Bios password reset for ProBook 5330m

[Kvarkas]

Hot to reset password on bios? Nobody remember password on this machine and windows need to be reinstaled but usb is disabled and no boot option for that. 😞

[IT_WinSec · Accepted solution]

Hello @Kvarkas

Welcome to the HP Support forum. Thank you for posting.

Most business class notebooks (including yours Probook, or Elitebooks) have better stronger security. Password cannot be removed here in the forum - you will have to contact HP Business Support for assistance on removing the password.

Here is how:

>> http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-phone-assist.html

>> https://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp

HP Business support should be able to send you a customised file and detailed instructions which you can use  to reset the password. Note that assistance for such issues is usually free of charge for HP business class computers.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you face any difficulties.

[Kvarkas]

I got .smc.bin file from support, however for me its not working to load it. WinKey + Up + Down keys do not shows load factory defaults 😞

[IT_WinSec]

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@Kvarkas wrote:

I got .smc.bin file from support, however for me its not working to load it. WinKey + Up + Down keys do not shows load factory defaults 😞

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Hi,

Thank you for your feedback.  Below you will find the detailed instructions.

With regards to the combo W+Up+Down

Press and hold the following three keys at the same time:

the Windows key (near alt) , then Up-Arrow key, and the Down-Arrow key

Like W (press and keep, don't release), Up-Arrow key (press and keep, don't release), Down-Arrow key (press and keep, don't release)  and finally, press the power-on button {all these 4 buttons}

You might need to use your two hands (all fingers combo) or assistance from another person.

If this does not work, please reach back to HP Support via email (or chat) for further more specific steps.

Once you receive the bin file, here are the necessary instructions you need to follow

Please make sure USB pendrive is formatted to FAT32 (not NTFS, not else)

Follow these steps to clear an unknown password for the BIOS administrator:

1. Save the attached SMC.bin file to a blank USB pendrive.
2. Shut down the notebook. Insert the USB pendrive into any USB port. (If this notebook has both USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, use a USB 2.0 port.)

3. Press and hold the following three keys at the same time:

the Windows key (near alt) , the Up-Arrow key, and the Down-Arrow key

4. Click one and release the power button

You will understand it worked

5. Once you see a grey "SMC Command" screen, release the three keys mentioned in step 3.

(Note: Steps 3, 4, and 5  signal the BIOS of this notebook to examine the USB ports and the HP_TOOLS partition for an SMC.bin file, and if it detects one, to run its command. This SMC.bin file contains the command to allow access into the BIOS as a BIOS administrator without supplying a password.)

You should see something on your screen

6. Read the grey screen about "SMC Command":

6a. If you see a message "SMC Command failure", contact HP support and attach photo of the F1 System Information
screen.

6b. On the other hand, if you see no "SMC Command" message of any sort, try steps 3, 4, and 5 again. You may also use a different brand and smaller capacity USB key. If that does not succeed, contact HP support. Pay attention to step 3 - press and hold the 3+1 button at the same time or very very fast one after another.

6c. If you see a message "SMC Command success", then the command has worked. Follow the on-screen instructions and restart the device. Begin tapping the F10 key (or the Esc key) like tap-tap-tap during start, so that the machine will go into the BIOS setup screen. (For this boot only, the machine should let you enter Setup without having to supply an administrator password. If the unit is restarted without performing the next step, the process will need to be ran again).

7. From the File screen in the BIOS, highlight and select the option to "Reset BIOS Security to factory defaults". (This will clear the old unknown password.) Follow the prompts, and restart the notebook when prompted. Reminder: if this notebook uses
BitLocker full disk encryption software, please choose to NOT reset the TPM! If it does not use BitLocker, you can also clear the TPM.

8. If you wish to set a new administrator BIOS password, you may do so on a future boot cycle by pressing F10 and setting a fresh BIOS admin password within the BIOS setup screen.
If there is any difficulty, particularly at steps 6a or 6b, contact HP support

Let me know if you face any difficulties.

[Kvarkas]

Reason why i want password reset - usb disabled. 

So i create partition with disk part for 2Gb - format it in fat32 name it HP_TOOLS and put this file in root.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZTcAwhxv9A

I record a video, after second chat with support they advice that SMC.BIN dhoulf be in capitals (in my case it was 573...-SMC.bin 

But now I see a message "SMC Command failure" was mentioned that to support, they promice to send new smc.bin file ... and close a case! o.O 

6h pass, no new file received.

Its was also mentioned that clock settings should be correct - how I may know correct they or not if cant bood laptop and no access for time in bios 😕

[Kvarkas]

So today I third time contact support, but this time not europe, but usa and they send me checkSMC file that generate report, and from that report its cleary states that SMC : *Disable that means that it not posible to reset such password. Only replacement of motherboard. 😞 

So case is clear - laptop goes to bin. Thanks HP for such great security! 😞

[IT_WinSec]

Thank you for posting back and for your feedback. Sorry about your issues. I have asked your case to be reviewed internally. I can't provide any ETA or guarantee - you might be contacted here in private in the following days.

[Cheron-Z]

@Kvarkas

I have brought your issue to the attention of an appropriate team within HP. They will likely request information from you in order to look up your case details or product serial number. Please look for a private message from an identified HP contact. Additionally, keep in mind not to publicly post personal information (serial numbers and case details).

If you are unfamiliar with how the Forum's private message capability works, you can learn about that here.

Thank you for visiting the HP Support Forum.

[Pat96]

ou still have the bin file?.. contacted hp support but was told they don't send the file no more

[IT_WinSec]

Hi @Pat96 

Thank you for posting in the HP Support Community.

Yes, as far as I know HP no longer provide SMC.bin files. Here is the latest article on this matter >> https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06368824

A motherboard replacement or another service may be needed. You can contact HP Support to set this up. Options vary depending on location and warranty status (Service fee may apply). You will have to  contact HP Support  for assistance on removing the password.