Enter Primary Master HDD User password

Discussion in 'Software' started by abz1nthe, Jun 3, 2009.

  1. abz1nthe

    abz1nthe Command Sergeant Major

    Hello,

    So recently one of the teacher's dropped off a laptop from our wireless cart ( Acer TravelMate 3260 Windows XP) saying it was popping up with some error. When I turned it it loaded to a screen saying: "Enter Primary Master HDD Password [ ]"

    I can't get it to boot from any cd's,, I cant re-image it and I pretty much cannot do anything with it at all.

    Any idea how I resolve this issue? I did a quick google and one post said to contact the Acer manufacturer for the password so I called and they no longer do free support for laptops no longer under warrenty and I was directed to the website. I tryed the email support and got the same answer asking me to call there pay service which is 60 dollars for 30 minutes lol f-that.

    Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. I pondered removing the cmos battery too see if that would clear the message but I wanted to see if there was another way before I have to take it all apart.

    Thanks!

    Adam
     
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2009
  2. Serious Sam

    Serious Sam Corporal

    I've never heard of a way around that one, you won't even be able to slave it to get the data off of it with a HD password. The teacher would HAVE to know the password though otherwise they couldn't use it. Someone had to manually enter that p/w
     
  3. Drizzles

    Drizzles First Sergeant

    Could be a student playing a prank ... I'm not sure of any password programs that could get that either ... have you scrolled through MGs downloads section to check for such programs??
     
  4. abz1nthe

    abz1nthe Command Sergeant Major

    I do not know how they even got into it. All the computers were setup with deep freeze so even if they did mess with something it wouldn't retain it on a restart, or should i say it shouldn't.
     
  5. abz1nthe

    abz1nthe Command Sergeant Major

    Is this something that was preset by Acer or you think a student some how got in to set one?
     
  6. collinsl

    collinsl MajorGeek

    This sounds like a system start up password, commonly accessed through the BIOS. Are the BIOSes on your computers password protected?

    I would think that resetting the CMOS should solve this issue.
     
  7. abz1nthe

    abz1nthe Command Sergeant Major

    alrighty ya that was my last resort because it's such a pain taking the laptop apart :p I'll give it a shot and let you guys know.

    Thanks a bunch!

    -Adam
     

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