BIOS Admin pass removal

[Sir_Manbeard]

I apologize if this is the incorrect place for this post, I am new so my selection is rather limited I believe.
Short and Sweet.
Brand/Model: Dell Optiplex 3080 Micro
Motherboard P/N: 0HGFJM

Administrator Password is set and i'd like it to be removed
-MB as no jumper (literally says they got rid of it starting with this model, next option is the next thing I performed below).
-I performed a CMOS reset (as per manual - Turn PC off, then hold Power button for 20 seconds. ---It didn't work. no change.
-As per Dell's manual, I attempted a BIOS rewrite via USB using a particular method involving "/writehdrfile". ---It didn't work. Got error stating it didn't recognize the /writehdrfile command

Next thought is reprogramming the BIOS using my little BIOS chip reprograming kit. but i can't find a program that recognizes that chip.

At a loss here. The PC is still usable. I can reinstall the OS. But who wants to be locked out of most of the BIOS settings on their PC... especially their server lol.

Any help would be appreciated my doods.

 

[seashore]

I recommend you find a local professional technician.
@Kitten Kong

 

[Sir_Manbeard]

I recommend you find a local professional technician.
@Kitten Kong

I am the local professional technician. I've just never dabbed in figuring out the master password or figuring how which points on the board to touch together to reset it.

 

[frase]

You may need to contact Dell

DELL SUPPORT

Or try -

BIOS FIX

 

[Diggs]

Be sure if you contact Dell you know the previous owner name, address, etc. else you are out of luck. Dell is not very willing to change BIOS admin passwords. I've had a few computers come through where people had died and since I didn't have all the details from their kin there was nothing Dell would do.

 

[Sir_Manbeard]

Be sure if you contact Dell you know the previous owner name, address, etc. else you are out of luck. Dell is not very willing to change BIOS admin passwords. I've had a few computers come through where people had died and since I didn't have all the details from their kin there was nothing Dell would do.

Yea I found that out yesterday when I called. Pretty lame but I get it I guess. Just wish I could find a program that supports this BIOS (XMC QH256BK1Q). CH341A doesn't have it listed and I can't find other ones.

 

[Sir_Manbeard]

You may need to contact Dell

DELL SUPPORT

Or try -

BIOS FIX

Dell Support was a no-go.
I came across the BIOS Fix one, and all I want to do it learn how to do that myself xD I am curious if it matters that it's not a laptop.

 

[Markverhyden]

There's a reason why it can't be done outside of official support. Just like so many other security related enhancements that have been added over the years. The OEM's are proactively trying to keep from being a feed bag for lawyers. That model apparently came with TMP as well.

 

[sapphirescales]

I don't know if this will work for a desktop but the last BIOS password I had to clear was a pretty new Dell laptop and this worked for me:

BIOS Master Password Generator for Laptops

bios-pw.org

Guy bought it at a pawn shop and didn't know the password.

 

[Sir_Manbeard]

There's a reason why it can't be done outside of official support. Just like so many other security related enhancements that have been added over the years. The OEM's are proactively trying to keep from being a feed bag for lawyers. That model apparently came with TMP as well.

But that's the thing. It can be done outside of support, I'm just trying to find the knowledge.

 

[Sir_Manbeard]

I don't know if this will work for a desktop but the last BIOS password I had to clear was a pretty new Dell laptop and this worked for me:

BIOS Master Password Generator for Laptops

bios-pw.org

Guy bought it at a pawn shop and didn't know the password.

I appreciate your response. I did end up having to do that, which worked miraculously. I just want to know how they do it. I know that guy isn't from Dell Support. The knowledge has to be out there somewhere.

 

[nlinecomputers]

But that's the thing. It can be done outside of support, I'm just trying to find the knowledge.

No, IT CAN'T. Dell is locking down such backdoors. You need to change ownership and then Dell will be happy to help you. https://www.dell.com/support/assets-transfer/en-us

 

[sapphirescales]

@Sir_Manbeard So that site for reverse engineered BIOS passwords for laptops worked for your desktop?

 

[Your PCMD]

I've had a situation like that, but my way to solve it was something you probably couldn't do. I paid $80 for 4 Dell 5050 MFF from a company that went out of business and they were bios locked. So, on a visit to Austin to see my daughter, I popped them by the Dell plant there and they had them unlocked in about 20 seconds, OFC I did have to show the receipt which has the service tags listed.

 

[Sir_Manbeard]

@Sir_Manbeard So that site for reverse engineered BIOS passwords for laptops worked for your desktop?

I apologize! I saw bios-pw.org and my dumb brain saw "bios-fix.com"

 

[sapphirescales]

@Sir_Manbeard Thanks! It's always good to have another resource.

 

[Sir_Manbeard]

No, IT CAN'T. Dell is locking down such backdoors. You need to change ownership and then Dell will be happy to help you. https://www.dell.com/support/assets-transfer/en-us

I mean... I was able to get two of them unlocked yesterday. By someone who was definitely not with Dell..

 

[Sir_Manbeard]

I've had a situation like that, but my way to solve it was something you probably couldn't do. I paid $80 for 4 Dell 5050 MFF from a company that went out of business and they were bios locked. So, on a visit to Austin to see my daughter, I popped them by the Dell plant there and they had them unlocked in about 20 seconds, OFC I did have to show the receipt which has the service tags listed.

Nice! I ended up paying some guy for some master keys that unlocked them both. My next step was gonna be to just order new BIOS chips and replace them. But it was gonna take a month to get them lol

 

[Sir_Manbeard]

@Sir_Manbeard Thanks! It's always good to have another resource.

Yea it was a little shady but the codes worked flawlessly. The laptop site you had mentioned, I did hear they work on some Desktops too, but not sure.