Question on HDD Password in BIOS!

Rayzipan · Jan 6, 2011

Hi.

Has anyone had issues when using the BIOS HDD password? Is it only available on laptops?

When installing a new OS, will I have problems?

Thanks.

tgell · Jan 6, 2011

Hello,
If you decide to use the HDD password, just make sure you write it down and store it somewhere safe. I do not know how many people have said they have forgotten their HDD password and would like to know how to bypass it. Of course, quite of few of these might not be legit. I am pretty sure if your BIOS supports it, any computer can use a HDD password, desktop or laptop. Also, with the proper tools, albeit expensive, a person can easily defeat a ATA HDD password.

That being said. Since the HDD password is stored on the HDD itself, I would remove it before installing a new OS.

Available on most notebooks and some desktops. Prevents the drive from retrieving data unless the correct password is provided. Does not encrypt any data. Easily defeated but requires specific skills or hiring someone with those skills. Stronger than BIOS or OS passwords but still weak protection and not suitable for data worth more than $100.
Click to expand...

http://www.wwpi.com/?option=com_content&task=view&id=2669&Itemid=129

Caliban · Jan 6, 2011

You might take a look at this thread - apparently, HD passwords can be pretty tough to crack.

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Question on HDD Password in BIOS!

Rayzipan Specialist

tgell Major Geek Extraordinaire

Caliban I don't need no steenkin' title!