Recover or Erase password to access BIOS in Probook 4440s

[ErickP]

Sometime in the past I setup a password to prevent BIOS access. I forgot it. It was a long time ago.

Is there a way to remove (i do not care about recovery) the password for BIOS access?

I want to update BIOS, as well as asset numbers and some other configurations.

It is a Probook 4440s. Running Windows 10 64 bit in english. (yes...still going strong this notebookis   ;))

[DavidPK · Accepted solution]

Hi,

You will need to Contact HP Business support - they should be able to send you a customised SMC.bin file which you can use at boot to reset the password.

You can contact HP Business Support in your country via

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

or

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

Just to note, don't try removing the rtc battery.  It won't remove the password, but it will reset the clock - as smc files are time coded, a large disparity between the system clock and the time encoded in the smc will cause it to fail.

Regards,

DP-K

[ErickP]

Thanks for the reply.

I found these pages in the support website.

HP Elite/ProBook Notebook PCs - How to Remove BIOS ProtectTools User Account

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-probook-4440s-notebook-pc/5229486/model/5229488/document/c03...

HP Commercial PCs - Using BiosConfigUtility.exe (BCU) to Set a BIOS Administrator Password

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-probook-4540s-notebook-pc/5229455/document/c03161127/

however since BIOS has password, I cannot set a blank or new password because BIOS has one

C:\SWSetup\[sp88497>BiosConfigUtility.exe/nspwd:"1234567890"
<BIOSCONFIG Version="" Computername="DESKTOP-I4F0QAV" Date="2018/07/09" Time="22:26:11" UTC="19">
        <ERROR msg="Unable to process command. Password is set, but no password file is provided" />
        <ERROR msg="BCU return value" real="10" translated="10" />
</BIOSCONFIG>

C:\SWSetup\[sp88497>

[DavidPK]

Hi,

You're welcome.

As you mention, both of these require knowledge of the existing password and I don't believe there is any 3rd party software that will work for this model - unfortunately, I think the only option is to request a smc from business support.

Regards,

DP-K

[ErickP]

For community purposes:

In order to succesfully remove/change the password stored in BIOS in case you forgot it:

1- Do not remove the battery trying to reset the RTC clock. It will make things worse.

2- use the biosconfigutility found on the previous post to get the UUID of the affected system.

3- Contact HP (not HPE) support and ask nicely if the can generate a SMC.bin for you.

4- when they send you the smc.bin inan email then

USB Flash Drive of 4GB or lesser size formatted as FAT32 File system. Bigger sized flash drive may not work.

*You can also create the 2GB HP_TOOLS Partition from the link below if you do not have a smaller flash drive.

Link: http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp52501-53000/sp52509.exe

Steps:

1.Save attached smc.bin file in this e-mail to the root of a USB flash drive “(or save the file to the root of drive 😧 HP_TOOLS*)”

1. Power the notebook OFF.

3.** Hold down   windows key + up arrow + down arrow and power the notebook ON.

1. Let go of the keys at the HP splash-screen.
2. Press F10 repeatedly at the screen that shows up with a message, "SMC command handled successfully"
3. This should bring you into the BIOS where you need to choose “Reset BIOS security to factory default” and confirm by choosing Yes.
4. Exit the BIOS, saving changes.

Reasons for SMC command failure:

1. a)      Wrong UUID provided
2. b)      Wrong Serial number provided
3. c)      Wrong Date set on the PC
4. d)      SMC file used after 7 days of issue

NOTE: ** If step 3 does not work, download and run the program from the below link to create HP_TOOLS partition on the PC Hard Drive.

Link: http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp52501-53000/sp52509.exe

I hope this works for others!!!