hdd password

toshiba laptop..can the hdd built in password be recovered or overwrittenhttp://forums.majorgeeks.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

Please provide model number.

 

it is a sattelite L300 with awestern digita sata drive..sorry about that and thanks for replyinghttp://forums.majorgeeks.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

Where is there a Password? on the windows login screen? If thats the case PClogin, or ophcracker, will do the trick if you have access to another CPU. DL program, burn to disk and have the locked CPU boot to disc, and BING... Your in. Both programs are free courtsey of the geeks. :major

 

I think in this case a hard drive password has been set up that requires input before the OS begins to load, as in it is a BIOS controlled password.

 

thanks guys will try these or go down fighting

 

If the PW is in the bios, you could try to take the little watch batteries out of your motherboard, and leave it out for a few (10) min, and most bios' will reset themselves.

 

and if the password is in the hdd, then replace the hard drive because you won't be getting past that kind of security because it was designed to deter laptop theft. bios related passwords are usually found in desktops now-a-days because it's not as commonly stolen as are the portable laptops. I've always been able to boot into a "live cd" (I recommend 'puppy' linux) You won't be able to mount that hdd or save you settings onto it or reformat it. But you will be able to do so on any external hhd, or usb, or sd card because those are not password protected. Therefore, by replacing the password-locked internal hhd, with a different non-password-locked hard drive... well you get it.

I am only 99% sure of this being the only method aside from spending stupid bucks for some company to "maybe" unlock it for you - they'll take weeks just to tell you they can't. Cheaper and quicker to replace the hard drive.