[REPORT] Removal of CF-51 BIOS password.

[R-T-B]

I think I have a method of removing a CF-51 bios password. I noticed several interesting functions in the CMOS and bios registers that may allow me to make a "password removal bootdisk." Unfortunately, I have already scrapped one CF-51 Mk3 to figure this out (desoldering the BIOS and CMOS chips rather badly) and need to recover some of the costs. Would it be ok if I launched a "password removal" service here? (It's already succesfully worked on one toughbook but has some bad sideeffects I'm working on) I'm not talking a lot, as a TON of toughbook owners need this removed I picture $5 per removal would quickly cover some of it.

My question is, is this really morally objectional? If it is I may just release the information for free, or not at all (there is also the concern of people stealing toughbooks with passwords and removing them. Thoughts? Comments?

[wyrm73]

Just my two cents worth, I see nothing fundamentally wrong with what you are suggesting, but how are you going to verify laptop ownership before performing this service? Most of the time the oiginal owner is registered with Panasonic, but rarely is this information updated when the laptop is resold. Anything I can think of as "proof" could be easily forged in the Internet age.

In my work as a computer technician for my company, I have had several employees ask me or flat out offer bribes to remove the BIOS password. The other big worry would be stolen laptops. I would think that the vast majority of customers would be legit, but that annoying minority is continuing to ruin the world for the honest people. Ultimately, if it were me that had this information at my disposal, I would limit it to a smaller, trustworthy client base (like most of the core folks around here for one example ) or buy laptops off Ebay that have the BIOS password and fix them and resell them for a profit.

[R-T-B]

Probably wise. If anyone needs this information, contact me. That'll be the policy for now.

[toughasnails]

Myself I see nothing wrong with it. Why...go look on ebay and see how many 3-5 year old toughbooks are on there now with under 200 hours or like a couple sellers that have 8 of them under 90 hours...really are we that stupid , check out the prices they are asking . We all know there is a trick to it but most of us just stay away from the ones with it. Yes we have a few members on here that know the trick on other toughbooks but I have never asked them " how to do it" just because I don't need it. Would I like to know...sure just for the heck of it.
I did notice that there is a ebay seller that states BIOS has been reset due to BIOS password, that is why zero hours showing

[R-T-B]

At least he's honest, lol.

Though my method doesn't zero BIOS hours, I'd be curious to see what he is doing.

[Driller]

just because the fix is available, I'd like to know how to do it. I haven't sold the first cf-51 nor cf-29 nor cf-18, nor cf-74 and all the others that have piled up. There are a lot of upgrades I'd like to know and spend time watching the gurus do a few. Would be worth paying someone for the experience and making a trip if not too far a drive. Just my 2 cents worth,,..Driller

[teo]

ok! can you send me the trick that you had without desoldering the chip.


teo

[R-T-B]

I'm having someone test it at the moment on another CF-51 to confirm. Mind you this does not appear to work in the least on boot up passwords, only bios ones.

[hawk1234]

Would this work on a CF-74? Or does anyone know how to remove / reset the bios password on a CF-74?