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So annoyed that BIOS is totally locked down on a used laptop.. impossible to install linux (hexbear.net)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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My friend gave me their old laptop before they left town. I was going to install linux on it and use it for a server.

I have basically given up doing anything because the BIOS is locked with a Secure Boot supervisor password which I guess they forgot about being there.

I've sent a message asking if they happen to remember it and would feel comfortable sharing it if it is not one they use for anything else. But the odds of both those things being the case are slim and I don't feel good about trying to get someone to share any password. Especially since it was so kind to just give me the machine in the first place. It's not practical to physically get the device and the person together in the near future.

It's impossible (or past my skill level) to install linux on this thing without the freaking password. I did manage to install windows. Last time I did that it was win2k. It will boot OK but I can't use that to circumvent the lock. But Ubuntu and a couple other distros are no gos.

It is so fucked that computers can be rendered bricks like this. Obviously yet another way to design in obsolescence disguised as a security feature. Encryption is one thing; this is independent of any data.

Gaaaaaah I spent most of the weekend trying to install linux on this otherwise perfectly functional machine. I think it's toast though.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If it’s anything like the other offset trackpad ~15” acers there’s two possible passwords, the hard disk password and the user or administrator bios password. If you’re seeing the hard disk unlock screen, you need to press enter three times then use the key it gives you on bios-pw to generate the correct code. If it’s asking for a bios password to access or change the bios you need to first short the cmos jumper usually located under the ram and labeled something like jcmos or jcmos1. It’s a pair of copper pads you short together with a rock or something then remove your field expedient tool and try to boot the laptop. When you do that the unit shouldn’t ask for a password. If you still get the password check you need to run the acer clean password utility. Once I get home I’ll find a safe download link for that thing if there even is still one.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

device was given to me without a hdd so i put a fresh sdd in it. is def the bios. i didn't try this jumper stuff.

there's an acer clean password util?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Check that jumper first. It’s usually under the ram. You pull the battery first, then the ram, then short those two pads together with some conductive thing, then put the ram back in, then the battery then see if there’s a password. Don’t try to short the pads with a flat head screwdriver, sometimes the pads are slightly recessed and don’t make contact at the same time. Use a paperclip like a normal person. Stay on it for five seconds.

I’ll try to chase down a “good” copy of that acer password utility.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

OK, on the advice of everyone here I am willing to attempt this procedure I guess. I'm gonna give it a few days in case the password shows up first.