Re: [OFFTOPIC] BIOS Password defeat SOLVED!
Hello there, Success in defeating the password! It was not that easy: Many of you wrote, that I should pull out the CMOS-battery. So I looked for one, but there was nothing on that board, which looked like a battery. So I copied the little program from Miroslav, which corrupts the checksum of the CMOS to my Harddisk, unplugged it and plugged it into this motherboard. But unfortunately the system even had a boot password on it. So no way. But there was an IC on the board, that was a little larger than the others, so I thougt, it might perhaps contain a battery. It was labelled: benchmarq bq3287AMT. So I did a little search on the web about this, and bingo: It is a RTC unit with builtin CMOS and battery. (For further information: http://www.benchmarq.com/prod/bq3287.html). I found some additional information at http://users.powernet.co.uk/sysserv/page126.html It says, that you should shortcut pin 12 and pin 21 with power off to clear CMOS. Unfortunately, the socket had pin 21 removed, so I could make no connection. So I pulled the IC out and shortcutted them. When I booted again: Enter Password: So I thought, might need a longer time to clear CMOS. Left it standing connected. No way, I booted: Enter password: So I made a little connector out of a piece of aluminum foil and put it into the empty pin 21 connector of the IC-socket, put the IC in and connected via this connector. No way. Last chance was to use brute force. So I left the pins connected and put the computer ON. And guess what: It worked. It said: CMOS-battery low, replace and run Setup. So I removed the connector again. On the next boot it said: CMOS-checksum corrupted, run Setup So I ran it, and from now on everything worked fine. I will contact the maintainer of the webpage mentioned above, that it doesn't work with power off, and that the power should be on. Long mail, but I hope it helps, that if anybody ever encounters such a chip on his board he or she doesn't have to fight such a hard struggle. Regards, Daniel P.S.: Thanks for all the replies, although none of them did the trick, I at least got some ideas on where to start. I [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I found a pretty nice 486 PCI-motherboard in the bulk waste last week, which I would like to use as secondary computer with debian. The board is working, but unfortunately, it was setup in a way that you can only boot from harddisk, and shadow RAM was enabled. So I tried to change the settings, but the preliminary user has installed a Setup-Password, so that I can't access the BIOS. I know, that there are ways to get around this, but I don't know how to do it in this special case. So does anybody know where to find the necessary information? Is there a tool for Linux or DOS to access and change BIOS-settings (I could plugin the harddisk from another computer and try to boot into Linux or use the small DOS-partition I have on this disk). Or is there some kind of cheat password, which will always work? The BIOS is a Phoenix version 4.04.
Re: [OFFTOPIC] BIOS Password defeat
Some BIOSes allow you to flush them by holding down the INS key on boot. However, I find the most reliable method is to deprive the CMOS of power. There's a little watch battery on the motherboard, if you power off your computer and carefully remove the battery for about 60 seconds, all the information in the CMOS should evapourate into the aether. Then, you can put the battery back in and power on your computer again. The BIOS password should now be gone and you'll have to reset all your BIOS settings. Be warned, you hard disk geometry will also disappear, so you'd better have that information handy. You may find it sitting on a label on your physical hard disk. On Tue, 8 Aug 2000, Ethan Pierce wrote: Danel, Try unplugging the unit, and removing the battery. When you pop it back in, it should reset the defaults for the motherboard BIOS settings. Daniel Reuter [EMAIL PROTECTED] 08/08/00 09:25AM Hello there, I found a pretty nice 486 PCI-motherboard in the bulk waste last week, which I would like to use as secondary computer with debian. The board is working, but unfortunately, it was setup in a way that you can only boot from harddisk, and shadow RAM was enabled. So I tried to change the settings, but the preliminary user has installed a Setup-Password, so that I can't access the BIOS. I know, that there are ways to get around this, but I don't know how to do it in this special case. So does anybody know where to find the necessary information? Is there a tool for Linux or DOS to access and change BIOS-settings (I could plugin the harddisk from another computer and try to boot into Linux or use the small DOS-partition I have on this disk). Or is there some kind of cheat password, which will always work? The BIOS is a Phoenix version 4.04. Regards, Daniel -- Unsubscribe? mail -s unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] /dev/null -- Unsubscribe? mail -s unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] /dev/null
Re: [OFFTOPIC] BIOS Password defeat
Most motherboards have a simple jumper to clear the CMOS memory. See if you can find the manual on the net somewhere. Peter. Simon Law wrote: Some BIOSes allow you to flush them by holding down the INS key on boot. However, I find the most reliable method is to deprive the CMOS of power. There's a little watch battery on the motherboard, if you power off your computer and carefully remove the battery for about 60 seconds, all the information in the CMOS should evapourate into the aether. Then, you can put the battery back in and power on your computer again. The BIOS password should now be gone and you'll have to reset all your BIOS settings. Be warned, you hard disk geometry will also disappear, so you'd better have that information handy. You may find it sitting on a label on your physical hard disk. On Tue, 8 Aug 2000, Ethan Pierce wrote: Danel, Try unplugging the unit, and removing the battery. When you pop it back in, it should reset the defaults for the motherboard BIOS settings.
Re: [OFFTOPIC] BIOS Password defeat
Have a look at: http://www.pwcrack.com/BIOS/bios.html (Sorry, don't have the original posting so I replied to this one) c'ya flo On Sat, Aug 12, 2000 at 04:27:36AM -0400, Simon Law wrote: (...) better have that information handy. You may find it sitting on a label on your physical hard disk. On Tue, 8 Aug 2000, Ethan Pierce wrote: (...) password, which will always work? The BIOS is a Phoenix version 4.04. -- Florian Friesdorf [EMAIL PROTECTED] OpenPGP key available on public key servers -- Save the future of Open Source -- - Online-Petition against Software Patents - -- http://petition.eurolinux.org --- pgpOgzGSkpall.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: [OFFTOPIC] BIOS Password defeat
If the other methods mentioned fail, BIOS's usually have generic passwards that unlock them no matter what password is set (v useful - if the case is padlocked together at uni ;) ). Try searching on the internet for the BIOS type + crack or something similar. Hello there, I found a pretty nice 486 PCI-motherboard in the bulk waste last week, which I would like to use as secondary computer with debian. The board is working, but unfortunately, it was setup in a way that you can only boot from harddisk, and shadow RAM was enabled. So I tried to change the settings, but the preliminary user has installed a Setup-Password, so that I can't access the BIOS. I know, that there are ways to get around this, but I don't know how to do it in this special case. So does anybody know where to find the necessary information? Is there a tool for Linux or DOS to access and change BIOS-settings (I could plugin the harddisk from another computer and try to boot into Linux or use the small DOS-partition I have on this disk). Or is there some kind of cheat password, which will always work? The BIOS is a Phoenix version 4.04. Regards, Daniel Today people in droves hurry up past Heumoz to Villars on the road to the ski hills, so they can rush down them as fast as possible, so they can hurry up again in order to rush down again. In a way this is funny,... Francis A Schaeffer David Purton http://www.chariot.net.au/~dcpurton/ [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [OFFTOPIC] BIOS Password defeat
Just pull out the CMOS battery and refix it. Once the CMOS info is totally wiped out, the passwords would have gone too, afterall the info is kept in the CMOS and not the BIOS. It is admitedly a crude method, but works. Needs no tools besides your screw driver and nifty fingers! USM Bish On Tue, 08 Aug 2000, Daniel Reuter wrote: Hello there, I found a pretty nice 486 PCI-motherboard in the bulk waste last week, which I would like to use as secondary computer with debian. The board is working, but unfortunately, it was setup in a way that you can only boot from harddisk, and shadow RAM was enabled. So I tried to change the settings, but the preliminary user has installed a Setup-Password, so that I can't access the BIOS. I know, that there are ways to get around this, but I don't know how to do it in this special case. So does anybody know where to find the necessary information? Is there a tool for Linux or DOS to access and change BIOS-settings (I could plugin the harddisk from another computer and try to boot into Linux or use the small DOS-partition I have on this disk). Or is there some kind of cheat password, which will always work? The BIOS is a Phoenix version 4.04. Regards, Daniel -- Unsubscribe? mail -s unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] /dev/null -- : - Its a BishMail :-) - :
[OFFTOPIC] BIOS Password defeat
Hello there, I found a pretty nice 486 PCI-motherboard in the bulk waste last week, which I would like to use as secondary computer with debian. The board is working, but unfortunately, it was setup in a way that you can only boot from harddisk, and shadow RAM was enabled. So I tried to change the settings, but the preliminary user has installed a Setup-Password, so that I can't access the BIOS. I know, that there are ways to get around this, but I don't know how to do it in this special case. So does anybody know where to find the necessary information? Is there a tool for Linux or DOS to access and change BIOS-settings (I could plugin the harddisk from another computer and try to boot into Linux or use the small DOS-partition I have on this disk). Or is there some kind of cheat password, which will always work? The BIOS is a Phoenix version 4.04. Regards, Daniel
Re: [OFFTOPIC] BIOS Password defeat
Danel, Try unplugging the unit, and removing the battery. When you pop it back in, it should reset the defaults for the motherboard BIOS settings. Daniel Reuter [EMAIL PROTECTED] 08/08/00 09:25AM Hello there, I found a pretty nice 486 PCI-motherboard in the bulk waste last week, which I would like to use as secondary computer with debian. The board is working, but unfortunately, it was setup in a way that you can only boot from harddisk, and shadow RAM was enabled. So I tried to change the settings, but the preliminary user has installed a Setup-Password, so that I can't access the BIOS. I know, that there are ways to get around this, but I don't know how to do it in this special case. So does anybody know where to find the necessary information? Is there a tool for Linux or DOS to access and change BIOS-settings (I could plugin the harddisk from another computer and try to boot into Linux or use the small DOS-partition I have on this disk). Or is there some kind of cheat password, which will always work? The BIOS is a Phoenix version 4.04. Regards, Daniel -- Unsubscribe? mail -s unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] /dev/null
Re: [OFFTOPIC] BIOS Password defeat
Daniel Reuter [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hello there, I found a pretty nice 486 PCI-motherboard in the bulk waste last week, which I would like to use as secondary computer with debian. The board is working, but unfortunately, it was setup in a way that you can only boot from harddisk, and shadow RAM was enabled. So I tried to change the settings, but the preliminary user has installed a Setup-Password, so that I can't access the BIOS. I know, that there are ways to get around this, but I don't know how to do it in this special case. So does anybody know where to find the necessary information? Is there a tool for Linux or DOS to access and change BIOS-settings (I could plugin the harddisk from another computer and try to boot into Linux or use the small DOS-partition I have on this disk). Or is there some kind of cheat password, which will always work? The BIOS is a Phoenix version 4.04. There may be more elegant ways, but you always could pull out the CMOS-Battery, wait 20 minutes and put it in again. Be careful it may be soldered. Andre
Re: [OFFTOPIC] BIOS Password defeat
Quoting Daniel Reuter ([EMAIL PROTECTED]): Hello there, I found a pretty nice 486 PCI-motherboard in the bulk waste last week, which I would like to use as secondary computer with debian. The board is working, but unfortunately, it was setup in a way that you can only boot from harddisk, and shadow RAM was enabled. So I tried to change the settings, but the preliminary user has installed a Setup-Password, so that I can't access the BIOS. I know, that there are ways to get around this, but I don't know how to do it in this special case. So does anybody know where to find the necessary information? Is there a tool for Linux or DOS to access and change BIOS-settings (I could plugin the harddisk from another computer and try to boot into Linux or use the small DOS-partition I have on this disk). Or is there some kind of cheat password, which will always work? The BIOS is a Phoenix version 4.04. Usually there's a jumper which you add, power on, off again, and remove. The problem is finding it. You might be able to find out the mobo type from http://www.ping.be/bios particularly if there's a number displayed when you boot, like (C) American Megatrends Inc., 40-0101-021291-0010-060691-OPWBSX-F (This particular board clearly marks which one with 1-2: CLEAR CMOS 2-3: NORMAL) Disconnecting the battery will work, though you lose the entire CMOS setup. But I suppose the defaults ought to work. Cheers, -- Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel: +44 1908 653 739 Fax: +44 1908 655 151 Snail: David Wright, Earth Science Dept., Milton Keynes, England, MK7 6AA Disclaimer: These addresses are only for reaching me, and do not signify official stationery. Views expressed here are either my own or plagiarised.
RE: [OFFTOPIC] BIOS Password defeat
On 08-Aug-2000 Daniel Reuter wrote:
Hello there,
I found a pretty nice 486 PCI-motherboard in the bulk waste last week,
which I would like to use as secondary computer with debian. The board is
working, but unfortunately, it was setup in a way that you can only boot
from harddisk, and shadow RAM was enabled. So I tried to change the
settings, but the preliminary user has installed a Setup-Password, so that
I can't access the BIOS. I know, that there are ways to get around this,
but I don't know how to do it in this special case.
So does anybody know where to find the necessary information? Is there a
tool for Linux or DOS to access and change BIOS-settings (I could plugin
the harddisk from another computer and try to boot into Linux or use the
small DOS-partition I have on this disk). Or is there some kind of cheat
password, which will always work?
The BIOS is a Phoenix version 4.04.
You could write a little program or use dos debug to wipe out the cmos data
at port 0x70 index, 0x71 data. (Containing something like:
for (i=0; i0x80; i++) {
outp(0x70, i); outp(0x71, 0);
} )
In fact, it's only necessary to alter the checksum, and the bios should reset
to the defaults.
RE: [OFFTOPIC] BIOS Password defeat
Another alternative: Just remove the battery that keeps the CMOS charged.
I assume that if you're going to install Debian anew, that you won't care about
losing it's settings.
Cheers,
Jason.
--On Tuesday, August 8, 2000 21:31 +0300 Lehel Bernadt [EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:
On 08-Aug-2000 Daniel Reuter wrote:
Hello there,
I found a pretty nice 486 PCI-motherboard in the bulk waste last week,
which I would like to use as secondary computer with debian. The board is
working, but unfortunately, it was setup in a way that you can only boot
from harddisk, and shadow RAM was enabled. So I tried to change the
settings, but the preliminary user has installed a Setup-Password, so that
I can't access the BIOS. I know, that there are ways to get around this,
but I don't know how to do it in this special case.
So does anybody know where to find the necessary information? Is there a
tool for Linux or DOS to access and change BIOS-settings (I could plugin
the harddisk from another computer and try to boot into Linux or use the
small DOS-partition I have on this disk). Or is there some kind of cheat
password, which will always work?
The BIOS is a Phoenix version 4.04.
You could write a little program or use dos debug to wipe out the cmos data
at port 0x70 index, 0x71 data. (Containing something like:
for (i=0; i0x80; i++) {
outp(0x70, i); outp(0x71, 0);
} )
In fact, it's only necessary to alter the checksum, and the bios should reset
to the defaults.
--
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/dev/null
Re: [OFFTOPIC] BIOS Password defeat
Any good PC-engineer will know a universal password which will unlock the bios. It's a 4-letter code, which works on most bioses. I had the same problem once, but I forgot to note down the code, stupid me. I had a friend who worked in a PC-shop who told me they had this problem at least once a week, where a customer would come in with a PC with a locked bios. They used this common password and voila another satisfied customer who left with his wallet slightly thinner ;-) Repair time, 1 minute! Hans At 03:24 PM 8/8/00 +0200, Daniel Reuter wrote: Hello there, I found a pretty nice 486 PCI-motherboard in the bulk waste last week, which I would like to use as secondary computer with debian. The board is working, but unfortunately, it was setup in a way that you can only boot from harddisk, and shadow RAM was enabled. So I tried to change the settings, but the preliminary user has installed a Setup-Password, so that I can't access the BIOS. I know, that there are ways to get around this, but I don't know how to do it in this special case. So does anybody know where to find the necessary information? Is there a tool for Linux or DOS to access and change BIOS-settings (I could plugin the harddisk from another computer and try to boot into Linux or use the small DOS-partition I have on this disk). Or is there some kind of cheat password, which will always work? The BIOS is a Phoenix version 4.04. Regards, Daniel -- Unsubscribe? mail -s unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] /dev/null --- It's nice to be liked, but better by far to get paid -- Liz Phair
