cant you just clear CMOS ???
-- Boy that would be great if you could, but unfortunately with the laptop models that is not an option for us. (The CMOS is powered separately & can't be cleared like the desktop models by taking out the battery or changing jumper settings
) And it is VERY frustrating when the generated codes fail to let you slip through.
The code you used is the one that comes up in the standard Dell generator. If that doesn't work then your best bet is to open it up and find the BIOS chip(s). They will be 8 pin surface mount chips with a number like ST24C02. Usually near the coin battery. You have to find the chip and short the SCL pin to ground (Vss) while powering it on (you have to look up the chip's datasheet by its actual number to find out what pin does what). This resets the BIOS to default, removing the setup and boot passwords. Be aware though, this will NOT remove a HDD password. See my previous response to Erin regarding that.
Interesting! Most of my work on laptops (before this one) had been either simple repair/replace jobs - desktops were more my area, and when I hit this brick wall I asked a colleague with more laptop experience if tweaking the chip would be an option & they pretty much told me not to waste my time going this route.
Guess they didn't know as much as I thought they did, LOL - THANK YOU!!
In regards to the HDD, I already have the replacement drive ready- I knew the HDD p/w's were an exercise in futility.
This poor guy has his heart set on having this monstrosity of a laptop running again- even after all this time. So, thanks to you, I guess maybe I can finally make his day!