Lost system password - Acer TravelMate 213TX

A friend of mine left me with an Acer Travelmate 213TX laptop, and when I powered it on, the screen stops at a laptop icon with a key next to it, which I assume is the system password.

How can I unlock the key, because in his haste to leave he forgot to leave the password key with me.

Do I have to unscrew anything or is there another way of resetting the password using freeware programs out there.

Please can anyone help me out, I apologise of there is a similar post to this because I am not online for a longtime as I use an internet cafe and it is costly to get online.

Please someone help me, and your assistance will be valued.

 

Id this the Windows password or the bios?

 

That is a "system password", not a Windows password. The only way to 'reset' it is to reset the bios. That will involve opening the laptop to access the motherboard, and using a jumper if it has one, or removing the battery for at least 10 minutes. Most motherboards also have a 'master' password, but good luck finding out what it is. Acer will not tell you, although if you send it to them they will likely unlock it for you.

There are some software solutions out there, but they are fairly complicated. Not knowing your level of technical expertise, I'm not sure if you would want to tackle them or not. If so, here is a link for one:

http://www.cgsecurity.org/cmospwd-4.7.zip

Good luck!

 

Thanks zazonz and Keyse Soze for replies.

zazonz - I said system password so it is not Windows password.

Keyse - I appreciate the link, have downloaded the zipped file but most of it has to do with having access to Windows inorder to install files ... a bit on DOS in the Readme.

For laptop (in my case) I would need a EEPROM programmer and then I need to desolder the EEPROM chip on the mainboard, I assume, and then run the EEPROM program to reset the chip and blank the password.

Would any of you know of where I can get a EEPROM programmer for my Acer laptop, and also a service manual for this particular laptop?

Thanks.

 

why don't you just wait for your friend to get back from where he is? or just email him to ask for the password? this seems like a lot of soldering.

 

I wouldn't be looking to obtain an EEPROM programmer if I were you. If you're willing to go that far, then simply open the unit, and remove the CMOS battery for a bit (15 min or so - longer if unsuccessful). Then, once you replace it and boot up, the BIOS should be reset to default, and subsequently the password will be gone (technically, reset to none).

Let me know...

 

Also, (and I tried not to post this... but it's haunting me)... if you were willing to look for an EEPROM programmer, I would think that you would send it in to ACER before that, and have them reset it for you (if you weren't comfortable with the whole battery idea). The fact that you're not opting for those solutions, combined with the unlikely situation that someone would give you a laptop that was 'locked' and not tell you the password, gives pause to myself, and I'm sure many others who have read this thread. I certainly hope there is a good explanation for why you can't simply ask him what the password is - other than the obvious reason, which would really suck and make me regret helping you.

 

Keyser, good to hear from you.

The friend (an Englishman) had not used this laptop for a long time after acuqiring a new laptop, and as he was departing my country (PNG) shores and going finish to back to England, he thought the system would be handy for me as a computer enthusiast.

I cannot get in touch with the frendo because he has gone finish and didn't leave any contact details behind with me other than the "going-finish present".

In the catch-22 position, I appreciate your assistance and will now look at the CMOS battery option.

Keyser (or any forumers out there), if you can I would appreciate assist me with how I can get a service manual for this particular product.

Have a good week-end, one and all.

 

hello all
Sorry, but i have this problem too with Acer TravelMate 230, I lost system password but I don't good for hardware programe, all my information about this subject , There is a some character you can type it to open any passowrd bios but depend on chipset bios that is means Award bios has deffernt character from SiS bios.
I get these character from last years ago but i forget , and i have it another time now from some sits but you must paid to him.
Ara there any one here know these characters ?
Thanks for All