Hey guys, I put a BIOS password on my m200, and

[LordGino]

Hey guys, I put a BIOS password on my m200, and I cant seem to remember the password. So, now I'm locked out of my machine. Once I power it on, I see the Toshiba screen for a second and then it immediately asks for the password. I've tried removing the battery, and that didnt work! Does anyone know what I can do?

[WNewquay]

Hello LordGino,

"Does anyone know what I can do? "

Call Toshiba support. If circumventing the BIOS password was something that most users could do easily, then it wouldn't serve the purpose of protecting you from unauthorized use.

[digitaldoc]

Try inputting the password you think it is, but try with and without cap keys.

Also, did you not think this was a critical, MUST remember password? Just curious.........

[Jim Artis]

LordGino,

Which battery, CMOS [?], did you remove?
How long did you leave it out? If minutes, try a much longer period. Does your motherboard have a clear CMOS jumper?

I could go on, but this may be enough for now...

Now you know the importance, as pointed out, of that password.

[Kupe]

Does anyone else wonder about this thread? First post on the Buzz is a request for information on how to hack through a Toshiba's built-in password protection. I'm probably just overly suspicious. ;)

[krisk85]

also with 1 post.. I think your on the money Kupe.

[motion1]

Kupe.... agree...just because we are paranoid does not mean they are not REALLY after us!!

[cnimh]

Mmm, I should put a password on my machine too

[LordGino]

I tried removing the CMOS battery for about 10-15 minutes, and I've tried all the other traditional ways, however got no luck.

I know the importance of the password but, being only 19 I tend to party a bit too much, so much I usually can't what happened yesterday!

I believe toshiba has a security chip somewhere, and I dont think its an EEPROM. Thanks for your help guys. I'm going to try to remove the CMOS battery again for several days to see if that works.

[Jim Artis]

Hi LordGino,

The information below may speed the process. I obtained it from Toshiba's web site:


quote:I FORGOT MY PASSWORD: Only an Authorized Service Provider can clear a Password if it has been forgotten. You will be required to show proof of ownership to the ASP prior to having the Password removed this way.

How to contact a Toshiba Authorized Service Providers(ASPs).
Toshiba ASP Locator

WWW - http://www.csd.toshiba/tais/csd/support2/servicecenters.html

Phone - 1-949-583-3300 or 1-800-457-7777

[LordGino]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your help! I will bring it in, I just wish I could educate myself on how to do it. I guess I'll learn how its done on monday. Again, thanks.

[Jim Artis]

You are welcome and good luck!

[rbushway]

The solution to this doesn't need to be public knowledge, thus this thread has been edited to remove the solution.

If you need help with this problem, then contact your Authorized Service Provider.

[LordGino]

Well sorry, I was unaware of the way you feel about free knowledge. I fully understand your decision, however this is the internet and I think whether I said it, a person will still find this information somewhere else. It can be very useful as it has been to me. It saved me the hassle of going to my ASP. If you will remove this post aswell, then I appologize again for wasting your time.

[Spencer]

LordGino - Rob removed this solution as the result of a complaint of another forum user, who felt that it could potentially be a disservice to other M200 owners down the road. Granted, the infromation is likely something I could have figured out on my own, and I certainly could find reference to it other locations on the web. It is a thin line to walk, but the specific details were removed from here, simply to err on the side of caution and to help keep other M200s secure. Thanks for understanding, and welcome to the forums!

[Emmadw]

Having to go to the Authorised Retailer is a sure fire way of ensuring that you never again forget the password!!

Just as a matter of interest - do the rest of you set a BIOS password? I've got an account one, but not a BIOS one.

[LordGino]

Spencer, I fully understand the decision made by Rob. As an owner, I too would not like the information publicly made available. However, not all moderators and forums share our intentions. I also respect the other user who had requested it to be removed. The only point I wish to address is, it can be found online and other various resources. The problem is that, a BIOS password may be removed. The only solution should be a replacement of a part that can only be issued to authentic owners. Since an ASP (basically being possible to remove) can remove the password, there is no definate security.

Thats just my opinion on PC security. IBM ThinkPad's have better security, but again can be overcomed.

BTW, thanks for your welcoming to this forum. This is the first time that I have ever left any posts. I usually just read forums like the majority of people I know. Happy Valetine's day to all.

[minimage]

I just realized how Tablet owners could really make thieves regret a decision to steal.

Let's start with a slate (clean or otherwise).
Maybe it was spirited away while the owner (who uses a Cross Pen only, which he keeps tucked in his shirt pocket) had his back turned.
(0ooh, gotta find keyboard and mouse, and forget PS/2)
There was a BIOS password on it.
(sheesh, got to go through heck to get past that)
The hard drive was password-protected.
(oh, now we'll slap another hard drive in it)
Was the a/c adapter with it?
(Power supplies might be inexpensive purchased from the manufacturer)
CDROM drive?
(Could scrounge up a USB drive the machine might allow booting from; hope that keyboard has a USB passthrough for the mouse)
Got the Restore cds/dvds?
(fine, use a regular XP cd)
You know where I'm going with that.

I suppose someone's already mentioned it before, but I could find no reference to it.

Yeah, I know a regular career criminal might not be phased; but an opportunistic criminal might find that opportunity can give some hard knocks. It's just wishful thinking, and perhaps, in a world where a thief choked to death on the hotdog he stole, it could even happen.

[rbushway]

I, too, would like to welcome you, LordGino. I look forward to conversing with you more on the 'Buzz. Thanks especially for your understanding and good attitude. I do understand your points as well.

[glis]

I am having the same problem. Now that my machine is out of warranty, I don't want to pay the service depot $300 if there is a do it yourself solution. From what I have read, some members like to keep this solution out of the public forum.

So if you know the solution please email me from this forum.

My problem:

Toshiba Portege M200 was left unused for more than a month. Battery went out. Upon 1st bootup, machine asked for update of date/time. I didn't update and went to bootup OS instead. Machine turned off during OS loading. I charged the battery overnight and rebooted in the morning. After a brief 1 second Toshiba logo screen, I get a blank screen with "password:=" in the upper left corner.

Thanks in advance.

update: I can now bypass the password to load the OS and use the computer, but I can't have a shutdown. If I shutdown the machine it askes for password again. I can do warm reboot, sleep/wakeup, etc. no password asked. I am also able to access the bios but can't change the password section.

Any suggestions how to permanently reset the password?