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Computer Restarting at Startup (previously: Sony Bios Passwords)
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Junior Member
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6. June 2006 @ 01:54 |
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I know this has come up before, e.g. in http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/78961, which happens to be exactly my problem. As tmehanna says in that thread:Quote:
The password for sony bioses are written on the flash rom as part of the firmware
So even if I take out the batteries, and unplug my laptop (PCG-FX390P) I still can't use the computer as the default password kicks in. Does anyone know how I can get a list of these passwords? (Bios model is 'PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0')
Ive contacted sony but they needed a proof of purchase - unfortunately I am not a packrat, so I dont have my receipts from 4 1/2 years ago.
Any help would be most appreciated!
Paladin
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 6. June 2006 @ 01:58
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Junior Member
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7. June 2006 @ 08:54 |
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Perhaps I could wipe the flash rom? Is there any way to do that?
Paladin
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Senior Member
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9. June 2006 @ 14:13 |
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Junior Member
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11. June 2006 @ 05:23 |
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yeah - ive tried doing most of those things apart from completely replacing my bios chip. Ive taken out my battery, and reset the CMOS via hardware, but unfortunately a password still comes back - presumably the default sony manufacture password - which I definitely do not know. Ive tried all lists of possible passwords on those sites, but to no avail.
I have thought about the Cmos PWD thing, but I dont really understand what I am supposed to do with it. I havent managed to download it yet because I am behind a school firewall, but when I do get it, am I supposed to put it on a floppy or what? If I do have to put it on some sort of media, I dont see how that will work either as my computer does not scan either the 3 1/2 inch floppy or the cd rom drive before it asks for a password.
Anyone have any advice/suggestions on this?
Better yet, maybe someone could send me a scanned copy of their proof of purchase of one of their sony Vaios, and I could edit it to make it look like mine so that Sony will finally take responsibility and help me!
Paladin
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 11. June 2006 @ 05:24
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Senior Member
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11. June 2006 @ 05:30 |
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I am not sure either how it works, so i cannot help you much there, i am surprised sony will not give you the default password, but did you try some obvious passwors? you model number, sony and you model number, stuff like that.
Good Luck
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ddp
Moderator
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11. June 2006 @ 08:11 |
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when removing the battery, did you disconnect the external power cord?
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Junior Member
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12. June 2006 @ 07:12 |
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yeah ive tried obvious passwords - but probably not all - ill give it another go.
Yeah the computer was completely powered down - no battery, no cmos battery, no A/C power. I definitely got a CMOS checksum error which i presume signifies a reset.
Paladin
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Senior Member
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12. June 2006 @ 07:22 |
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so you turned the labtop on with no battery inside or what (when you got the CMOS checksum error) ?
Also did you wait 10-20 min after taking out the batteries and all for the power to fully drain out?
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Junior Member
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12. June 2006 @ 23:50 |
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yah - i left it for an hour. It was completely drained. I suspect that tmehanna was correct in saying that the password for sony bioses are written on the flash rom as part of the firmware, and I need to find out how to wipe my flash rom in order to delete the password...
Paladin
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Junior Member
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18. June 2006 @ 01:27 |
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Don't worry guys. I phoned up Sony again, and perhaps I just got a more helpful guy - they helped me to unlock my computer. Said that my computer was so old that their manager said it didn't really matter. I was probably just lucky.
However, for anyone else with Sony BIOS problems, don't waste your time trying model number bios backdoor passwords. They have particular unlock codes which are numeric. You will never guess them. And I think it depends on your computer as well - the unlocking code is different according to your computer serial number.
Unfortunately I now have another problem: Whenever I try and switch on my computer, it asks whether I want to: 1. Start Windows Normally, 2. Start with Last Known good configuration, 3. Safe Mode, 4. Safe Mode with Networking, 5. Safe Mode with command prompt.
I have tried all these options and they all end up the same: a blue screen with characters flashes on (so fast I cant read anything) and then disappears and restarts the computer. I have still not managed to get into Windows. does anyone know what is going on?
Paladin
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Senior Member
5 product reviews
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18. June 2006 @ 01:49 |
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Try reinstalling windows.
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Junior Member
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18. June 2006 @ 04:38 |
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Yeah - I was going to do that, but I dont really want to lose all the data on my hard drive. Do you know how I might set my current hard drive as a slave drive on another computer? Then I could take out all the important info and reinstall windows. When I took my laptop apart however, I heard something ratteling in the hard drive casing which sort of worries me.
Paladin
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ddp
Moderator
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18. June 2006 @ 08:48 |
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you need an adapter to fit 2.5" to 3.5" ide cable or a 2.5" to usb adapter. the ratling noise might be alright tho won't know til you format the hd & see if there is any bad spots on drive.
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Junior Member
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19. June 2006 @ 01:58 |
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agh dont worry - I sent it to my school's computer services department. Although they are usually quite untrustworthy(!) I left it with a guy who usually does stuff right.
They might delete all my music or and games though... particularly if they suspect me of getting them off my friends. Don't think I had any porn on either.
Paladin
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