Toshiba hdd locked

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  1. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #11

    If all those ideas fail to meet you needs take a look here. I haven't used it sense the old XP days so I don't remember all the dos and don't of the program.
    iolo DriveScrubber® - Use DriveScrubber to wipe your hard drive clean.
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  2. Posts : 76
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1
    Thread Starter
       #12

    Not really lookin to pay for any programs and also keep in mind any programs I try will have to be ones I can boot from because the hdd will not show up for me when I am logged into windows. I'm about to try dban and see if I have any luck with it.
    Last edited by Grego86; 12 Aug 2012 at 14:51. Reason: Misspelled a couple words.
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  3. Posts : 2,171
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #13

    I suspect you're going to have a hard time if that HD password is set to maximum security.


    I've never run into a hard drive where someone has used the built-in disk lock capabilities. It's actually a part of the ATA specification so I imagine it's available on most all hard disks. The only ways I know of to access the disk lock features is either through a BIOS that allows it or using something like MHDD or HDParm (use them with caution, though). Regardless of how you access it consider the following:
    • If the lock is set to high security I think you might be able to wipe the drive in order to be able to use it again.
    • If the lock is set to maximum security I don't think you'll get anywhere with it unless you know the master password. The drive ignores any access attempts.
    I determined many years ago not to bother with using this "feature" on any of my drives (worried about possible pitfalls) and again, I've never run into a drive where someone's used it, so I can't tell you what to expect or how much luck you'll have.

    But it does seem promising that you were able to successfully use Diskpart's clean command. If it truly was successful that means it actually accessed the first part of the disk (MBR area), and that the security level may be set to high rather than maximum.

    Data recovery services supposedly can help, though they charge you a little more than the cost of the drive itself. So really only useful if you're wanting your data back, but the fact they can do it tells you something.
    Last edited by F5ing; 12 Aug 2012 at 18:16. Reason: formatting/spelling.
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  4. Posts : 8,375
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
       #14

    There are some other options available. Some won't be free but a lot cheaper then a data recovery service is likely to charge. HDD Unlock is one of the programs designed for these types of occasions.

    The Computer Hope does seem to offer some hope? for this. How to lock or unlock the hard drive Of course you are talking Legacy Windows there however.

    Here's something a little more of interest from the eHow site. How to Unlock a Toshiba Hard Drive With OEM security features at work the idea of placing the drive into a usb enclosure could simplify things since for the guide there still requires you be booted in Windows.
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  5. Posts : 76
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1
    Thread Starter
       #15

    Well I can place it in my desktop by a sata cable and run diskpart when logged in and I'll try the eHow's method that way. Don't believe I have ever tried that method mentioned.
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  6. Posts : 8,375
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
       #16

    Too often most don't even realize a hard drive can be password protected as well as boards seeing the bios password option. On a board however you simply pop the battery out and call it a day there however.
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  7. Posts : 2,171
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #17

    Yeah, I'm aware of HDD Unlock and associated Repair Station. HDD Unlock is relatively low priced and wipes, Repair Station more expensive but recovers. Requires internet connection to their site but can be done at home. They say they will refund if unsuccessful. Varied reviews on the 'net though.

    I think those other links are for obsolete DOS commands to lock and unlock mounted drives.
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  8. Posts : 2,171
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #18

    Night Hawk said:
    Too often most don't even realize a hard drive can be password protected as well as boards seeing the bios password option. On a board however you simply pop the battery out and call it a day there however.
    But watch out for laptops that store the BIOS password in NVRAM...
    Last edited by F5ing; 12 Aug 2012 at 22:03. Reason: "password" corrected to "BIOS password".
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  9. Posts : 8,375
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
       #19

    Once again OEMs tend to be proprietary about their own security measures and just how much you can do once something is locked up. The NVRam method would simply be in effective while the drive was installed in the laptop it came with however.

    Once you pull the drive out and slave it elsewhere you then simply use a security tool to nuke the drive not trying to access any data on it which is where the password becomes a majpr obstacle. With a drive isolated however you can then opt for some effective 3rd party options like security tools to see any drive cleaned off.

    The same can be said about drives someone uses the BitLocker tool on to see encrypted. If you lose or forget the password it's wipe the drive time!
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  10. Posts : 2,171
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #20

    Night Hawk said:
    Once again OEMs tend to be proprietary about their own security measures and just how much you can do once something is locked up. The NVRam method would simply be in effective while the drive was installed in the laptop it came with however.

    Once you pull the drive out and slave it elsewhere you then simply use a security tool to nuke the drive not trying to access any data on it which is where the password becomes a majpr obstacle. With a drive isolated however you can then opt for some effective 3rd party options like security tools to see any drive cleaned off.

    The same can be said about drives someone uses the BitLocker tool on to see encrypted. If you lose or forget the password it's wipe the drive time!
    I was referring to BIOS password. You could wait a year after pulling the battery and find the BIOS password is still there. Other methods are required.

    Hard drive passwords are completely different, conforming to ATA specs, and have nothing to do with the manufacturer of the drive (or the machine's BIOS) other than the way they implement it while staying within specs. It doesn't matter what machine you connect it to or even how you connect it; it's all in the drive itself (similar to the way SMART is implemented on the controller card and a protected area of the disk platters).

    The problem is that any third part security tool has to be able to interact with the drive's disk lock firmware in order to wipe the drive (if it's set to max security).

    I'm not saying it can't be done though.
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