Bios password not working

[PrinceChima]

installed Linux Mint and Bios Password not working again.

[IT_WinSec]

Hello @PrinceChima

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

Installing a different operating system will not fix BIOS passwords as BIOS and HDDs are different parts of the computer.

You own a business class PC. Most business class notebooks (including yours Elitebook and Probook) have better 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 SMC.bin file and 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.

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

If the above does not help, please contact HP Business support

Hope this helps.

Let me know if you face any difficulties.

[PrinceChima]

Thank you for this response. Sincerely the instruction is overwhelming but let me try to follow it and see the result. Thank you!

[REO51ST · Accepted solution]

@PrinceChima

Contact HP and they should be able to send you a customized SMC.bin file which you can use at boot to reset the password.

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

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

When talking to the HP rep ask them to escalate your service request.

Or download these files.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zu4kdgxm052l87d/AAAMi-k​​fX4AVH8oTCbsOM4X9a?dl=0

Insert clean USB flash drive.

Then run USB Image tool.

Choose the flash drive then click on RESTORE.

After restore remove flash drive.

Insert flash drive into locked laptop and boot. ”If HDD is installed remove before booting.”

At C:\OUTPUT   type CD..   “Then hit enter”

Type HPBR   “Then hit enter”

First thing is to save your settings.

Select #3 re-program.

Press “S” to save system information.

Type HPBR and hit enter.

Select   “FIRST RUN”

Then select model.

After reboot repeat same as above but this time SELECT “SECOND RUN”

REO

I must inform you that these services are not endorsed by HP, and that HP is not responsible for any damage that may arise to your system by using these services. Please be aware that you do this at your own risk.