I want to set the HDD password (in the BIOS) on my Dell Latitude C840 laptop. But before I do, I have a question. If the laptop was to fail, can I still connect the HDD to a USB hard drive adapter and get my data off it? This question is not about bypassing the password, but if the hard drive adapters are capable of handling passwords.
Thanks.
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Breakthrough
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BIOS passwords may provide zero security when it comes to stealing a computer, or moving the drive between machines.
Some implementations only prevent the BIOS from booting to the drive if a password does not match. It does not actually lock, encrypt or secure the drive itself.
If you need to remove the password, it is easy:
BIOS passwords are simple locks. If you don't provide the password, the BIOS simply stops and doesn't continue the boot process.
There are two ways to get around this simple lock:
1. Clear the BIOS/CMOS memory (usually requires direct motherboard access). 2. Remove the drive and connect it to another computer (easier).
Edit
Hennes informed me my information might be out of date, so I did some more digging:
It appears there is also the possibility that, depending on drive and system manufacturer that the drive will, in fact become locked from the password due to a special sector on the drive. These can be recovered or deleted sometimes.
tl;dr
It depends.
Austin T French
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