Guide to Bios Password Generators for Dell, Acer and others

[edgsam]

This is an update to earlier post.
It is frustrating to be confronted with a forgetting password (I know, been there) and it’s easy to post your problem on a forum and hope someone helps. But with just a little work you can cure it yourself. Well maybe, sadly passwords for many newer laptops cannot be generated yet.

There are several password generators on the web that work great. The confusion starts with how to use them and what to do with the password once it’s generated.

I’ll try to keep this guide as simple as possible.

You should read Dogberts Blog (the guru of password generators). Not necessary but it has the basic information you need.
Dogbert's Blog: BIOS Password Backdoors in Laptops

There are some very smart people that have combined all the generators into one. Can’t list them all but here’s the two I normally use.

BIOS Password
http://bios-pw.org/

First, Dell owners by aware that free generators do NOT work for the following: Service tags ending with -3A5B, -1D3B, -1F5A, PPID #s and System disabled codes that are larger than 5 digits

Dell by service tag

When a rude screen pops up saying it is protected by a password for Service Tag # (example: 1A2BC34-595B), This is a bios password. Will be 7 char with 4 char suffix. Enter that into generator using all capital letters. Click Generate and use password listed under “Dell by serial number”. Can do the same with hard drive passwords (example: ***12AB34C5-595B) Notice it has 11 char with 4 char suffix. If it displays stars then use them. If it has a suffix of -1D3B or -1F5A, then you’re out of luck. They are to new and the free generates will not work yet.

Important Input instructions: Passwords are for QWERTY keyboard only (standard US). Case sensitive. Some units only require pressing <enter> after password, some require pressing <ctrl>+<enter> after password and some require holding down <ctrl> while pressing <enter> once or twice.


Dell, Acer and some others with generic Phoenix bios

If you get a plain screen that just says Enter Password then enter 3 wrong passwords and a System Disabled code will pop up(example: 12345). Don’t worry, just shut down computer, restart and the disabled thing goes away. Now enter that number into generator, click Generate. Write down the top password generated. Click Generate several times (maybe 5,6 or more times) and write down password after each time. Try each password on your machine until you hit one that works by entering password and pressing <enter>. The same can be done for hard drive password, be aware that it does not always work for hard drives.


Sony

READ Dogberts Blog above. First you should know the free generators will not work for the new “One Time passwords”. On older models, enter the last 7 digits of serial number, click Generate. Enter password on the machine and click <enter>.

HP and Compaq

READ Dogberts Blog above. For older models enter 3 wrong passwords to receive code. Some models only show the code if the F2 or F12 key has been pressed prior to entering an invalid password for the last time. Type that code into generator, click Generate to receive password. Enter that password on machine then press <enter>. For some newer models a hardware solution is posted here:
6550b BIOS password chip replacment. - HP Support Forum - 2644701

Fujitsu-Siemens

READ Dogberts Blog above. Use dogberts methods to receive code (varies by model). Some models require entering three special passwords to get code. Type code into generator, click Generate to get password. Enter password into machine then press <enter>. If all else fails here’s some more Dogbert wisdom for Amilo models.
Dogbert's Blog

Toshiba

Generators will not work on Toshiba. Several models can be reset by shorting out two small pads on motherboard. Normally these pads are under or near ram chips. May have to remove ram and/or some insulating plastic.

Asus Eee

Generators will not work. But several models have two small triangle pads under ram chip that can be shorted out to reset password


That's it for now, if you have any additional info to add please do so.