BIOS Password Reset Intransigence by HP

[Don178]

I continue to see questions about BIOS password resets on this business laptop forum and HP has NOT given any cogent reason for why people can no longer request the ability to reset unknown business PC BIOS passwords. I know that it hasn't been allowed since some time in 2018, but what is the reason and why was it OK prior to 2018? Many of us have legally acquired these PCs and there is no reason for denying access to the BIOS, particularly since the very reason one would want to update the BIOS is to address security issues. What gives!?!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

This change was implemented by HP because of security concerns.

HP Business PCs - Forgotten or Lost BIOS Password | HP® Customer Support

I had suggested to HP that folks should be able to get a password reset if they could provide proof of ownership, and my request was denied.

With the business PC's, HP was the only one that could help with that, because they have to send a special SMC.bin file that you used to reset the password.

Since HP will no longer provide this service, there is nothing anyone can do about it.

I used to provide BIOS P/W unlock codes to forum members that owned consumer class notebooks, and that is no longer permitted as well.

The forum rules of participation were changed to specifically prohibit any assistance with P/W removal.

Looking back, maybe giving out BIOS password unlock codes to anyone that asked for them was risky. 

I had no idea who owned the notebook, and who was asking for the BIOS P/W to be removed.

I remember once several years ago that, some school IT admin posted that an anonymous student set BIOS passwords on a bunch of school laptops, and he posted the disabled codes for them. 

He posted something like 15 different system disabled codes.

I was able to help him unlock all of the notebooks, and suggested that he set a BIOS password on them, and give the P/W to the principal as a backup.

I felt good about that because I probably saved the school hundreds, if not thousands of dollars by not having to purchase new equipment.

I even said that I would provide the codes to HP support after they verified PC ownership, and was told that it would create a quasi-employment status on my part, and that would not be permitted.

So, getting any help with BIOS passwords ain't gonna happen for the foreseeable future.

Since this is a peer to peer forum, and we don't work for or represent HP, I suggest you contact the HP executive team at the link below and address your concerns to them.

Executive Team: CEO email | HP® Official Site