Jim Watt wrote:
> On 13 Jul 2005 00:43:33 GMT, "nemo_outis" <abc@xyz.com> wrote:
>
>
>>>Basically yet, the first thing the BIOS does is check the HD for a
>>>password. The password is recorded in the non-volatile memory
>>>of the drive electronics.
>>>
>>>I have a working laptop which did have a drive protected by a
>>>password.
>>>
>>>--
>>>Jim Watt
>>>http://www.gibnet.com
>>>
>>
>>Actually the IDE standard supports TWO passwords directly on the HD itself:
>>the first a user password, the second a master (administrator) password.
>>There are methods of resetting, etc. the user password while retaining the
>>data on the HD; the only method of removing the administrator password
>>(unless you already know it!) entails losing all data on the drive.
>>
>>The standard tool (if your BIOS doesn't support this directly - and many
>>don't!) is ATAPWD by Alex Mina.
>
>
> Now that looks interesting;
>
> I spent a lot of time reading the ATA3 instruction set and discovering
> what the default master password was with a view to writing something
> like that, but haven't done anything in assembler since the days of
> CP/M and its not trivial.
>
> I see that program allows for a security erase which restores the
> disk to its original bare state, which is what the OP would be happy
> with..
>
> Given that the key can be 32 bytes in length, its a very strong
> method of protecting a disk's contents, although I guess a
> really determined highly technical party could get at the eeprom
> data.
>
> Its added to my toolbox, now to get that pesky locked drive
> out ...
> --
> Jim Watt
> http://www.gibnet.com

I'd like to thank everyone who kept this thread going, your advice has
been very helpful and much appreciated. I am resigned to getting a new
HD. At under $100.00 that's not too much. As I mentioned in my OP, I do
believe a second, Supervisory password was set as well. In light of
this, is it the consensus that simply installing a new HD make this
laptop usable? Thank you all again for your patience.