Reset Bios password

[Crawshayi]

Hi!

I recently bought a retired and dead HP 840 G1 notebook (bought as parts or not working, without RAM and SSD/HDD). I repaired the MB and would like to install Linux, but I don't know the BIOS password. I could not find any registration of this product based on the serial or UUID. 

I found threads that Elitebooks have serious password protection, but it can be resetted by HP. Is there any chance to get some help from HP in this case or I have to replace the BIOS chip?

Any help is appreciated!

Cheers

[DavidPK · Accepted solution]

Hi,

At the password screen, hit enter 3 times. 

If you receive an 8 digit 'halt code', post back with this code.

If you don't receive a halt code, 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

Regards,

DP-K

[Crawshayi]

Thanks for the quick response! I called the regional HP support, but unfortunately they refused to help me, because it is necessary to have documents proving I am the official owner. This notebook was listed as MB faulty, but with working LCD screen, therefore it was reasonable low budget deal. (Anyway, in paralell I sent an email to the previous owner, perhaps he might help me...)

I also tried to send an email to the hpsupport_global@hp.com, but returned with an error: recipient mailbox is full...

[Zero14]

hello 

I did called them and they send me the hp recovery usb.

Is starting with the smc.bin possible even if the pc is setup to start with a password because i did called them today 

and he says its a thing thats out of warranty and i must pay to let them change the main board.

[Crawshayi]

Unfortunately they asked me to identify myself as the owner of the laptop and without that they can't help... I told them the simple facts (above mentioned) though. 

[Zero14]

Thank you for the replay

i can identify my self if that helps

i buyed the pc in france, it was the hp france support who says that.

they sayed its a wrong use from my part and they want to charge me for 

Wrong use: my finger is still the same and i know the password.

it must be a bug in there system.

i have the warranty and care pack until june 2020.

[Crawshayi]

Thanks for your kind help, but they need some scanned document (Hungarian HP support), which prove that I purchased legally the laptop and I am the real owner. 

I tried to send a mail to the global support, but returned with an error message that their mailbox is full, they are not able to receive more mail. (autoresponse)

[Zero14]

Ok how can i contact them directelly of is that not possible, by the way i have a x360 1030 g2 

[Crawshayi]

Thanks for the help for both of you! After some try I found a live chat option with HP support. It was not easy first, because I was always redirected to my regional support and they refused me. 

However the chat support kindly provided the smc file. Unfortunately, it did not work for me (tried two smc file and two BIOS version), so finally the BIOS chip replacement will be the option. The possible issue is that, during the MB repair the RTC was disconnected and the BIOS lost the time and date settings. This can not be recovered without the password, so this situation is a "Catch-22" 🙂

Thanks again!

[Crawshayi]

IMPORTANT UPDATE! Yesterday, the chat session with HP support closed with the conclusion: the BIOS chip itself may be corrupted. We tried two different smc.bin file and two BIOS version, but we got the error message 'smc command failure'. Additional information is that no ssd/hdd was installed in the laptop. In spite of these issues, yesterday evening I was able to install an ssd drive and Linux on the laptop. That worked without any problem. 

Today morning I checked the HW clock in linux and surprisingly it was synchronized with the Linux system time. I gave another try to perform smc.bin and it has run succesfully! As a result now I have full access to the BIOS.

CONCLUSION:

During repairing the motherboard the battery of BIOS was removed, which cleared the time and date in the BIOS. Since I had no permission to enter the BIOS, I was not able to set it again. (the BIOS time was asked by the support when smc command returned with failure, it could not be found in sys info (f1))

After installation of an ssd and Linux I assume that somehow the BIOS clock recovered and now the smc.bin command is already able to run without any issue. (or alternatively BIOS time and date refreshed by the internet connection which was established in Linux)

These facts in the conclusion are only speculations by me, but I tried to describe the process in detail, which resulted success finally. I hope this experience might contribute to solving similiar issues or just good to know! 🙂

Bests