Want to buy a laptop? Got a real nice deal on a Laptop from a reseller on E-bay couple of weeks ago. Came nicely packaged and was as described EXCEPT when I went into bios to clear the TPM and change some settings I find that the bios is locked. So I go to the seller and complain and they say "We mentioned that it was locked in the description so too bad for you". I go back to the listing and yes they did mention it way down in the listing where you wouldn't see it unless you were looking for it. Anyway it's mine now for better or worse.
This bios is locked down hard, no booting from USB so can't install another OS, HD locked and paired with PEK so any HD I install will also end up the same way, Adsolute Computrace is enabled and active, set to boot from NIC first, plus many other annoying settings. So anybody here know of any way to clear the BOIS on a Dell Latitude 5410? I've tried all the usual things, removed the battery and coin cell, held down esc and ctrl while booting, contacted Dell and started a support request but am still waiting to hear from back from them. Just out of curiosity I tried removing the ssd and booted it and it literally screamed at me and threw a boot error with a QR code to Dell. Screamed so loud it woke up my girlfriend. Any suggestions as to how to remedy this would be greatly appreciated. I don't have much hope except for Dell getting back to me with the master reset code. They really have come a long way in securing the BIOS all the settings are stored in non volatile memory so the old tricks won't work. Did happen to find a website that claims to get you an unlock code for $75 but ..........

P.S. Just looked at the price of 16g so-dimms, they cost more than I paid for the computer, so not a total loss after all.

Well there might be. First Dell does have an algorithm that will given them the the default password if you call and can prove ownership. That's to prevent stolen laptops being used. So barring that I am not sure what you might be able to do. The password has been stored in NVRAM (non-volatile RAM) it doesn't need external power to hold it's settings. So Dell's weren't impossible, I used to crack older ones all the time. ThinkPads, you might as well toss them or have the BIOS chip replaced.
Let me do a little research to see what I might find out. Keep in mind if you or the person who sold it to you can prove ownership, Dell will give you the master BIOS P/W.

J242
that used to unlock pretty much every BIOS back in the 90's and still works today.

If the bios is password locked, usually you can destroy the CMOS setting by shorting out the clear bios jumper, unless its a Satellite Pro, Took me months to figure that unlock out, since then I leave Samsung stuff alone, too much time lost

Diguelo said:

J242
that used to unlock pretty much every BIOS back in the 90's and still works today.

If the bios is password locked, usually you can destroy the CMOS setting by shorting out the clear bios jumper, unless its a Satellite Pro, Took me months to figure that unlock out, since then I leave Samsung stuff alone, too much time lost

Click to expand...

Won't work with a laptop. NVRAM means just that Non-Volatile.
Did you have any luck with Dell? There used to be a program that did give you the admin unlock p/w, those days are gone. $75? Part it out. Screen, keyboard, RAM, SSD, random jacks, case. Should be worth a couple of hundred. Unfortunately your system is one of 3 things: sent for ewaste recycling, a former employee forgot to return their system, or flat out stolen. Keep in mind the Computrace is active so I would keep it off line or only on routers that have vpn active, but keep in mind, you are pretty much beating a dead horse unless Dell comes through which I doubt. If you are approached plead immaculate conception and point them to the seller.

Shorting out CMOS only works on desktop boards.
If you are feeling brave:
Clearing the BIOS

Yeah, so I contacted seller and they said: "We source these laptops directly from professional environments and companies that are either liquidating assets or requesting certified data destruction services. We have full authorization to resell these devices and maintain all necessary R2v3 certifications to ensure compliance and proper handling procedures." but when I asked for the documentation to send to Dell.... I'm still waiting for a reply.
Anyway, I gave it to my girlfriend to use for watching Youtube videos and playing her Big Fish games. Warned her not to use it for anything serious like banking or shopping. Did a complete factory reset and installed a fresh copy of Win 11 (cause that's the only OS it will allow) and tamed it with Winhance and OO Shutup as well as I could.
I thought about parting it out. The 16 GB memory stick and 256GB SSD alone would cover what I paid for it so no big deal I guess.
Watched that video you suggested Mr Dog. Very interesting but I'd have to buy a lot o tools to accomplish that. Got me thinking about getting some tools to start hardware hacking. There are some really cool gadgets around that can accomplish amazing things today. Flipper Zero, Cardputer, Rubber Ducky, O.MG cable, Bash Bunny, all cool gadgets that I'd love to get ahold of some day. Just for fun of course.

starhawk69 said:

Yeah, so I contacted seller and they said: "We source these laptops directly from professional environments and companies that are either liquidating assets or requesting certified data destruction services. We have full authorization to resell these devices and maintain all necessary R2v3 certifications to ensure compliance and proper handling procedures." but when I asked for the documentation to send to Dell.... I'm still waiting for a reply.
Anyway, I gave it to my girlfriend to use for watching Youtube videos and playing her Big Fish games. Warned her not to use it for anything serious like banking or shopping. Did a complete factory reset and installed a fresh copy of Win 11 (cause that's the only OS it will allow) and tamed it with Winhance and OO Shutup as well as I could.
I thought about parting it out. The 16 GB memory stick and 256GB SSD alone would cover what I paid for it so no big deal I guess.
Watched that video you suggested Mr Dog. Very interesting but I'd have to buy a lot o tools to accomplish that. Got me thinking about getting some tools to start hardware hacking. There are some really cool gadgets around that can accomplish amazing things today. Flipper Zero, Cardputer, Rubber Ducky, O.MG cable, Bash Bunny, all cool gadgets that I'd love to get ahold of some day. Just for fun of course.

Click to expand...

I hope just for fun. You touch a couple of the wrong bytes and instant brick. Remember your BIOS initializes communication of your system and the outside world, all communications.