Omnibook bios unlock password

[Iconoscope]

I made the mistake of updating the bios on this mini notebook to a version that supports Windows 95.  The update proceeded smoothly and completed, then restarted.  Upon restart, at the conclusion of POST, the machione asked for a password.  There was never a password set previously.  Searching this forum I discovered that it is possible to get a hash code from the machine by pressing Shift-Alt-F10.  That works and I get an 8 character code, but that code must be decrypted to provide a password.  HP techs don't know how to accomplish this as the unit is about 20 years old!  Can someone here help me?  Thanks!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

My understanding is that model has a Phoenix BIOS, so the only suggestion I can offer is to enter the halt code in the box at the link below and see if it generates a usable unlock code.

http://bios-pw.org/

[Iconoscope]

Did not work.  I tried several times.  The notebook gives me a different code everytime I use the Shift-Alt-F10 procedure.  The bios is indeed a Phoenix Technologies bios, datewd 1/26/96.  Thanks for the effort!!

[REO51ST]

@Iconoscope

Remove the main battery.

Then remove or disconnect the BIOS/RTC battery.

If that does not work look for contacts that look like this under the memory and short them.

REO

[Iconoscope]

The HP Omnibook 600C product id F1110A, does not have a bios cmos battery, nor does it have any means to alter the bios settings except via the keyboard.  The bios is contained in three eeproms similar in function to today's flash memory 'thumb' drives.  One of those three contains the user alterable settings, but I don't know which one.  

Thanks for the effort anyway!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You may want to check the closed enterprise business support forum section and do a search "clear BIOS password for Omnibook 600C."

That was the forum until recently where forum support for all business products were posted.

The notebook threads are all locked now, but perhaps you will find something of help to you.

http://h30499.www3.hp.com/

[Iconoscope]

[Iconoscope]

The only reference I found in the business forum was from someone that had exactly the same problem I have and also no solution to that problem.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Sorry there was nothing over there for you either.

[Iconoscope]

There is a procedure to recover the password, but this notebook is so old that the techs at HP are unaware of the solution.  That solution is for the user to click shift-alt-F10 when the machine asks for a password.  That brings up an eight character word above the password window.  That eight character word is then read to the HP tech support by phone, whereupon the tech enters the word into a decryption routine that provides a password.  At present, the tech support people at HP know nothing of this procedure, but they are researching it!

 This notebook is about twenty years old, and one of a series that began with the Omnibook 300, followed by the Omnibook 400, 425, 500, 530, 600 and 800, all in the same form factor.  I also have the Omnibooks 425 and 530, both in fine working condition.  The 600C worked fine as well until I upraded the bios!  The Omnibook series was discontinued in 2003 with several models produced that had the identical model name but were vastly different machines.

Thanks to all for the responses, you do good work!!