Compaq All In One Power-on Password Problem

[boweasel]

Bought a used Compaq Presario CQ1 All In One Windows 7 Home 64 bit. We created a password and the machine worked great for a week. But now when we boot the PC it brings up this blue box with the heading power-on password. It never did this before. It used to just boot to the screen where we enter our password. What seems to make this situation different from others I've read about is that when we enter our Windows 7 password on that blue screen ...., it works. It takes us to our normal signon screen. However, that password - one we've been using - no longer works to log us into Windows.

If I hit the Escape key before the blue box appears, enter our Windows password on that blue screen, press enter and Escape again I get to the Startup Menu, where I can get into the Boot Menu, the BIOS, Diagnostics, etc... When I go into the BIOS I fail to see any log in password, or any security of any type.

I have changed the Boot Order in the BIOS to boot first from ATAPI CD-ROM. I have gone to the Boot Menu and done it there. Neither allow me to boot from my 64 bit Windows 7 Home disk, which is the only method I know of to reset the password.

If I enter the wrong password on the blue screen it throws up an asterisk and gives me another chance. Only by entering our Windows password can I continue. But it does me no good since the log on screen won't accept that same password that the blue screen just allowed.

 

[Lance1]

Give this a look, hope it helps. BIOS Password Backdoors in Laptops

 

[boweasel]

Thanks for the reply, but no, it didn't help. The link points me to ways around the BIOS password. Although the BIOS password blue screen just started popping up, the Windows password does seem to satisfy it, so that when I enter the Windows password on the power-on password screen it takes me to the Windows log screen. Then I can go no further because the password that got me past the blue screen will not get me into Windows.

And AIAS even though I can into the BIOS setup screen I can't make the machine boot off a disk. Which means I can't reset the Windows password, since the only way I know of resetting it is to use a disk.

 

[Lance1]

If you're comfortable with opening up the system you can pull the bios battery or reset the bios jumper to reset the bios.

 

[boweasel]

If you're comfortable with opening up the system you can pull the bios battery or reset the bios jumper to reset the bios.

I have no problem with opening it up. I just can't seem to find any online manual that'll show me where the CMOS battery and jumpers are located. It's a Compaq Presario CQ1-2025.

 

[Megahertz07]

All in one can have the battery hidden under the MB.
If you can enter into BIOS settings, you will find the power on password setting. Disable it (blank?).
Does it have a Default setting? Before you do any change into BIOS take note of actual settings.

 

[boweasel]

The BIOS has 5 headings across the top
File Storage Security Power Advanced
Security has an option labeled Power-on Password. Clicking on it shows
Old Password [ ]
New Password [ ]
Confirm Password [ ]

As you can see, they are all blank. Nonetheless, I put the cursor on each entry and hit the delete key about 10 times. Then I did a Save & Exit. It gave me no error for not actually entering the 'old' password. But it made no difference because it still brought up the power-on password screen and letting it blank didn't work. I had to enter my Windows password to continue, which of course led to the sign on screen which still wouldn't accept my password.

Whoever designed these all-in-ones should be drawn and quartered. I kind of have it apart but there's some wire connecting the back to the screen and I have no clue where it's attached on either half. Without getting this open there's no way of accessing the CMOS battery or jumper.

 

[Lance1]

I ran across this PDF. Product End-of-Life Disassembly Instructions I don't know if this helps. I'll keep looking. Could you post a pic of that wire your talking about?

 

[Megahertz07]

The passwords will always be blank.
If you're using the Win password as power-on password, try to use it on the Old Password field and leave the New and confirm blank.

 

[boweasel]

The passwords will always be blank.
If you're using the Win password as power-on password, try to use it on the Old Password field and leave the New and confirm blank.

Ahhh...I never dreamed that the old power-on password would how up as blank. I assumed it would either display the password or (more likely) show up as asterisks. Entering the Win password and letting the new and confirm as blank got me to no longer display that blue screen. Unfortunately it no longer takes me to the Windows login screen. It now attempts to take me through the startup repair process. I get the 'loading files' bar, then a couple of quick command prompt flickers then just the blue-green repair background.

I'll let it set for a few hours and check later. And maybe it now will boot with the disk. Will post back. Thanks, guys. And Lance1, I guess there's no need of a picture since that power-on password seems to have gotten solved by Megahertz07. 'The passwords will always be blank'. Who knew?

 

[Megahertz07]

Glad one problem is over. Unfortunately now you have another.
Let us know if you need more help.

 

[boweasel]

Glad one problem is over. Unfortunately now you have another.
Let us know if you need more help.

I think this is in dire need of a new HDD or maybe the whole thing is a waste. When I put my W7 disk in the tray it fails to recognize it. When I put the disk in a CD-ROM reader and plug the reader into a USB port, it starts out okay, but eventually tells me that the disk fails to match the OS. It's a 64 bit Windows 7 Home Premium disk and the OS on this miserable Compaq is W7 Home 64. I give up, but thanks to all who chimed in.