Member Avatar for TAZTSR

I've Been Looking On The Net On How To Remove The Forgotton Config Password. Seems That Dell And Others Just Want Your Money To Come Up With The Master Password. I'm Disabled And Have Very Little Being On A Fixed Income. If Any One Would Be So Kind Please Assist.
#f29wp61-595b

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A few clarifications and practical, low-risk options that help focus any next steps.

Different kinds of “password” lock a laptop in different ways: a pre‑boot (power‑on) password stops the machine before POST, a BIOS/Setup password prevents entering the firmware menus while the OS may still boot, and a disk‑level password or full‑disk encryption blocks access to the drive itself. Note exactly where the prompt appears and copy any on‑screen text verbatim — that determines what can be done safely and what cannot.

Gather these items before seeking help: the exact on‑screen message, the Dell service tag/model from the bottom sticker, whether the machine will boot from external media, and whether the drive was encrypted. With that information, the least‑risk route is to contact Dell support (service‑tag lookup and proof of ownership are typically required) or a reputable local repair shop; both can confirm whether a firmware reset is possible or whether board‑level service or drive replacement is needed.

Community tools and hardware resets have been suggested in this thread ( and ); those approaches are real options but carry tradeoffs. Software utilities require technical skill and can risk firmware corruption or data loss if used incorrectly. Hardware resets can physically damage the machine and often won’t clear manufacturer‑protected passwords on business‑class boards. Drive removal and connecting the disk to another computer will recover files only if the disk is not protected by a drive password or encryption.

For low‑cost help, check local community colleges, nonprofit tech programs, or neighborhood repair shops that accept donation‑based work; also ask the vendor about accommodations for financial hardship or accessibility needs. Only proceed with methods that match the specific password type and that preserve the drive when data recovery is the priority.

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Member Avatar for Anonymusius

Hello TAZTSR,
this is the community introduction forum, not the place to ask questions. I think you should post your question in Tech Talk -> hardware. To I don't know wether this question is legal to ask since it asks for an masterpassword where you normally have to pay for.

anyway, Welcome to the community!

BTW, why do you type every starting letter capitalized?

Member Avatar for BillTR

I've Been Looking On The Net On How To Remove The Forgotton Config Password. Seems That Dell And Others Just Want Your Money To Come Up With The Master Password. I'm Disabled And Have Very Little Being On A Fixed Income. If Any One Would Be So Kind Please Assist.
#f29wp61-595b

Hi,

While I am new to the site, I am an 'old hand' in the computer industry. I think that what you need will be found on this site:

http://www.cgsecurity.org/

There are tools there to allow you to reset a CMOS password. While the site does not specifically mention Dell machines, their CmosPwd program DOES list the Phoenix BIOS and that is what Dell uses on most of its' laptops.

Good luck and let me know how it works for you. :)

Regards,
BillTR

Member Avatar for DieterMue

if you can not boot from anything, the paperclip procedure is necessary

Member Avatar for BillTR

if you can not boot from anything, the paperclip procedure is necessary

:mrgreen:

True enough, but he said he couldn't get into the config. NOT that he could not boot the machine!!
My answer was targetted to his stated problem.

Regards,
BillTR

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