jmhalder

this is spot on info, you WONT be able to simply throw in a live linux disc and format, it disables reading or writing to ANY part of the HD, including the partition table, lots of laptops "Bios" password just uses the ATA lock so that information cant be stolen, even if the hard drive is removed... for reference, this is how Xbox (1) HD's are locked from microsoft, except they get locked with a key that is generated from the eprom ID on the mobo... so you cant move one HD from a xbox to another.

jo_gobel

i had the A205 series as well and it did this too.


ended up having to take it in for a mobo replacement because it wouldnt take the new bios.


this a common problem for this laptop.

Jorsher

Ok, so ATA password

http://files.filefront.com/atapwdzip.../fileinfo.html

- download atapwd
- make bootable disc
- boot to that disc
- unlock harddrive

also, hdparm accomplishes the same.

J-SMITH69

if you can open the laptop up there probably is a jumper that will flash the bios to whatever it was when it was built

Skrenos

atapwd will only unlock the drive if you know the password. It cannot remove a password that is unknown.

I'm not sure if hdparm will work as that only changes certain parameters such as DMA, power management, acoustic levels, etc. Stuff that some BIOSes let you change (ie. Dell allows changing of the acoustic mode, DMA can be enabled in Windows).

The ATA password is stored in a 'special' place in the firmware ROM. Now you may be thinking, 'I'll just flash it'. Flashing wont touch that section of the ROM. You will have to raw read/write the rom with a utility such as debug.

seerex

Opencrack FTW!! will take less then 10min

Jorsher

Gay.

Just move the platters to another harddrive.

Better yet, buy one since they're dirt cheap.

sunboost

thats what imma do, i kept trying and nada.

i was looking at them and noticed ata 7 and ata 8 compliant, wtf is that all about? :1 enlighten me so i can buy the damn 250gb hd already.