BIOS & Drivelock - What BIOS Versions Don't Support Drivelock?

[ForsitheComputers]

Drivelock/HDD Password Protection is not supported on older mobos because the BIOS version does not support it. It has been reported that when a HDD is used with a BIOS that is older it just lets you right in. I need to know what versions do not support Drivelock.

If i can find out what versions don't support it and find a download for that or those particular BIOS versions then I can flash a computer and use it specifically for recovering data on a Drivelocked HDD.

 

[vdub12]

Drivelock/HDD Password Protection is not supported on older mobos because the BIOS version does not support it. It has been reported that when a HDD is used with a BIOS that is older it just lets you right in. I need to know what versions do not support Drivelock.

If i can find out what versions don't support it and find a download for that or those particular BIOS versions then I can flash a computer and use it specifically for recovering data on a Drivelocked HDD.

Why not just have an old computer you use on the bench?

 

[ForsitheComputers]

I dont have an older computer. I have too much win in me. lol

 

[KompuKare]

Hm, I think you're being a bit optimistic here. The HDD passwords have not got anything to with mobo BIOSs so I think you're out of luck.
But anyway have a look at this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_ATA#HDD_passwords_and_security

 

[ForsitheComputers]

Yeah they do. The BIOS stores a hash. This is why when you switch out and HDD to another computer it still cannot be recovered. it can only be unlocked with the BIOS that locked it.

But that's beside the point. it has been reported that an Older BIOS will completely ignore the HDD password and bypass it without a thought. Thats what I want to try out.

Ive also read that article and many others already

 

[MrUnknown]

I think you might be confused. HDD passwords are stored on the hard drive in a special area. The bios needs to send th password to the drive before it will allow access. Otherwise this security measure would be completely useless.

Older motherboards simply will not be able to activate the hard drive

 

[ForsitheComputers]

I know that the actual password is stored on the HDD but I found somewhere that an older BIOS will just ignore the password and bypass it. Are you sure that I am wrong about that bit?

 

[daniel]

windows xp pro question

My computer doesn't want to boot and I keep getting a white screen any suggestions?

 

[ForsitheComputers]

This is not the appropriate forum for support questions. Technically this isn't really the message board for support questions. This website is for technician collaboration, consulting, and business solutions. Sorry buddy, wrong place.

However if you would direct your attention to the below link, it may help you out
http://www.computerhope.com/

 

[MrUnknown]

I know that the actual password is stored on the HDD but I found somewhere that an older BIOS will just ignore the password and bypass it. Are you sure that I am wrong about that bit?

while I don't care for Steve, I found this while searching. Go here:
http://www.grc.com/sn/sn-173.htm

and search for "Steve: ...it can be bad."

The question and answer below it should help you.

Basically, a locked HDD will not respond to any commands that return user data unless a unlock command is first sent. If the BIOS can not send this command, then the HDD will not respond.

 

[KompuKare]

while I don't care for Steve, I found this while searching. Go here:
http://www.grc.com/sn/sn-173.htm

and search for "Steve: ...it can be bad."

The question and answer below it should help you.

Basically, a locked HDD will not respond to any commands that return user data unless a unlock command is first sent. If the BIOS can not send this command, then the HDD will not respond.

That answer was informative. So my initial response above was almost correct. Actually after posting that an other idea occurred to me: thinking about Thinkpad password unlocking:
http://www.passwordmethod.com/content/view/13/27/
and looking at this dead HDD I have here, there does seem to be some of those 8-pin EEPROM on the PCB. So IF the data was encrypted with a hash stored on an EEPROM it might be possible to decrypt that password hash that way but after reading Steve's answer it seems the password is stored on the platter which means the only way to recover is either with a master password or using a custom controller which can read that info.

Mind you, since the actual data isn't encrypted, ATA passwords aren't actually very secure for someone with the right equipment...

 

[ForsitheComputers]

I read somewhere that that are sometimes encoded. I dunno how often.

*sigh* crush my dreams why don't yah. haha. I still want to find a way to do it on my own. I refuse to believe that its impossible. I just have to figure out how.

20 years from now ill have my own company that introduces a new type of lock that is better because my company figures out how to crack the old one. I'm gonna come on this forum and say "HAH! How yah like them apples!"

but anyway back to reality. a controller you say? hmm. I just hate having to pay for a service for a tech job.

 

[rahimhd]

For laptop hdd password, it can be unlock by generating master password from the generated hash spit out by the laptop. Visit: http://www.acersnoop.co.cc/services.html and you might get lucky