Clearing BIOS Passwords - Was - What is a safe way to clean corrosion?

[Doug Jackson - pesonal email]

Mark

I had a Digital laptop a couple of years ago that somebody gave me that has a BIOS password.  

The configuration data including password was stored in a 24C01 8 pin NV memory chip.  I searched for a solution without success, and eventually did the following.

1. With a 12" (30CM) lead, tie the serial data line of the memory chip to ground, pass the cable out of the computer case as a loop, and re-assemble the case.

2. Power on the device - Gosh - The machine believes that the memory chip is full of zeroes, so the configuration is invalid.

3. Access the setup utility.

4. Using sidecutters, open the link from the data line to ground (thats why I used 12" of wire).

5.  Make the required configuration changes and save a new default password.

Nothing beats a brute force hardware solution when the vendor wants you to use a convoluted USB key or "link the secret pads" solution.....

Hope that this is helpful.



-- 
Doug Jackson, I-RAP, MAIPM, MIEEE

Principal Information Security Consultant
EWA-AUSTRALIA
PO Box 6308 O'Connor ACT 2602
Level 1, 214 Northbourne Ave, Braddon ACT 2612
 
Tel: +61 (0)2 6230 6833
Fax: +61 (0)2 6230 5833
Mob: +61 (0)414 986 878

http://www.ewa-australia.com


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