dell e1505 laptop

[Maxspeed996]

My brother is in college ,and had someone steal his laptop last week. He just got it back last night from the police. And all he got back was the laptop and the charger. Lost his case , software , adapters , cables , and all of his stuff. The police said that the kid that took will probably have to pay him restitution for the damage. but that could take a year or two. In the mean time , the kid locked it out somehow , and I'm not familiar with it so I'm looking for help. He brought it over to me last night and I told him that if we couldn't get it unlocked , we could reformat the harddrive and put a new XP install on it. He's stressed out because it's got a years worth of backed up notes and files on it. But he's more concerned now with not being able to use the laptop he's still paying for.
So he brought it over last night , and I thought it would be an easy fix...bootable floppy , fdisk , format , install and done. But wrong. The thing doesn't even have a floppy drive. Only DVD , and it doesn't have the options at post to get into the Bios to change the boot sequence in order to pop in XP and repair the install. What do I do? He was really upset when this happened in the first place , and now I've promised him that Big bro will take care of it for him. I told him to worry about getting his stuff at school wrapped up. Now it's looking like I may have to get him a whole new hard drive . ... is that my only option?
help a big brother out. He doesn't have the money to pay for this thing , (he's scraping by making the payment on it) let alone tech support from somewhere , or being without it. If I buy him a new harddrive and put it in , will that be the quickest fix for him?
Thanks for the space AnAndTech.

 

[Kappo]

Either get a USB floppy drive (~$20 from newegg.com - good to have handy anyhow) or create a bootable CD to change the administrator password (there are bootdisks out there designed just for this - google will find you what you need).

If you are trying to get it to boot from different devices, hit F12 when you see the blue DELL logo. It will ask you what you want to boot from.

 

[duke2106]

Here's a boot disk you can make to reset the administrator password on an xp machine: http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/

 

[Sloppy]

When I worked IT and we had this sort of issue we had an adapter to hook up a laptop harddrive to a regular IDE cable. You can plug the harddrive in as a slave on another computer and pull the important stuff off before you wipe it. I think the adapter was only a couple dollars from our vendor.

 

[Maxspeed996]

I'll check for the adapter , it could come in handy. I own a dell latitude laptop that I use for doing work, and my wife has a gateway.
I've just never seen this gray screen come up where it asks for an administrative password before it'll let you log in at the windows sign on screen. I am pretty good with computers , and to think some theif will get the best of me really ticks me off. I just feel bad for my brother. I'm thinking , worst come to worse , I can get him a pretty decent HD off of the EGG for around $80 that is bigger than the one he has in it , and call it an early birthday present. I just want to figure out the best way to go about this , because the kid that stole it , took his case and everything that he had for the computer , and he didn't get any of that back. Computer , and plug in that's all he's got now.
Let this be a lesson to all of you college students that take this kind of property for granted. DON'T LEAVE YOUR DORM ROOM WITH YOUR DOOR UNLOCKED!

 

[Maxspeed996]

Went home at lunch today and tried to do the ctrl + f11 to restore from the partition on the harddrive with the restore informationl. And it didn't work. It said key stuck on keyboard. And still took me to the gray screen where it asked for the administrator password. Who knows what that kid put in there. I called the police station to see if they can beat it out of the kid that stole it or something...and they laughed at me. They can't help. So I called Dell and dell needs the service tag #.....I don't have that either , and neither does my brother because it was in the bag with the rest of his stuff. They said they could get it once I logged into the website and downloaded a control.....Well , HELLO!! I can't get online with it. I hit the power button , and the Blue "Dell" logo pops up. There are no f-key options on the screen to get into the Bios , or to one time select boot options , it goes to a black "DOS" screen and says to run the setup program. And then it goes to a gray screen that says I must type in a password.
So....I said to heck with it and began to dismantle the thing. I was able to get the backup battery out of the thing , hopefully that will wipe out the security password. If not , I'll try the boot disk thing that Duke recomended above.....Although I think that is only for the password at the windows Log on screen. Which I can't get to. Any more advice would be great , because if this doesn't work. I'm just gonna buy him a new hard drive I think. It's only got a 40 gig in it...and I'm pretty sure I can get him a nice 80 gig for fairly cheap.

 

[Harvey]

Call Dell's tech support. If he has the original purchase receipt or other proof of purchase, they may be able to help.

 

[Maxspeed996]

Herin is the problem , he kept EVERYTHING stuffed into the bag that it was in. When the kid got caught with it , they only got the PC and the power cable back. The bag , software , a few games , cables , adapters , digital camera , and reciepts are all still missing in action.
I told him he should have kept all of that stuff in a filing cabinet or somewhere safe. But nothing he can do about it now. Heck , my copy of Doom3 was in the bag , so I'm screwed outta that. At least it's only $20 now. LOL! More than I can say for him. One way or another , I'm going to get it fixed , I'm going to his dorm room tonight to see if we can find any of his original information so we have something that we can get to dell so we can get some help.

 

[scottws]

Originally posted by: Maxspeed996
I hit the power button , and the Blue "Dell" logo pops up. There are no f-key options on the screen to get into the Bios , or to one time select boot options.

I realize that it doesn't explicitly state the F-key options, but have you tried to press F12 anyway when you saw the Dell logo?

 

[Maxspeed996]

yea , and nothing happens......the website says that when the Blue dell logo apears to push CTRL and then press f11 , and let them both out at the same time. this would enable the system restore function. It said to only press it once , or it will display a keyboard error message that there is a stuck key. Which I did get it to say. But after trying over and over. I would just get the gray screen asking for a password. It's just funny because I do tech work in my spare time , and this is the first time I've really ran into something like this where I just didn't know what to do with the hardware that I have in front of me.....dang newfangled gadgets..!!
At this point , I've made a promise to my little brother like I said....and it's now more of a macho thing , than anything. And he thinks I am just the best wizard when it comes to computers..I've got him sending all his little friends to me with all of these little problems all the time , more of a pain in the butt than anything. Because you know how that turns out...you end up working for free. And then they want help all the dang time. Well , my machismo won't let me fail on his pc now. I will buy a new hard drive if it comes to that!!

 

[SunnyD]

Aight... this one caught my attention.

First off, ALL Dell machines have the Service Tags phsyically in 2 places... the first being on a sticker on the bottom of the laptop, and the second being in the BIOS. If the service tag is not on the bottom of the laptop, then I would say this story sounds fishy.

Second, all Dell laptops have several common denominators with the BIOS:

To enter the BIOS Setup: Press F2 (usually several times) to get into the BIOS as soon as the Dell splash screen comes on. Only problem here would be is if the previous "Owner" put a BIOS password on. If this is the case, then you can get a generic unlock password for your machine from Dell support by calling and providing the Service Tag.

To select boot options: Press F12 (usually several times) to bring up the boot selector as the Dell splash screen comes on. This will let you choose several options, such as harddrive, CD-ROM/DVD, and Onboard NIC (PXE Boot). This is handy as if you have a USB flash drive, you can make it bootable via several tools on the net and boot off the USB drive. Why would this be useful? FreeDOS + NTFS driver = Harddrive access. Take it from there. Alternatively, you can snag a copy of something like BartPE (free) or ERD (pay) and boot from a CD to access the harddrive. ERD also has the ability to (destructively) reset your Administrator password in Windows. Please note, forcably resetting the Admin password in such a way will cause any files with NTFS encryption to be forever lost.

The key here is to NOT HOLD DOWN the key combinations while booting. This will cause the keyboard error to happen. Press the keys repeatedly. It may error, but it should not give you the stuck keyboard error.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt here... but it seems rather odd that you're having these sorts of difficulties especially with obvious problems. If there really is no service tag to be had, I would venture to say that you/your brother are not the legitimate owner of the laptop (and as such want to avoid talking to Dell at all costs). I'm suspicious by nature, so don't take offense.

 

[NuroMancer]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Aight... this one caught my attention.

First off, ALL Dell machines have the Service Tags phsyically in 2 places... the first being on a sticker on the bottom of the laptop, and the second being in the BIOS. If the service tag is not on the bottom of the laptop, then I would say this story sounds fishy.

Second, all Dell laptops have several common denominators with the BIOS:

To enter the BIOS Setup: Press F2 (usually several times) to get into the BIOS as soon as the Dell splash screen comes on. Only problem here would be is if the previous "Owner" put a BIOS password on. If this is the case, then you can get a generic unlock password for your machine from Dell support by calling and providing the Service Tag.

To select boot options: Press F12 (usually several times) to bring up the boot selector as the Dell splash screen comes on. This will let you choose several options, such as harddrive, CD-ROM/DVD, and Onboard NIC (PXE Boot). This is handy as if you have a USB flash drive, you can make it bootable via several tools on the net and boot off the USB drive. Why would this be useful? FreeDOS + NTFS driver = Harddrive access. Take it from there. Alternatively, you can snag a copy of something like BartPE (free) or ERD (pay) and boot from a CD to access the harddrive. ERD also has the ability to (destructively) reset your Administrator password in Windows. Please note, forcably resetting the Admin password in such a way will cause any files with NTFS encryption to be forever lost.

The key here is to NOT HOLD DOWN the key combinations while booting. This will cause the keyboard error to happen. Press the keys repeatedly. It may error, but it should not give you the stuck keyboard error.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt here... but it seems rather odd that you're having these sorts of difficulties especially with obvious problems. If there really is no service tag to be had, I would venture to say that you/your brother are not the legitimate owner of the laptop (and as such want to avoid talking to Dell at all costs). I'm suspicious by nature, so don't take offense.

From the sounds of it, the perp put a BIOS boot or Drive lock password on.
Now, I don't know if there is a universal unlock for this as the above post describes, if there is use the service tag # from the bottom to get this from dell. If not, you basically need to clear the CMOS. This could be very difficult depending on the laptop. I am not very familiar with dell so, it could either be as simple as a jumper or as complicated as a CMOS battery needing to be pulled out.

Replacing the HDD will do NOTHING if I am correct, which I think I am. You would have to replace the motherboard . So, see if you can grab the service tag off the bottom and phone it to dell. Start there, if not look up the documentation on how to "replace" the cmos battery. Take it out for 30 minute and then put it back in. IF you want to be really safe keep it out for 2 hours +.

Hope that helps if you have questions feel free to PM me.

 

[Kartajan]

do not bother with removing the bios battery; dell has a custom EPROM that will retain the HDD and BIOS administrator passwords.

If you contact Dell during normal working hours, with the service tag information from the bottom of the laptop they can look up the administrative "master" key that was set at the factory.

DO NOT TRY THE THIRD PARTY UTILITIES AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR THIS, as none of them actually work as advertised, you just pay for useless software.

Dell does have the information, you may need to pry a bit before they give it to you.
Make sure you get BOTH passwords. And they are different for every machine.

(I am sure there are repeats, but they do not just use the same one all of the time..)

Hope this helps.

 

[Maxspeed996]

Hey guys , thanks for the posts with the ideas , and it looks like you were right. I got home and replaced the CMOS battery after having it out since lunch. And still nothing. I'm looking on the bottom and all of the stickers have been peeled off of it. Even the XP sticker with the darned key code. I know with my laptop , there as a number put in several places.So I'm looking inside next to see if I can get a number to use to call dell with for help.

 

[NuroMancer]

Originally posted by: Kartajan
do not bother with removing the bios battery; dell has a custom EPROM that will retain the HDD and BIOS administrator passwords.

If you contact Dell during normal working hours, with the service tag information from the bottom of the laptop they can look up the administrative "master" key that was set at the factory.

DO NOT TRY THE THIRD PARTY UTILITIES AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR THIS, as none of them actually work as advertised, you just pay for useless software.

Dell does have the information, you may need to pry a bit before they give it to you.
Make sure you get BOTH passwords. And they are different for every machine.

(I am sure there are repeats, but they do not just use the same one all of the time..)

Hope this helps.

There is no way to flash it back to factory spec? Thats kinda retarded. I mean I know you can ask dell to plant a code so that even if you flash it, it will still ask for the password. But I find it hard to believe that you can't get the bios back to factory spec with a jumper? Anyone have any input on that?

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: NuroMancer

Originally posted by: Kartajan
do not bother with removing the bios battery; dell has a custom EPROM that will retain the HDD and BIOS administrator passwords.

If you contact Dell during normal working hours, with the service tag information from the bottom of the laptop they can look up the administrative "master" key that was set at the factory.

DO NOT TRY THE THIRD PARTY UTILITIES AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR THIS, as none of them actually work as advertised, you just pay for useless software.

Dell does have the information, you may need to pry a bit before they give it to you.
Make sure you get BOTH passwords. And they are different for every machine.

(I am sure there are repeats, but they do not just use the same one all of the time..)

Hope this helps.

There is no way to flash it back to factory spec? Thats kinda retarded. I mean I know you can ask dell to plant a code so that even if you flash it, it will still ask for the password. But I find it hard to believe that you can't get the bios back to factory spec with a jumper? Anyone have any input on that?

No. You can't. Dell has a master password for your machine to unlock it if absolutely necessary, but there are no physical methods to clear the CMOS. This is done primarily for corporate security, especially in cases where the laptop may be stolen and have sensitive data on it.

You will need either the Service Tag, Express Service Code or your original Dell invoice (which has the service tag on it). They will not help you otherwise, as they'll think you have stolen it.

 

[secretanchitman]

im sorry about your laptop. all of the people who posted said everything i knew about what to do in situations like this. hope everything turns out for you okay.

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: SunnyD

No. You can't. Dell has a master password for your machine to unlock it if absolutely necessary, but there are no physical methods to clear the CMOS. This is done primarily for corporate security, especially in cases where the laptop may be stolen and have sensitive data on it.

:thumbsdown:

This isn't needed, or useful on a comsumer machine, it should be an option. Mandatory only on "Business"-class machines, bought through a company account.

 

[Maxspeed996]

Ya , it really actually sucks. Pretty bad as a matter of fact. Made me look like I've finally been beaten. And Dell did it. He called them again last night. And he was able to get with their billing department. He was supposed to call them back when he got back to his room and give them the invoice# and account # that is on his bill. Then they will verify that he is who he says he is , and get him a code.
That's almost a pain in the butt to have to go through all of that , after you've already had as bad a time as he's had with this thing anyhow.

 

[NuroMancer]

But, at least as long as it works you will have a working laptop back, otherwise you'll have to see if it's still under warentee and if it is send it in. Maybe they will cover it, although it is not a hardware related issue, (a user created a software issue) and they may charge you/him to fix it.

 

[Maxspeed996]

They were going to charge him if he sent it in. That's why I have been so gung ho to fix it for him. The only thing that bothers me , is all of his adapters , and cables , and Digi-Camera , and software and the Samsonite case never got returned. That just makes me sick thinking about it.

 

[NuroMancer]

Originally posted by: Maxspeed996
They were going to charge him if he sent it in. That's why I have been so gung ho to fix it for him. The only thing that bothers me , is all of his adapters , and cables , and Digi-Camera , and software and the Samsonite case never got returned. That just makes me sick thinking about it.

And my friends thought I was crazy when I told them to always lock the door.

 

[Maxspeed996]

I know it! People just take that stuff for granted , and think it'll never happen to them. But I've been over there with him , and just seen people walking through the hallways. And some student just leave their doors wide open all the time.
I had a few friends in college that had a pretty nice stereo and tv setup , and computer equipment that everyone knew about. Some of that stuff I don't think belongs in college , which sucks for the kids that work for it , and earn it. But it is just way to tempting for some people to not just respect that , and leave it alone. It's asking for trouble.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: Raduque

Originally posted by: SunnyD

No. You can't. Dell has a master password for your machine to unlock it if absolutely necessary, but there are no physical methods to clear the CMOS. This is done primarily for corporate security, especially in cases where the laptop may be stolen and have sensitive data on it.

:thumbsdown:

This isn't needed, or useful on a comsumer machine, it should be an option. Mandatory only on "Business"-class machines, bought through a company account.

Sadly, many businesses (including the one I work for) have purchased "consumer"-class machines (read: inspirons) and will continue to do so, simply because corporate accounts can't be had by all, and usually the similarly equipped "business"-class machines tend to cost a few hundred dollars more for identical functionality.

Besides, if you use said technology before a thief does, the thief would be SOL instead of you.

 

[Maxspeed996]

That is a good point Sunny D. If he would have used that the kid that took it would have been screwed. But that just means that the kid probably would have just trashed it , or thrown it away , instead of trying to sell it on a board on campus , which is how he got caught. In that case my brother would have been SOL , because the kid coulda just said screw it , it isn't worth it and smashed it to bits , or parted the thing out. And he would have just been out of luck.
Personally , the odds of something like that happening to me for instance, are rather small. But if someone were able to steal either my laptop , or my wife's. I wouldn't want them locked out , because I'd want them using the thing , so that I have a better chance of catching them sooner or later with it. Rather than getting mad that they can't unlock it, and using it for a frisbee , or target practice with a bb gun , or firecracker fun...( Ya I was a bad kid once!! ) or just taking it apart and selling the parts.
That is the only reason I'm against this type of "protection" if that's what you want to call it. In this case , it just let the thief continue to abuse the victim in the crime because of the particular situation , and that sucks.