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  1. #1
    DF Super Moderator
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    PC Acer BIOS HDD Password problem

    Given this laptop yesterday from a customer (Acer Aspire 5000).

    He setup the passwords in the BIOS about a year ago and has forgotten what they are! Since then, the HDD has failed.

    I managed to clear the Supervisor and User passwords using unlock6.exe, but have struggled trying to unlock the HDD Password.

    I've read up that the only way to remove this password is by calling Acer with the HDD Master ID and proof of purchase and they can generate a unlock password and costs £55 for the privilege.

    Anyone has experience with this issue and whats the deal when trying to solve it?
    Last edited by DejaVu; 11th May 2011 at 12:48 PM.


  2. #2
    DF VIP Member Possy_99's Avatar
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    Default Re: Acer BIOS HDD Password problem

    funny enough I just had the same problem from a customer, BIOS password on a Toshiba A100.. managed to bypass BIOS password then it prompted for HDD password.. just swapped hard drive in the end - the thing is the password is actually on the drive itself so won't work on any other pc/laptop either.. but on the plus side, it's not stored on the laptop so replace HDD and all will be good..

    i don't think there's an app which deals with this kind of password tbh.. heard others suggesting replacing the circuit board but then you'd need to look for a 100% identical drive..


    ..but if the HDD has failed.. just replace and away you go
    Last edited by Possy_99; 11th May 2011 at 12:51 PM.
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  3. #3
    DF Super Moderator
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    Default Re: Acer BIOS HDD Password problem

    I've swapped the drive (because the original one failed) and now it's locked the new one with the password too!


  4. #4
    DF VIP Member Possy_99's Avatar
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    Default Re: Acer BIOS HDD Password problem

    dam, not very nice setting password on new hardware without even such a thing as a confirmation prompt..

    if you've managed to clear the BIOS password then I would have thought it would have cleared the full CMOS - which would be all of the BIOS settings.. but I was under the impression HDD passwords are on the HDD itself (hense if you try hard drive on another pc the password is still present) not part of the BIOS.. weird..


    ..gonna be one of those days I feel, lol.. bloody laptops.. grr!
    Sent from my PC using a keyboard

  5. #5
    DF Super Moderator
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    Default Re: Acer BIOS HDD Password problem

    I've even reflashed the Bios without the HDD in with Hiren's Boot CD (from Dos), yet the bloody password thing still remains.

    This says to me it's set the ATA Password before the BIOS was flashed. I dont want to go putting another drive in now though, incase it does it again!


  6. #6
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    Default Re: Acer BIOS HDD Password problem

    Dejavu i had this problem about two months ago with a d255 acer 1 were you sent me the manual to reset the bios as it was passworded (insyde h20) i found the manual to be actualy for a d150 not the 250/255 manual required , what i did was to short the batt terminats on power up this cleared the bios p.w. but there was also a p.w on the hdd just a simple swap out sorted this , hence if i remember correctly the manual said there were two pads on the board that were cmos reset but that refered to the d150 motherboard and not the 255 , so i figured it was worth a shot shorting them at the battery terminals which worked for me hope this helps big3

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    Default Re: Acer BIOS HDD Password problem

    sorry disregard my first post as i didnt fully read the opening post big3

  8. #8
    DF Super Moderator
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    Default Re: Acer BIOS HDD Password problem

    Think I'm gonna just hand this one back as is and tell the customer he has to get the HDD Password removed, or remember what it is.
    (I really hate admitting defeat!!)

    If he cant, he'll have to fork out £55 with Acer to get it fixed.

    1 thing I do want to mention here is the fact there is a Malware program that activates this too and is real nasty!! Read about it here - http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12903

    There seems to be a place mentioned in that thread that claims to be able to unlock the ATA Password using the HDD Master ID for $20, http://www.acersnoop.co.cc/ I'm not sure about as it seems a bit of '2 bit' setup offering no refunds if it doesnt work.

    --EDIT--
    If the service manual for Acer Laptops is to believed, unlock6 is meant to be able to generate a master password to remove these Passwords using the 'System Halted' error code - but I tried and BIOS Supervisor worked, but it failed with the HDD Password.

    ie -
    unlock6 12345 0 (For BIOS)
    unlock6 12345 00 (for HDD)
    Last edited by DejaVu; 11th May 2011 at 02:11 PM.


  9. #9
    DF Probation Shimdidly's Avatar
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    Default Re: Acer BIOS HDD Password problem

    Where do I get unlock 6 from. I'm dealing with same issue on Acer iconia w510

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