Solved Reset stolen bios on laptop

[ionbasa]

Hi everyone I had a quick question!

Last month I bought a new toshiba laptop which i was using at university. I accidentally left it on campus last week in my laptop bag and someone picked it up and took it to a pawnshop.

The police were able to find it and verify that it was my laptop because I had the box, receipt and serial number.

Now that I have it back though I found out that the thief put a HDD password and Bios password on it!

How can I go about fixing this?

I haven't emailed toshiba yet regarding this issue, but they should be able to reset it given that I forward all of the information including the police report?

Thanks for your thought and opinions.

 

[paulpicks21]

Hi ionbasa, I am pretty sure if you can clear the CMOS that will get rid of all the passwords as this clears any changes made to the bios and re-sets it to default.
I am not sure however quite how you do this on a laptop. On a PC you can simply remove a small battery. I am guessing laptops are the same but access to said battery might prove to be difficult.

You could maybe do a search for resetting CMOS on your particular laptop, maybe there is an easy way to do this like removing the main battery and holding certain buttons down.
I really don't know but there will be a way.

I hope this helps a little.

Paul.

 

[LMiller7]

Unlike on a desktop, laptop BIOS passwords are not stored in the CMOS. HD passwords are stored in the drive itself in an area not accessible to standard software. These passwords are designed as a deterrent against theft. If they were easily removed they would serve no purpose.

Your only real option is to contact Toshiba.

 

[Solarstarshines]

My first thought would be replace the hard drive and re install windows on a new one

If not you are better off contacting Toshiba they may offer you a brand new Laptop at there expense

there are many ways to fix this issue problem is you want to keep your warranty in tact so with that being said

here is a way to rid yourself if you follow this hope it works for you How to Get Rid of a Master HDD Password & Unlock BIOS | eHow

and another http://www.technibble.com/how-to-bypass-or-remove-a-bios-password/

 

[ionbasa]

Unlike on a desktop, laptop BIOS passwords are not stored in the CMOS. HD passwords are stored in the drive itself in an area not accessible to standard software. These passwords are designed as a deterrent against theft. If they were easily removed they would serve no purpose.

Your only real option is to contact Toshiba.

Thanks, I assumed this would be the case. I just contacted them and hopefully I should get a reply by tomorrow. It is kinda a bummer that I won't have it for a week or two because of my required school work.

Edit: removing the CMOS battery probably won't work. THe laptop is equipped with a UEFI and hardware TPM.

 

[Solarstarshines]

Unlike on a desktop, laptop BIOS passwords are not stored in the CMOS. HD passwords are stored in the drive itself in an area not accessible to standard software. These passwords are designed as a deterrent against theft. If they were easily removed they would serve no purpose.

Your only real option is to contact Toshiba.

Thanks, I assumed this would be the case. I just contacted them and hopefully I should get a reply by tomorrow. It is kinda a bummer that I won't have it for a week or two because of my required school work.

Don't speak to soon I gave you options take a look before you give them a go

 

[ionbasa]

Unlike on a desktop, laptop BIOS passwords are not stored in the CMOS. HD passwords are stored in the drive itself in an area not accessible to standard software. These passwords are designed as a deterrent against theft. If they were easily removed they would serve no purpose.

Your only real option is to contact Toshiba.

Thanks, I assumed this would be the case. I just contacted them and hopefully I should get a reply by tomorrow. It is kinda a bummer that I won't have it for a week or two because of my required school work.

Don't speak to soon I gave you options take a look before you give them a go

The problem is I can't get to the UEFI without booting into windows first, the system has Windows 8 installed. The only way to access the UEFI is through the advanced recovery option.

I will try and see if I can see a CMOS battery under the lid or anywhere near that general location. Otherwise I may risk losing the warranty if I open it up.

For the HDD password I could just try pulling out the HDD and formatting on another computer then re-installing Windows. From there I think I may get access to the UEFI if I can reinstall Windows 8.

 

[Solarstarshines]

Thanks, I assumed this would be the case. I just contacted them and hopefully I should get a reply by tomorrow. It is kinda a bummer that I won't have it for a week or two because of my required school work.

Don't speak to soon I gave you options take a look before you give them a go

The problem is I can't get to the UEFI without booting into windows first, the system has Windows 8 installed. The only way to access the UEFI is through the advanced recovery option.

I will try and see if I can see a CMOS battery under the lid or anywhere near that general location. Otherwise I may risk losing the warranty if I open it up.

For the HDD password I could just try pulling out the HDD and formatting on another computer then re-installing Windows. From there I think I may get access to the UEFI if I can reinstall Windows 8.

Did you try holding the keys down like it asked in the tut ?

 

[ionbasa]

Did you try holding the keys down like it asked in the tut ?

Yes, Although I confirmed through the Toshiba website that you can not access the UEFI like you can on a normal bios based system.

I don't mind reinstalling windows as all of my documents were backed up. So ill see if I can pull the HDD and reformat on another computer possibly through parted magic.

 

[Solarstarshines]

Did you try holding the keys down like it asked in the tut ?

Yes, Although I confirmed through the Toshiba website that you can not access the UEFI like you can on a normal bios based system.

I don't mind reinstalling windows as all of my documents were backed up. So ill see if I can pull the HDD and reformat on another computer possibly through parted magic.

Well that would be better in the long run anyway GOD knows what he or she set up on it once you got passed all the other crap

It would be wise to get a program that allows you to locate your laptop though GPS type service this would catch them as soon as they log on and then at the same time you can press charges and make them responsible for all damages