Service Forum

schoen02 · Nou Venit Joined: 08 Dec 2011 Posts: 6

Hi, just reinstalled my Acer Aspire 1350 and initially everything went fine but after all Windows updates were done I got at the message to enter HDD password. Already tried to use the recovery cd but it did not work as the drive seems to be protected.

I bought this laptop a few years ago at an auction but never got this message before and only got it now as I want to sell it and therefore did a clean install from the recovery cd's.
I saw that there is a key generator but I do not see a key when trying to enter a password a few times.
Just get a message to enter HDD password and after a few times it mentions enter HD0 master password. After that it states 'HDD is locked now'.
Any ideas ?

bob · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 9:43 am Post subject:

Yes, but the fact is that Windwos upgrades or whatever do not change the ATA security status in the hard drives Very Happy

. First off the drive is security frozen after POST, even if Mr Gates planned an attack, nothign could be done. The drive was locked by someone and obviously on purpose.

The only update that could do anything is the BIOS update, a new BIOS version that works with a new password hash algorytm. But in the ACERS I doubt it.

Remove the locked hard drive then start the laptop and enter in BIOS setup. Check what is the BIOS manufacturer: Phoenix or Insyde

For Phoenix, let's see what you get if you enter these 3 magic words when asks for the password:

schoen02 · Nou Venit Joined: 08 Dec 2011 Posts: 6

Yes, that's what I do not understand.
I bought it a few years ago at an auction from the company where my wife's working (even received an invoice), it was actually her old laptop and we thought it would be nice for the kids.
It always worked fine but now we don't need it anymore and I wanted to sell it. So I used the Acer recovery cd's to get it in the original state and then applied all Windows updates. When this was all completed and I rebooted, I suddenly got this message and do not get what's caused this.

Already contacted the IT guy from that company but he was not aware of any HDD passwords being installed on their PC's.
Also tried the HDD Unlock Wizard this morning but this drive is not supported.

FYI, I also did a bios update about a week ago and the laptop was booted several times afterwards without problems.

It's indeed a Phoenix Bios.
When I boot it, I first get a message to enter HDD password, when trying that 3 times, I get a message to enter HD0 password and after that the message that the drive is locked.

bob · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 2:31 pm Post subject:

Very well, if you enter those 3 words, did you get some error message showing a number?

schoen02 · Nou Venit Joined: 08 Dec 2011 Posts: 6

No, this is what happened

Boot laptop, message 'Enter HDD password' is shown
I entered the first word, but it said 'Invalid password'.
Then tried again 2 times with the other 2 words, but again 'Invalid password'.
After the third time the message changed to 'Enter HD0 master password', but again no luck and got the message 'HDD is locked now'.

Not sure whether it helps but in the BIOS there's a HDD Master ID on the security screen. This is 16893511 but it sometimes switches for a second to 42155304, is this maybe related to the fact that it's locked ?
When I tried another disk, no error message is shown and there's a different HDD Master IDD but it does not switch to another number.

bob · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 3:16 pm Post subject:

Lad, visit www.allservice.ro/acer and enter those key codes and you'll get the unlock code.
Enter this code into the password field when it shows you the key code.

[Edit] if it works don't foget the donation Razz

schoen02 · Nou Venit Joined: 08 Dec 2011 Posts: 6

Maybe I'm doing something wrong Confused

This is what I get on the bios security screen:

Supervisor password is: Clear
User password is: Clear
Primary HardDisk Security: Set
HDD Master ID: 16893511 (and sometimes 42155304 for a second)

Set supervisor password: Enter
Set User password: Enter
Set HDD Password: Enter (this option disappears when HDD master ID changes to 42155304)

When I select Set HDD password and Enter, this is shown:
Enter current password
Enter new password
Confirm new password

No key code is shown in this screen so I've tried to enter the unlock codes for both 16893511 and 42155304 in the field 'Enter new password' but no luck.

Would definitely make a donation if this gets resolved.

bob · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 7:20 pm Post subject:

The mistake is clearily mine, I haven't been more specific, sorry/

So:
-Start the ACER and try to boot it. WHen it asks for the HDD pass, type 3 passwords, and again for HD admin until you get a numerical code.

-Goto www.allservice.ro/acer and enter that code in the calculator. It will give you the unlock pass after a few seconds.
Try the computed code with your ACER, exactly when it shows the key code on screen, type it and press Enter.

Also try the second keycode with the password calculator and see which of them worked.

I hope that now everything is clear.

schoen02 · Nou Venit Joined: 08 Dec 2011 Posts: 6

No no, your response was clear but for some reason no numerical code is shown. That's why I tried the same in the BIOS security menu.

When booting and after entering a HDD pass 3 times and the HD0 pass, it each time shows 'Invalid password' and finally 'HDD is locked now !'.
But as mentioned, no code is shown.
Could it be related to the laptop type (Acer Aspire 1350), maybe it's too old ?

Some other information that might be relevant:
BIOS version: ZP1 Q3A29
Hard disk: Seagate ST94011A

victor · S.F. Boss Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Posts: 2581 Location: Staff

Hi there,

schoen02 · Nou Venit Joined: 08 Dec 2011 Posts: 6

Unfortunately no luck, it keeps saying that the password is invalid Sad