or more partitions) and then try the fdisk /mbr
If all fails, if you have a friend that runs linux, make him connect the harddrive to his computer and let him cfdisk the harddrive, that might work.
What might be possible that some encryption program is installed to secure the information on the hardrive.
If that is the case and you cannot figure out the password then all infomation on the drive is lost forever.
You can try to remove all partitions using FDISK, and then remake a partition (or more partitions) and then try the fdisk /mbr
If all fails, if you have a friend that runs linux, make him connect the harddrive to his computer and let him cfdisk the harddrive, that might work.
war1 : that wont work in his case..
/quote
checking primary/secondary master and slave devices It says HDD Locked
/end quote
I'm guessing his HD has somekind of encryption on it.
/quote
checking primary/secondary master and slave devices It says HDD Locked
/end quote
I'm guessing his HD has somekind of encryption on it.
Janpelk : before i forget.. when you tried fdisk /mbr did you boot from a floppy?
JanPelc,
If you have a hard disk password, it may be difficult to remove. Even professionals recomend not doing so. "Get a new hard drive".
http://users.powernet.co.uk/sysserv/page125.html
If you need to recover your data on the hard disk, use a professional service like Ontrack www.ontrack.com
Goldwing, I read the question wrong. Thanks for reminding me.
If you have a hard disk password, it may be difficult to remove. Even professionals recomend not doing so. "Get a new hard drive".
http://users.powernet.co.uk/sysserv/page125.html
If you need to recover your data on the hard disk, use a professional service like Ontrack www.ontrack.com
Goldwing, I read the question wrong. Thanks for reminding me.
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/20423260/Hard-Drive-Lock-Password.html
this thread has been going on FOREVER and may give some insight into you issue
may help or hinder
'
waffle
this thread has been going on FOREVER and may give some insight into you issue
may help or hinder
'
waffle
War1 : no problem.. but i have to do it again..
the password is NOT stored in the bios..
/quote
after I connected the disk to another computer.
/end quote
so it HAS to be something on the harddrive itself, like a encryption program to encrypt the information.
the password is NOT stored in the bios..
/quote
after I connected the disk to another computer.
/end quote
so it HAS to be something on the harddrive itself, like a encryption program to encrypt the information.
Goldwing,
Where in my 3:12 pm reply do I say the password is stored in the Bios? Why don't try helping JanPelc instead of discrediting another comments?
Where in my 3:12 pm reply do I say the password is stored in the Bios? Why don't try helping JanPelc instead of discrediting another comments?
war1 : i'm NOT trying to discrediting you, i'm trying to help the questioneer finding a right solution without sending him on a wild goose chase.
but in your comment of 3:12 you offered him the link http://users.powernet.co.uk/sysserv/page125.html
On that link they are talking about how to reset your bios password, this is not the case here, it's something on his harddrive.
Again, i'm not trying to discredit you.. just trying to help, if it looks like discrediting please accept my appologies, this was never my intention.
but in your comment of 3:12 you offered him the link http://users.powernet.co.uk/sysserv/page125.html
On that link they are talking about how to reset your bios password, this is not the case here, it's something on his harddrive.
Again, i'm not trying to discredit you.. just trying to help, if it looks like discrediting please accept my appologies, this was never my intention.
Goldwing,
If you read the link carefully, you will see that the author is referring to two types of passwords, supervisor and user password and hard disk password. The hard disk password is the one that I was referring to when he said "get a new hard drive".
If you read the link carefully, you will see that the author is referring to two types of passwords, supervisor and user password and hard disk password. The hard disk password is the one that I was referring to when he said "get a new hard drive".
Goldwing, I replied in reference to JanPelc comment:
>> It says HDD Locked,
>> enter password: (5 left) and that's it. I've never set any HDD password on my
>> disk, so it must happen by accident
Hard disk password is what I am addressing.
>> It says HDD Locked,
>> enter password: (5 left) and that's it. I've never set any HDD password on my
>> disk, so it must happen by accident
Hard disk password is what I am addressing.
War1 : i stand corrected, please accept my appologies.
/quote
the author is referring to two types of passwords,
supervisor and user password and hard disk password
/end quote
i might be miscounting.. but isn't that 3 kinds of passwords?
(DON'T COMMENT ON THIS!! i'm just fooling)
<grin>
Ok.. back to the question..
:)
/quote
the author is referring to two types of passwords,
supervisor and user password and hard disk password
/end quote
i might be miscounting.. but isn't that 3 kinds of passwords?
(DON'T COMMENT ON THIS!! i'm just fooling)
<grin>
Ok.. back to the question..
:)
>>>"The problem raised
after I connected the disk to another computer."
To remove the password you should return the drive to the pc it came from.
What is the brand and model# of the pc?
This will help to find the right procedure in removing the password.
after I connected the disk to another computer."
To remove the password you should return the drive to the pc it came from.
What is the brand and model# of the pc?
This will help to find the right procedure in removing the password.
The password is likely stored in NVRAM on the drive's circuit board, and not on the actual data cylinders itself. The EE question that was linked above has tons of information, all related to this exact problem. Bottom line is that its almost impossible to get rid of these passwords, swapping out the PCB (printed circuit board) on the drive with another from the precise same drive model might work (again assuming the password is stored in NVRAM on the board).
Have you tried guessing passwords, or just leaving it blank and pressing enter?
-dog*
Have you tried guessing passwords, or just leaving it blank and pressing enter?
-dog*
contact pc manufacturer and hd manufacturer as there may be a default code availiable
Could you not reconnect the drive to the other computer and then work out how to reverse the password lock?
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waffleironhead
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Unless it is clear to me that the question has been answered I will recommend delete. It is possible that a Grade less than A will be given if no expert makes a case for an A grade. It is assumed that any participant not responding to this request is no longer interested in its final disposition.
If the user does not know how to close the question, the options are here:
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waffleironhead
EE cleanup Volunteer
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Hi,
The password is written on the Service area of the hdd. So u need to access the drive using ATA commands to remove the password. You need to be expert on hard drives for using the ATA commands.
The password is written on the Service area of the hdd. So u need to access the drive using ATA commands to remove the password. You need to be expert on hard drives for using the ATA commands.
ASKER
after I connected the disk to another computer. Now at start just after
checking primary/secondary master and slave devices It says HDD Locked,
enter password: (5 left) and that's it.
I put the disk as a slave with another computer and then BIOS can
detect both disks (the original and mine - saying type size, cylinders), but
(of course) doesn't mount mine.
I tried fdisk /MBR, Partition Magic, Part but it useless because the
lock doesn't permit any access to data without password. (the disk is not
available from Dos or Windows mode).
I heard that low level format may help, can I do it myself at home?
I've read sth about security standards and It seem to me that the only
solution could be that pasword.
Can anyone give me advice what to do now?