Locked BIOS

[starhawk69]

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.

 

[DVDR_Dog]

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.