BIOS and Passwords
The BIOS explained
The Basic Input Output System (BIOS) of your machine ensures that all the other chips, hard drives, ports and CPU function together. Al machines in use today contain a central processing unit in the form of a microprocessor (the hardware component). The microprocessor executes a set of instructions embedded in software.
Apart from the obvious software on your machine like the Operating System (OS) which provides a set of services for the applications running on your machine and acts as the fundamental user interface (e.g. Windows, Linux, etc.) and other applications (Browsers, word processing, e-mail, etc.), the BIOS can also be viewed as a type of software your computer needs to operate successfully. It will not only load the operating system, but it also has other roles.
When your machine is turned on, the microprocessor gets to work by executing its first instruction which is provided by the BIOS. Other tasks performed by the BIOS is a Power On Self Test (POST) for all of the different hardware components in the system to make sure everything works properly. It also activates other BIOS chips (typically on SCSI cards, graphics cards, etc.) installed on ypur machine. It also provides low level routines that the OS uses to interface to different hardware devices (i.e. keyboard, screen, serial and parallel ports, etc.) when booting up. It also Manages a collection of settings for the hard disk(s) (i.e. clock) and it interfaces the major hardware components of your machine with the OS.
When you turn on your machine, the BIOS will check the CMOS Setup for custom settings, load the interrupt handlers and device drivers, initialize registers and power management, perform the power-on self-test (POST), display the system settings, determine the bootable devices available and then initiate the bootstrap sequence.
Configuring your BIOS
To enter the CMOS Setup, press the relevant key (normally displayed at the bottom of your boot up screen) and could be a certain key or combination of keys that has to be pressed during the initial startup sequence. It could typically be <Esc>, <F2>, <Ctrl+Esc>, <Ctrl+Alt+Esc>, etc.
Some configurable settings include
System Time/Date (set the system time and date)
Boot Sequence (Hdd, CD, USB, etc)
Security (set a bios or hardrive password)
Etc. (different options depending on your machine and the BIOS mounted)
Exit (save / discard your changes or restore default settings)
Warning: Incorrect settings may prevent your computer from booting.
Updating Your BIOS
Occasionally, a computer will need to have its BIOS updated. (especially true of older machines). As new devices and standards arise, the BIOS needs to change in order to understand the new hardware. Since the BIOS is stored in some form of ROM, changing it is a bit harder than upgrading most other types of software.
An outdated BIOS can have a significant effect on your machine's performance.
Warning: As with changes to the CMOS Setup, be careful when upgrading your BIOS. Make sure you are upgrading to a version that is compatible with your computer system. Otherwise, you could corrupt the BIOS, which means you won't be able to boot your computer. If in doubt, check with your computer manufacturer to be sure you need to upgrade.
BIOS Password recovery
DISCLAIMER
!!!!This article is intended only for IT Professionals and experienced systems administrators.
It is not intended for hackers or thieves attempting to dissable the passwords on stolen machines!!!!
Please do not attempt any of these procedures if you do not know what you re doing, and ensure that you use this information responsibly.
We can not be held responsible for the use or misuse of this information, including loss of data, damage to hardware, or personal injury.
Warning: If any of these processes are done incorrectly it may result in complete system failure or permanent system damage.
If you ARE able to boot your machine from a floppy or other device
Some Toshiba bios passwords can be reset using the Key Disk.exe utility. This solution is said to work on the following BIOS' and it also has the ability to restore, backup and erase/kill cmos
ACER/IBM BIOS
AMI BIOS
AMI WinBIOS 2.5
Award 4.5x/4.6x/6.0
Compaq (1992)
Compaq (New version)
IBM (PS/2, Activa, Thinkpad)
Packard Bell
Phoenix 1.00.09.AC0 (1994), a486 1.03, 1.04, 1.10 A03, 4.05 rev 1.02.943, 4.06 rev 1.13.1107
Phoenix 4 release 6 (User)
Gateway Solo - Phoenix 4.0 release 6
Toshiba
Zenith AMI
If you ARE NOT able to boot your machine from a floppy or other device
Backdoor passwords can sometimes be successful
For Award BIOS try these (case sensitive)
AWARD_SW | j262 | HLT | SER |
SKY_FOX | BIOSTAR | ALFAROME | Lkwpeter |
j256 | AWARD?SW | LKWPETER | syxz |
ALLy | 589589 | 589721 | awkward |
CONCAT | d8on | CONDO | j64 |
szyx | | | |
For AMI BIOS try these (case sensitive)
AMI | BIOS | PASSWORD | HEWITT RAND |
AMI?SW | AMI_SW | LKWPETER | A.M.I. |
CONDO | SW | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
For Phoenix BIOS try these (case sensitive)
phoenix | PHOENIX | CMOS | BIOS |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
If the backdoor passwords don't work, try a Parallel Loopback plug
You can easily build a parallel Loopback plug using this information.
This is a simple device that plugs into the parallel port of the machine and removes the password when you boot it up (does not work on certain models, like Toshiba's 1900 series laptops).
There is also a USB version available for the newer machines and both these can be purchased from http://www.pwcrack.com/index.shtmlTo make it you will have to get hold of an old parrallel printer cable or source a 25 pin DB25 plug.
Take the plug apart and join the pins as listed below using some old cable;
Join the following pins;
1, 5 & 10 ; 2 & 11 ; 3 & 17 ; 4 & 12 ; 6 & 16 ; 7 & 13 ; 8 & 14 ; 9 & 15 ; 18-25 (you can join 18 & 25 or 18 to 25, works in both cases)
Plug it into your parallel port and boot up your machine, the password should be removed as soon as it boots. Note: This will work on older Toshiba's (1994 – 2002) and only on ones that have a parallel port.
This method should work for the following Toshiba laptops:
Libretto 50-110, Portege 610-7220, Satellite 100-1800, Satellite 2060-5200, Satellite A10, A20, A40, Satellite Pro 400-6100, Tecra 500-9100, Tecra A1, A2, TE200, TE2100, Qosmio E10 and some other older Toshiba laptops.
It might not work for all the above Toshiba models, but it is worth trying.
This method will not work for the following Toshiba laptops:
Portege A100, M100, M200, R100, Satellite M30, Satellite Pro M10, M15, Tecra M1 and M2, Satellite 1900, 1905, 1955, A30, A70, A75, M30X, M35X, P10, P15, P25 and some other older laptops.