PC Access

Why don't you just ask the previous company for those details? Besides that, they should have installed a clean, vanilla version of a non company OS on the PC anyway (or wiped it completely along with the OS if it originally had a volume license installed).

Any other comments ?

Cheers

Some computers have a jumper that you can set to wipe out the CMOS memory where the BIOS info is stored so that it goes back to the original factory settings.  Go to the web site for that model and see if you can find the manual for that computer.  Maybe it will tell you what to do there.

It depends on whether it is a laptop or a desktop PC. If it is a laptop, the BIOS password is secured on a chip and you can't remove it without knowing it. If you have proof of ownership you can get in touch with the manufacturer, but this will usually not be free, and in some cases you even have to send the laptop to them because they have to replace the mainboard.

For desktop PC's you can usually remove the CMOS battery, and there is also a BIOS reset jumper.

Agree -- if it's a laptop it's not likely you can delete the password; but if it's a desktop it's pretty simple -- just remove the BIOS battery (most likely a CR2032);  unplug the system;  wait 10 minutes; then replace the battery, plug it in, and turn it on -- you should then be able to access the BIOS.

However ... if it's a desktop, why not just add a DVD drive?    They're only ~ $25 these days.

Experts,

Thanks for responding.

Its a HP EliteBook 2560p laptop....

Hi Experts,

Are you saying there is very little I can do as its a laptop?


Cheers

Just get in touch with the previous owner, they'll know the password, and once you have it you will be able to change it. I do recommend keeping a password on it, so the laptop will be useless to a thief.

You can make a dongle that will bypass the security. Search google for methods for 'bypass laptop bios password dongle'. Select one that matches your make and model. I became aware of this method many years ago when it became apparent the any doggle from any manufacturer will enable software on a pc with a bios password. Crossing some wires on a port will, effectively, cause the pc to not check for a bios password. If you are adept at electronics, and soldering specifically, rather than using a dongle, you can cross connect the wires on a port, assuming that you do not need that port.

the above method may have worked for older style laptops - but i know no modern laptops with a parallel printer port

Yes. I assumed that the author was getting an older corporate laptop. If is a new model, it probably does not have a bios or a bios password. A newer pc would use uefi but that is another story. However, exactly what model and make are we dealing with here?

>> Its a HP EliteBook 2560p laptop

Thanks Experts for your comments.

mpagnan, you're correct when you say its an old corporate laptop that I acquired just before leaving the company.. I don't think they'll let me know what username / password they use for local admin access.

An elitebook 2560p isn't what I'd call old. It certainly has a security chip that can't be overcome with a dongle, and it has no parallel port.

You don't need usernames. You only need to be able to access the BIOS. If they won't give you the password, bring them the PC so they can reset it themselves.

Since it is an HP, enter an invalid password and note the letter-number error code. Log on to out-of-warranty.com, search for bios password and follow the instructions which are 1st register at the site 2nd send them your error code by email. They will generate the password from the error code and send it back. I have never tried this but I understand that it works. Good luck.

Cheers