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    Reset 8510p BIOS Setup password... anyone have any info?

    Discussion in 'HP Business Class Notebooks' started by br0adband, Dec 10, 2010.

  1. br0adband

    br0adband Notebook Guru

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    I just acquired an HP/Compaq 8510p in somewhat beat-up cosmetic condition but fully functional. I ran the gamut of various tests on it (memtest86+, AIDA64 burn in testing, CD/DVD Speed for the optical drive, Hitachi Drive Fitness Test for the hard drive, etc) and it passed with flying colors, but I am unable to get the machine to boot off the USB ports which is an option that needs to be enabled in the BIOS.

    Unfortunately, the previous owner (this was purchased through an off-lease program) of course put a BIOS Setup password on it. NOTE: this is NOT the power-on Administrator password which basically would prevent any and all use of the laptop; this is the BIOS Setup password that I'm stuck at.

    Does anyone know of any methods to delete or reset that particular password, by any chance?

    It's fairly obvious that when I do a search online for something like "bios setup password removal" I'll get a bazillion hits and not one of them ever actually provides any useful info so, I figured I'd just ask here plain and simple and get it over with.

    If there's a way related to a BIOS update, or resetting the CMOS (the old way of pulling the CMOS battery for 10+ minutes I'm sure doesn't work anymore) or perhaps a bootable CD from HP that could do the reset externally? I'm just stuck in several ways I suppose, looking for some assistance if anyone is capable of helping.

    Thanks, and happy holidays...
     
    br0adband, Dec 10, 2010
    #1
  2. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

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    Contact local service point, bring proof of purchase with you.
     
    KLF, Dec 10, 2010
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  3. User Retired 2

    User Retired 2 Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    Try HP DMIFIT utility to reset the bios-access password. The other way is to flash a new bios. Not sure if the 8510P has a socketed bios chip.
     
    User Retired 2, Dec 10, 2010
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  4. br0adband

    br0adband Notebook Guru

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    When you say flashing a new BIOS, one question if you can clarify: if I were to flash the same BIOS that currently exists on the machine (think it's the latest one, F.15 or something), is that a possible reset?

    Also, for the DMIFIT tool, I'm unclear as to precisely which specific .exe I should be attempting to use. Guess I need to make a boot CD to use this tool as I can't boot off a USB stick as well.

    Hrmmm... the plot thickens.

    Thanks for the info.

    DOH!!! Nevermind on the DMIFIT tool, just acquired it and it's fairly obvious the batch file checks the BIOS first before executing the correct command line app. DOH!!! :D
     
    br0adband, Dec 15, 2010
    #4