@Anito2000 It wouldn't hurt to try reflashing the BIOS so you're not stuck find another mainboard for it. These particular series of Toshiba computers were known for having bad BIOS. However, these mainboards are very sensitive and it doesn't take much to mess them up. The charging circuit doesn't work on mine anymore, so I can't use the battery. It only took a tap on the mouse pad to mess that up.
Have a Toshiba A3X that I own since day one, and is now asking for a bios password that I never set. Found it to be a known issue with a bug in the bios, on some of those older Toshiba their a pad where the ram to reset the passwords as far as the harddrive not to sure how to clear the password.
Most hard drives sold today (including desktop drives) support the so-called "security features" command set. A slimy trick played by some types of malware involves setting a password on the drive. Some BIOSes will put a "freeze lock" on the drive so those commands can't be issued.
HDAT2 *might* be able to unlock the drive if you do not care about the data. You'll need a system whose BIOS doesn't lock out these command/feature sets (many Dell and some Compaq business-line systems do).
@uxwbill Thanks Bill. Actually, I don't care about the data on the drive. I knew if I destroyed the data, I would still need a fully licensed OS. I asked if he had the discs that would have come with the computer. I believe you know the answer to that. I'm not using another copy of Windows that is being used on another computer already.
I'm a little weary about Hitachi drives, which this came with. I had one fail on me within 3 months. I much rather buy another reliable drive.
Maybe you can install an operating system from a live cd or usb key? Should be able to reformat hard drive, over-writing password? If password is set in bios, you may need to consult Toshiba to clear it.
@wx1gdave Until I can unlock the hard drive, there not a chance a OS or anything else will go on it. Even changing the boot order does not help. The password is stored on the hard drive from what I can tell. I did reset the BIOS, but it did nothing.
blech vista
naterade21 5 months ago
Comment removed
Anito2000 6 months ago
@Anito2000 It would appear that the BIOS is bad.
CenTexVideo 6 months ago
Comment removed
Anito2000 6 months ago
@Anito2000 It wouldn't hurt to try reflashing the BIOS so you're not stuck find another mainboard for it. These particular series of Toshiba computers were known for having bad BIOS. However, these mainboards are very sensitive and it doesn't take much to mess them up. The charging circuit doesn't work on mine anymore, so I can't use the battery. It only took a tap on the mouse pad to mess that up.
CenTexVideo 6 months ago
Comment removed
Anito2000 6 months ago
Try Hiren's Boot CD has a harddrive smart controller pasword resetter.
RetroPCDOS 8 months ago
@RetroPCDOS Thanks for the info. I'll have to try that.
CenTexVideo 8 months ago
Have a Toshiba A3X that I own since day one, and is now asking for a bios password that I never set. Found it to be a known issue with a bug in the bios, on some of those older Toshiba their a pad where the ram to reset the passwords as far as the harddrive not to sure how to clear the password.
RetroPCDOS 8 months ago
@RetroPCDOS I've read that the BIOS is buggy. If this one still is, I'll have to fix it when I get the computer running again.
CenTexVideo 8 months ago
Beautiful Music helps the plants grow.
vwestlife 8 months ago
@vwestlife So does 24 hour local news coverage from YNN. :-)
CenTexVideo 8 months ago
Most hard drives sold today (including desktop drives) support the so-called "security features" command set. A slimy trick played by some types of malware involves setting a password on the drive. Some BIOSes will put a "freeze lock" on the drive so those commands can't be issued.
HDAT2 *might* be able to unlock the drive if you do not care about the data. You'll need a system whose BIOS doesn't lock out these command/feature sets (many Dell and some Compaq business-line systems do).
uxwbill 8 months ago
@uxwbill Thanks Bill. Actually, I don't care about the data on the drive. I knew if I destroyed the data, I would still need a fully licensed OS. I asked if he had the discs that would have come with the computer. I believe you know the answer to that. I'm not using another copy of Windows that is being used on another computer already.
I'm a little weary about Hitachi drives, which this came with. I had one fail on me within 3 months. I much rather buy another reliable drive.
CenTexVideo 8 months ago
The circumstances seem a little fishy... maybe the guy stole it?
vwestlife 8 months ago
@vwestlife I don't think so. There's always a chance, but I don't believe so.
CenTexVideo 8 months ago
Maybe you can install an operating system from a live cd or usb key? Should be able to reformat hard drive, over-writing password? If password is set in bios, you may need to consult Toshiba to clear it.
wx1gdave 8 months ago
@wx1gdave Until I can unlock the hard drive, there not a chance a OS or anything else will go on it. Even changing the boot order does not help. The password is stored on the hard drive from what I can tell. I did reset the BIOS, but it did nothing.
CenTexVideo 8 months ago