• ×
    Information
    Need Windows 11 help?
    Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
    Windows 11 Support Center.
  • post a message
  • ×
    Information
    Need Windows 11 help?
    Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
    Windows 11 Support Center.
  • post a message
Guidelines
Are you having HotKey issues? Click here for tips and tricks.
HP Recommended
HP DC7900 Convertible Minitower

I have been playing around with many different OS systems to see which one I liked best. A worm had got into my windows os.

so I have changed the bios setup password a couple times. well... now... I have tried every password I used, and tried clearing by removing the jumper, battery and even letting it sit over night without battery, power ect. still... will not clear. the only thing that changes is the date in the bottom right of the password prompt. HP stopped giving out the default password 5 months ago.

Can anyone please help me out. MUCH THANKS in advance.    LiamJax_1

6 REPLIES 6
HP Recommended

you could try the POSTED DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO DO A PASSWORD RESET that are plainly listed in the user manual for the dc7900,  is there a reason you don't want to make use of the information on the dc7900 that HP has made available?

 

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/371095/Hp-Dc7900-Convertible-Minitower-Pc.html?page=68

 

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03508831

HP Recommended

I have done all that. I have read it over and over and have done it over and over, still with no luck. i found out that there is a default password that can be used. However HP stopped giving that info out about 5 months ago. 

HP Recommended

Flashing the bios isn't an option. you have to get into the bios to flash it.

HP Recommended

There are a couple of things related to this......  first,

"The password jumper is green so that it can be easily identified....."

http://www.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01549447.pdf         and search for "password".

 

A bunch of the HP workstation manuals have had this wrong over over for years.  The color for that jumper may actually be blue so you really need to be very careful.  This is so old it may truly be green.  That was from a copy/paste mistake that propagated down over time.  On the motherboard next to the header will be a tiny printed E49 and you will need a mag glass and a flashlight.  Don't lose that jumper.

 

Second, you need to look up info for the correct version of the "series"..... CMT, SFF, USFF.... the general manual is generic to the whole series.  See p. 49

 

http://www.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01549447.pdf

 

Third..... the password is stored on an EEPROM that needs to have zero power leaking to it across any component attached to the motherboard.  You may not actually clear the EEPROM by just pushing the clear CMOS button.  You have to do more than what it says in the manual.  Detach any peripheral from the motherboard which might provide power from a battery or capacitor, which includes ethernet cable, keyboard, mouse, and the main computer power cable.  Do that after you have removed the CMOS battery as a basic step many forget.  Then follow the directions.

 

A "stuck" setting can happen, it can only be really fixed when CMOS EEPROM is truly cleared, I follow the directions both before and after I do a full overkill drain of all the capacitors, and have fixed this very issue thereby.

 

 

HP Recommended

I think I may have enabled Stringent password the last time I was in it. Is there a way to get around that?. Im not a beginner but I'm not a expert either. I have went as far as taking the motherboard completely out taking the processor out and anything and everything that I could unplug from it and discharging the capacitors

HP Recommended

If you forget the setup password set in Computer Setup, you will not be able to access the utility.
● If you have the stringent security feature enabled in Computer Setup and you forget the setup
password or the power-on password, the computer is inaccessible and can no longer be used. Call
Customer Care or your service partner for additional information.
● If you forget the power-on password and the setup password set in Computer Setup, you cannot
turn on the computer or restore from hibernation. Call Customer Care or your service partner for
additional information.
● If you forget both the user and the master DriveLock passwords set in Computer Setup, the hard
drive that is protected by the passwords is permanently locked and can no longer be used.

 

 

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00720283

† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the <a href="https://www8.hp.com/us/en/terms-of-use.html" class="udrlinesmall">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="/t5/custom/page/page-id/hp.rulespage" class="udrlinesmall"> Rules of Participation</a>.