stolen laptop. devastated

Why would you get them from the Dell website? They're just going to be overpriced.

A physical would only work depending on the type of ways he can attach it.

alphanumeric said:

...a laptop BIOS differs from a desktop BIOS in that you can't easily reset it to defaults with a jumper or by removing the CMOS battery. The passwords are stored in eeproms...you don't want to ever forget them or you could be in for a pain full experience trying to get back in.

Well put. I'd forgotten this aspect of laptops...thanks for reminding. :)

maxseven said:

alphanumeric said:

...a laptop BIOS differs from a desktop BIOS in that you can't easily reset it to defaults with a jumper or by removing the CMOS battery. The passwords are stored in eeproms...you don't want to ever forget them or you could be in for a pain full experience trying to get back in.

Well put. I'd forgotten this aspect of laptops...thanks for reminding. :)

Most people get caught out by this when they buy a used laptop and decide to re-install the OS. Only to find out they can't get into the BIOS to change the boot order. They call the previous owner and find he or she doesn't remember what it was. Then they post looking for help to bypass the password. Only problem is you can't help them because its like helping someone get into a stolen laptop and against forum rules. Some will even disassemble the laptop so they can unplug the CMOS battery thinking that will reset it. Breaking something in the process. The moral of the story is, if you are going to set a BIOS password on a laptop. Make sure its something you are never going to forget, or record it and save it in a safe place.

I once had to go to Youtube and donate to this guy and he gave me the password to reset it. However it was my own Netbook (just I updated the driver - mucking up the password). I was pretty amazed he could solve it.