| Author |
Message |
Papa
Guest
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 Posted:
Fri Aug 06, 2004 9:43 pm Post subject:
Laptop hard drive passwords |
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In a thread under a newsgroup in an Earthlink server, an argument has been
going on as to whether or not a laptop hard drive can be reformatted if it
has a password assigned that has been misplaced or forgotten. Can a laptop
hard drive be formatted if it has a password that no one knows?
Here is what one guy said in that thread:
"The answer is no, if you don't have the
password (or successfully somehow bypass it), the drive is totally
non-functional. It can't be used at all, for any purpose whatsoever, it
can't even be reformatted. The hard drive password scheme places data
security above absolutely everything else. After a power-up or reset,
the drive is totally non-functional until the proper password is
entered, it isn't even recognized by the bios." END OF QUOTE
Is this true? |
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David J. Craig
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Aug 06, 2004 10:40 pm Post subject:
Re: Laptop hard drive passwords |
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With the information given, how can anyone advise? What computer? Bios
maker and version? Is the password entered into a prompt by the Bios or
some security software? If you take the drive and put it into a desktop as
a secondary drive, can you see valid data on the drive or is it encrypted?
Ask the vendor for specifics.
"Papa" <bikingis@my.fun> wrote in message
news:OJGCmz9eEHA.2560@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
| Quote: | In a thread under a newsgroup in an Earthlink server, an argument has been
going on as to whether or not a laptop hard drive can be reformatted if it
has a password assigned that has been misplaced or forgotten. Can a laptop
hard drive be formatted if it has a password that no one knows?
Here is what one guy said in that thread:
"The answer is no, if you don't have the
password (or successfully somehow bypass it), the drive is totally
non-functional. It can't be used at all, for any purpose whatsoever, it
can't even be reformatted. The hard drive password scheme places data
security above absolutely everything else. After a power-up or reset,
the drive is totally non-functional until the proper password is
entered, it isn't even recognized by the bios." END OF QUOTE
Is this true?
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Papa
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Aug 06, 2004 11:16 pm Post subject:
Re: Laptop hard drive passwords |
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The discussion, as I said, was about laptops in general - any brand, any
laptop based BIOS. As far as removing the HD and putting it into a desktop,
the claim was that even then it would not be possible to view the data,
would not be possible to reformat it, or anything else. I find that very
hard to believe.
"David J. Craig" <SeniorDriversWriter@shogunyoshimuni.com.net> wrote in
message news:%23f61cT%23eEHA.2916@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
| Quote: | With the information given, how can anyone advise? What computer? Bios
maker and version? Is the password entered into a prompt by the Bios or
some security software? If you take the drive and put it into a desktop
as
a secondary drive, can you see valid data on the drive or is it encrypted?
Ask the vendor for specifics.
"Papa" <bikingis@my.fun> wrote in message
news:OJGCmz9eEHA.2560@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
In a thread under a newsgroup in an Earthlink server, an argument has
been
going on as to whether or not a laptop hard drive can be reformatted if
it
has a password assigned that has been misplaced or forgotten. Can a
laptop
hard drive be formatted if it has a password that no one knows?
Here is what one guy said in that thread:
"The answer is no, if you don't have the
password (or successfully somehow bypass it), the drive is totally
non-functional. It can't be used at all, for any purpose whatsoever, it
can't even be reformatted. The hard drive password scheme places data
security above absolutely everything else. After a power-up or reset,
the drive is totally non-functional until the proper password is
entered, it isn't even recognized by the bios." END OF QUOTE
Is this true?
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David J. Craig
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Aug 06, 2004 11:55 pm Post subject:
Re: Laptop hard drive passwords |
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It may be or not. I don't have a notebook, but I know of software that will
not permit it to work if the drive was moved. You can then format the drive
by erasing all data and then reinstall in the notebook and use the recovery
CDs or an OS CD.
"Papa" <bikingis@my.fun> wrote in message
news:OBdpcn%23eEHA.332@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
| Quote: | The discussion, as I said, was about laptops in general - any brand, any
laptop based BIOS. As far as removing the HD and putting it into a
desktop,
the claim was that even then it would not be possible to view the data,
would not be possible to reformat it, or anything else. I find that very
hard to believe.
"David J. Craig" <SeniorDriversWriter@shogunyoshimuni.com.net> wrote in
message news:%23f61cT%23eEHA.2916@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
With the information given, how can anyone advise? What computer? Bios
maker and version? Is the password entered into a prompt by the Bios or
some security software? If you take the drive and put it into a desktop
as
a secondary drive, can you see valid data on the drive or is it
encrypted?
Ask the vendor for specifics.
"Papa" <bikingis@my.fun> wrote in message
news:OJGCmz9eEHA.2560@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
In a thread under a newsgroup in an Earthlink server, an argument has
been
going on as to whether or not a laptop hard drive can be reformatted
if
it
has a password assigned that has been misplaced or forgotten. Can a
laptop
hard drive be formatted if it has a password that no one knows?
Here is what one guy said in that thread:
"The answer is no, if you don't have the
password (or successfully somehow bypass it), the drive is totally
non-functional. It can't be used at all, for any purpose whatsoever,
it
can't even be reformatted. The hard drive password scheme places data
security above absolutely everything else. After a power-up or reset,
the drive is totally non-functional until the proper password is
entered, it isn't even recognized by the bios." END OF QUOTE
Is this true?
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Papa
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Aug 07, 2004 12:03 am Post subject:
Re: Laptop hard drive passwords |
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Thanks, David, but laptops are a lot different than desktops. I was looking
for a more definitive answer. Those participating in that other NG are
saying that you simply cannot format such a drive, or do anything else with
it, if it is password protected.
Anyone else? |
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David J. Craig
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Aug 07, 2004 1:22 am Post subject:
Re: Laptop hard drive passwords |
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Guess you just can't provide specifics. Yes, it would be possible to key
the hard drive to one system where all data was encrypted via the Bios, but
getting Windows to work with it would be difficult and painful. It might be
useful for certain businesses or the government, but not likely a home user
would buy one that could do this. If I tell you I have a bridge in Brooklyn
for sale, would you believe me? Just because 'someone(s)' says something
doesn't make it true. How can IBM, Dell, HP/Compaq, Toshiba, Gateway, etc.
ever replace a failed hard drive? While I could design such a system, I
sure don't think there is a market to support it. KISS is still the first
rule for consumer computers.
"Papa" <bikingis@my.fun> wrote in message
news:O%23aizB$eEHA.2824@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
| Quote: | Thanks, David, but laptops are a lot different than desktops. I was
looking
for a more definitive answer. Those participating in that other NG are
saying that you simply cannot format such a drive, or do anything else
with
it, if it is password protected.
Anyone else?
|
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Papa
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Aug 07, 2004 1:30 am Post subject:
Re: Laptop hard drive passwords |
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Please stay off this thread unless you really know something about laptops.
Thanks. |
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Doug Baker
Guest
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| Posted:
Tue Aug 10, 2004 4:10 pm Post subject:
Re: Laptop hard drive passwords |
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They're referring to a hard-drive password, versus the BIOS password. (the
BIOS password is easy to defeat, by resetting the BIOS or mounting the drive
in another machine.)
If it's an HDD password, that's different. There are services which will
address the situation, so obviously it's *possible* but not easy:
http://www.nortek.on.ca/hdd_pw.html#HDD
I don't know of any non-commerical tools/methods to defeat the password.
Doug
"Papa" <bikingis@my.fun> wrote in message
news:O%23aizB$eEHA.2824@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
| Quote: | Thanks, David, but laptops are a lot different than desktops. I was
looking
for a more definitive answer. Those participating in that other NG are
saying that you simply cannot format such a drive, or do anything else
with
it, if it is password protected.
Anyone else?
|
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Tom Stewart
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Aug 10, 2004 4:59 pm Post subject:
Re: Laptop hard drive passwords |
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Well, I know you're going to piss all over me because I "don't know anything about laptops"
but think about the following sentence:
"After a power-up or reset, the drive is totally non-functional until the proper password is
entered, it isn't even recognized by the bios."
If it isn't recognized by the bios, what's going to enable it? It can't very well enable
itself. The BIOS is in charge until the computer starts executing the boot sector from the
boot drive. Where's the password prompt coming from? I have a hard time accepting this
statement.
--
Tom
"Papa" <bikingis@my.fun> wrote in message news:OJGCmz9eEHA.2560@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
| Quote: | In a thread under a newsgroup in an Earthlink server, an argument has been
going on as to whether or not a laptop hard drive can be reformatted if it
has a password assigned that has been misplaced or forgotten. Can a laptop
hard drive be formatted if it has a password that no one knows?
Here is what one guy said in that thread:
"The answer is no, if you don't have the
password (or successfully somehow bypass it), the drive is totally
non-functional. It can't be used at all, for any purpose whatsoever, it
can't even be reformatted. The hard drive password scheme places data
security above absolutely everything else. After a power-up or reset,
the drive is totally non-functional until the proper password is
entered, it isn't even recognized by the bios." END OF QUOTE
Is this true?
|
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| Back to top |
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Papa
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Aug 10, 2004 6:54 pm Post subject:
Re: Laptop hard drive passwords |
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Makes sense. Thanks.
"Tom Stewart" <tastewar@newsgroups.nospam> wrote in message
news:elxzkntfEHA.2544@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
| Quote: | Well, I know you're going to piss all over me because I "don't know
anything about laptops"
but think about the following sentence:
"After a power-up or reset, the drive is totally non-functional until the
proper password is
entered, it isn't even recognized by the bios."
If it isn't recognized by the bios, what's going to enable it? It can't
very well enable
itself. The BIOS is in charge until the computer starts executing the boot
sector from the
boot drive. Where's the password prompt coming from? I have a hard time
accepting this
statement.
--
Tom
"Papa" <bikingis@my.fun> wrote in message
news:OJGCmz9eEHA.2560@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
In a thread under a newsgroup in an Earthlink server, an argument has
been
going on as to whether or not a laptop hard drive can be reformatted if
it
has a password assigned that has been misplaced or forgotten. Can a
laptop
hard drive be formatted if it has a password that no one knows?
Here is what one guy said in that thread:
"The answer is no, if you don't have the
password (or successfully somehow bypass it), the drive is totally
non-functional. It can't be used at all, for any purpose whatsoever, it
can't even be reformatted. The hard drive password scheme places data
security above absolutely everything else. After a power-up or reset,
the drive is totally non-functional until the proper password is
entered, it isn't even recognized by the bios." END OF QUOTE
Is this true?
|
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| Back to top |
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Papa
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Aug 10, 2004 6:55 pm Post subject:
Re: Laptop hard drive passwords |
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Thanks for the very detailed response. Much appreciated.
"Doug Baker" <dbaker@wesleyan.spamkill.edu> wrote in message
news:OVKtRMtfEHA.3556@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
| Quote: | They're referring to a hard-drive password, versus the BIOS password. (the
BIOS password is easy to defeat, by resetting the BIOS or mounting the
drive
in another machine.)
If it's an HDD password, that's different. There are services which will
address the situation, so obviously it's *possible* but not easy:
http://www.nortek.on.ca/hdd_pw.html#HDD
I don't know of any non-commerical tools/methods to defeat the password.
Doug
"Papa" <bikingis@my.fun> wrote in message
news:O%23aizB$eEHA.2824@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
Thanks, David, but laptops are a lot different than desktops. I was
looking
for a more definitive answer. Those participating in that other NG are
saying that you simply cannot format such a drive, or do anything else
with
it, if it is password protected.
Anyone else?
|
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| Back to top |
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Phil Barila
Guest
|
| Posted:
Mon Aug 23, 2004 9:34 am Post subject:
Re: Laptop hard drive passwords |
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|
"Tom Stewart" <tastewar@newsgroups.nospam> wrote in message
news:elxzkntfEHA.2544@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
| Quote: | Well, I know you're going to piss all over me because I "don't know
anything about laptops"
but think about the following sentence:
"After a power-up or reset, the drive is totally non-functional until the
proper password is
entered, it isn't even recognized by the bios."
If it isn't recognized by the bios, what's going to enable it? It can't
very well enable
itself. The BIOS is in charge until the computer starts executing the boot
sector from the
boot drive. Where's the password prompt coming from? I have a hard time
accepting this
statement.
|
Did any of you speculators think to look at the ATA spec for the ATA
SECURITY command set documentation? It's pretty clear, and it's almost
exactly as the OP describes, with very minor detail differences.
On the other branch of this thread, someone mentioned that there are
services that will recover data protected by a hard disk password. I'm not
familiar with such services, but it's certainly possible to recover a lost
password through brute force methods, since the retry counter resets after a
power cycle. Programatic power control isn't rocket science...
Phil
--
Philip D. Barila Windows DDK MVP
Seagate Technology LLC
(720) 684-1842
As if I need to say it: Not speaking for Seagate.
E-mail address is pointed at a domain squatter. Use reply-to instead. |
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AllKnowing1
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Sep 11, 2004 2:49 am Post subject:
Re: Laptop hard drive passwords |
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Papa wrote:
| Quote: | *In a thread under a newsgroup in an Earthlink server, an argumen
has been
going on as to whether or not a laptop hard drive can be reformatte
if it
has a password assigned that has been misplaced or forgotten. Can
laptop
hard drive be formatted if it has a password that no one knows?
Here is what one guy said in that thread:
"The answer is no, if you don't have the
password (or successfully somehow bypass it), the drive is totally
non-functional. It can't be used at all, for any purpose whatsoever
it
can't even be reformatted. The hard drive password scheme place
data
security above absolutely everything else. After a power-up o
reset,
the drive is totally non-functional until the proper password is
entered, it isn't even recognized by the bios." END OF QUOTE
Is this true? *
|
Here's the straight scoop, I am a tech with a certain "blue" compan
that will go unamed(but if you have any knowledge you'll know who
mean) now regarding the hard drive password it IS NOT the same as th
power on password, while it is initially set in the BIOS like the powe
on password it is encoded into the firmware of the drive, it WILL NO
clear by resetting the BIOS, you can take the CMOS battery out all da
long, makes no difference to the HD. Laptop manufacturers have n
officially supported way of removing this password once it is set, I'v
seen ads for some data recovery companies who say they can remove i
but have never seen it done & I am skeptical of their claims. Botto
line is if you set a Hard Disk password DO NOT FORGET IT, if you do yo
can pretty much forget about any data you had on that drive. Also fo
those out there who think that if you boot a system with a non passwor
protected drive and a password protected drive the password wil
automatically apply itself to the non protected drive, YOU'RE WRONG
the password can only be manually set through the BIOS
-
AllKnowing
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