Bizarre Power-on Password Behavior

[boweasel]

I've seen the 58 pages devoted to 'power on password'  http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Wireless-and-Networking/Power-on-password/td-p/44320/page/54, but this one is a little different...

When we boot the PC it brings up this blue box with the heading power-on password.  It never did this before 3 days ago.  It used to just boot to the screen where we enter our password.  What seems to make this situation different is that when we enter our Windows 7 password on that blue screen ...., it works.  It takes us to our normal signon screen.  However, that password - one we've been using for years - does not work to log us into Windows.  

If I hit the Escape key before the blue box appears, enter our Windows password, press enter and Escape again I get to the Startup Menu, where I can get into the Boot Menu, the BIOS, Diagnostics, etc...  When I go into the BIOS I fail to see any log in password, or any security of any type.

I have changed the Boot Order in the BIOS to boot first from ATAPI  CD-ROM.  I have gone to the Boot Menu and done it there.  Neither allow me to boot from my 64 bit Windows 7 Home disk, which is the only method I know of to reset the password.

If I enter the wrong password on the blue screen it throws up an asterisk and gives me another chance.  Only by entering our Windows password can I continue.  But it does me no good since the log on screen won't accept that same password that the blue screen just allowed. 

Help!  Please.

[A4Apollo]

Hey there! Welcome to HP forums.

I understand that you are getting power on password error on your PC.

Don't worry I'd like to help.

Did you make any software or hardware changes to your PC?

The "Power-On-Password" can be set in the System BIOS options. It prevents unwanted users from accessing the system including its BIOS. By default, HP does not set the "Power-On-Password". If the customer set the "Power-On-Password" in the System BIOS options the system will be prompt the customer for it if trying to enter the system including its BIOS.

If the "Power-On-Password" is forgotten, a repair at an HP certified repair center is required to reset the same. The notebook has to be shipped for service.

Please contact HP support and get the service options.

Link to contact HP.

I'll keep an eye out for your response.  

I hope you have a great day ahead! 🙂

[boweasel]

As I already mentioned I can get into thr BIOS.  Did you not see this part of my message?

If I hit the Escape key before the blue box appears, enter our Windows password, press enter and Escape again I get to the Startup Menu, where I can get into the Boot Menu, the BIOS, Diagnostics, etc...  When I go into the BIOS I fail to see any log in password, or any security of any type.

The BIOS has 5 headings across the top. One of them is Secuirty, which has an option  labeled Power-on Password. Clicking on it shows
Old Password [ ]
New Password [ ]
Confirm Password [ ]

As you can see, they are all blank. Nonetheless, I put the cursor on each entry and hit the delete key about 10 times. Then I did a Save & Exit. It gave me no error for not actually entering the 'old' password. But it made no difference because it still brought up the power-on password screen and letting it blank didn't work. I had to enter my Windows password to continue, which of course led to the sign on screen which still wouldn't accept my password.

 Sometimes in forums like this I feel I'm getting a 'form answer'.  The replier skims the questions, looks for some keywords or phrases (power-on password), and shoots the thread starter a preformed answer, even though the 'answer' has only a nodding acquaintance with the question.  

Obviously that has happened here.  I see your user name is MrRobot.  Is that because you're not a real human being and we're getting computer answers?

[A4Apollo]

@boweasel, thanks for your response and time.

Thanks for trying out the steps.

The option you mentioned you are able to access BIOS.

Then please provide the exact error message you get when you boot into your PC.

If you are getting power on password error message. The details I have provided in the previous thread is valid.

It is a document from HP and I have not created that document.

To change the power on the password you have to enter the old password if you remember. Try entering the old password and leave the other rows blanks.

Save changes and exit. You will not be asked to enter the power-on password again.

I'll watch your reply!

Have a great day ahead! 🙂