NEED HELP! Customer locked out of her Acer Aspire 3680.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Alan
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A

Alan

NEED HELP! Customer locked out of her Acer Aspire 3680.
I hope no one minds me posting this question here but I am at a loss to
solve this issue and hope someone here can help. My customer is locked out of
her Acer Aspire 3680. She hasn’t used it for a few months and has forgotten
the password. I have searched the net for possible solutions and tried
everything I came across that appeared to make sense but other than sending
the laptop to Acer for them to unlock it at approx £100 plus postage and VAT
I have no idea.
I have tried and had no luck with the following:
• I have opened up the back to try and find the CMOS battery
• I have disconnected 4 connectors that look like they could lead to a CMOS
battery for more than 30mins
• Phoenix backdoor passwords: PHOENIX, CMOS, BIOS and phoenix
Any help would be much appreciated
Regards to all Alan
 
"Alan" <Alan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:8B813E7D-9D4A-4D76-B18D-DC0B123C2015@microsoft.com...
> NEED HELP! Customer locked out of her Acer Aspire 3680.
> I hope no one minds me posting this question here but I am at a loss to
> solve this issue and hope someone here can help. My customer is locked out
> of
> her Acer Aspire 3680. She hasn’t used it for a few months and has
> forgotten
> the password. I have searched the net for possible solutions and tried
> everything I came across that appeared to make sense but other than
> sending
> the laptop to Acer for them to unlock it at approx £100 plus postage and
> VAT
> I have no idea.
> I have tried and had no luck with the following:
> • I have opened up the back to try and find the CMOS battery
> • I have disconnected 4 connectors that look like they could lead to a
> CMOS
> battery for more than 30mins
> • Phoenix backdoor passwords: PHOENIX, CMOS, BIOS and phoenix
> Any help would be much appreciated
> Regards to all Alan
>


Acer may have to replace the BIOS chip.. send it back to Acer..

--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
 
"Synapse Syndrome" <synapse@NOSPAMsyndrome.me.uk> wrote in message
news:%23xErgqDsIHA.1872@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>
>> Acer may have to replace the BIOS chip.. send it back to Acer..
>>
>
> Huh? Why?


Oh right, just reread it, and realised that he is talking about a BIOS
startup password.

ss.
 
"Alan" <Alan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:8B813E7D-9D4A-4D76-B18D-DC0B123C2015@microsoft.com...
> NEED HELP! Customer locked out of her Acer Aspire 3680.
> I hope no one minds me posting this question here but I am at a loss to
> solve this issue and hope someone here can help. My customer is locked out
> of
> her Acer Aspire 3680. She hasn't used it for a few months and has
> forgotten
> the password. I have searched the net for possible solutions and tried
> everything I came across that appeared to make sense but other than
> sending
> the laptop to Acer for them to unlock it at approx £100 plus postage and
> VAT
> I have no idea.
> I have tried and had no luck with the following:
> . I have opened up the back to try and find the CMOS battery
> . I have disconnected 4 connectors that look like they could lead to a
> CMOS
> battery for more than 30mins
> . Phoenix backdoor passwords: PHOENIX, CMOS, BIOS and phoenix
> Any help would be much appreciated
> Regards to all Alan


She could try hypnosis, to recover the password.

ss.
 
"Synapse Syndrome" wrote:

> "Alan" <Alan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:8B813E7D-9D4A-4D76-B18D-DC0B123C2015@microsoft.com...
> > NEED HELP! Customer locked out of her Acer Aspire 3680.
> > I hope no one minds me posting this question here but I am at a loss to
> > solve this issue and hope someone here can help. My customer is locked out
> > of
> > her Acer Aspire 3680. She hasn't used it for a few months and has
> > forgotten
> > the password. I have searched the net for possible solutions and tried
> > everything I came across that appeared to make sense but other than
> > sending
> > the laptop to Acer for them to unlock it at approx £100 plus postage and
> > VAT
> > I have no idea.
> > I have tried and had no luck with the following:
> > . I have opened up the back to try and find the CMOS battery
> > . I have disconnected 4 connectors that look like they could lead to a
> > CMOS
> > battery for more than 30mins
> > . Phoenix backdoor passwords: PHOENIX, CMOS, BIOS and phoenix
> > Any help would be much appreciated
> > Regards to all Alan
>
>
> She could try hypnosis, to recover the password.
>
> ss.
>
> Thats funny!
>
 
Alan wrote:
> NEED HELP! Customer locked out of her Acer Aspire 3680.
> I hope no one minds me posting this question here but I am at a loss
> to solve this issue and hope someone here can help. My customer is
> locked out of her Acer Aspire 3680. She hasn't used it for a few
> months and has forgotten the password. I have searched the net for
> possible solutions and tried everything I came across that appeared
> to make sense but other than sending the laptop to Acer for them to
> unlock it at approx £100 plus postage and VAT I have no idea.
> I have tried and had no luck with the following:
> . I have opened up the back to try and find the CMOS battery
> . I have disconnected 4 connectors that look like they could lead to
> a CMOS battery for more than 30mins
> . Phoenix backdoor passwords: PHOENIX, CMOS, BIOS and phoenix
> Any help would be much appreciated
> Regards to all Alan


This guy managed to reset the password with WinPhlash.
(I don't know if your situation is the same.)
http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-11183-0.html?forumID=5&threadID=194932&messageID=2013304

Get it here:
http://www.acersupport.com/notebook/articles/tm420_winphlash.html
 
Alan <Alan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:


>I have tried and had no luck with the following:
>• I have opened up the back to try and find the CMOS battery
>• I have disconnected 4 connectors that look like they could lead to a CMOS
>battery for more than 30mins

It sounds like you haven't actually found the battery. It's got to be
there, it would be about the size and shape of a quarter (a silvery
disk about an inch or so in diameter). Look in the system or
motherboard documentation. Maybe you can find documentation about that
motherboard at Acer's web site.

--
Tim Slattery
MS MVP(Shell/User)
Slattery_T@bls.gov
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
 
"Tim Slattery" wrote:

> Alan <Alan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
>
> >I have tried and had no luck with the following:
> >• I have opened up the back to try and find the CMOS battery
> >• I have disconnected 4 connectors that look like they could lead to a CMOS
> >battery for more than 30mins
>
> It sounds like you haven't actually found the battery. It's got to be
> there, it would be about the size and shape of a quarter (a silvery
> disk about an inch or so in diameter). Look in the system or
> motherboard documentation. Maybe you can find documentation about that
> motherboard at Acer's web site.
>
> --
> Tim Slattery
> MS MVP(Shell/User)
> Slattery_T@bls.gov
> http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
>

Looks like finding the cmos battery is the key. I am looking for dissemble
instructions for the Acer Aspire 3680 but not having much luck. I have to be
careful not to damage it in any way
 
With many laptops the BIOS password isn't removed by clearing the CMOS. The
only way to remove it is by sending it to a factory authorized repair
center. I'm sure there is a procedure but as a security precaution to make
stolen laptops unusable it is a closely guarded secret. It is different for
different brands and even different models of the same brand.

--
Kerry Brown
MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/



"Alan" <Alan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:48498092-F681-4A22-8730-65A2DA53B79D@microsoft.com...
>
>
> "Tim Slattery" wrote:
>
>> Alan <Alan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> >I have tried and had no luck with the following:
>> >• I have opened up the back to try and find the CMOS battery
>> >• I have disconnected 4 connectors that look like they could lead to a
>> >CMOS
>> >battery for more than 30mins
>>
>> It sounds like you haven't actually found the battery. It's got to be
>> there, it would be about the size and shape of a quarter (a silvery
>> disk about an inch or so in diameter). Look in the system or
>> motherboard documentation. Maybe you can find documentation about that
>> motherboard at Acer's web site.
>>
>> --
>> Tim Slattery
>> MS MVP(Shell/User)
>> Slattery_T@bls.gov
>> http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
>>
>
> Looks like finding the cmos battery is the key. I am looking for dissemble
> instructions for the Acer Aspire 3680 but not having much luck. I have to
> be
> careful not to damage it in any way
 
Hello

For most ACER laptop if you remove the underside of the latop and then
screen next to where the second memory slot is there is DIP switch which has
written next to it remove password or such like, move the DIP switch to this
postition power up the machine and password is removed I had to do this on a
travelmate and works great. Before reassembling change the DIP switch back
to the original position.

Regards Michael
"Kerry Brown" <kerry@kdbNOSPAMsys-tems.c*a*m> wrote in message
news:71F1D4B2-A0D2-45D8-8302-633E19501E6B@microsoft.com...
> With many laptops the BIOS password isn't removed by clearing the CMOS.
> The only way to remove it is by sending it to a factory authorized repair
> center. I'm sure there is a procedure but as a security precaution to make
> stolen laptops unusable it is a closely guarded secret. It is different
> for different brands and even different models of the same brand.
>
> --
> Kerry Brown
> MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
> http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/
>
>
>
> "Alan" <Alan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:48498092-F681-4A22-8730-65A2DA53B79D@microsoft.com...
>>
>>
>> "Tim Slattery" wrote:
>>
>>> Alan <Alan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> >I have tried and had no luck with the following:
>>> >. I have opened up the back to try and find the CMOS battery
>>> >. I have disconnected 4 connectors that look like they could lead to a
>>> >CMOS
>>> >battery for more than 30mins
>>>
>>> It sounds like you haven't actually found the battery. It's got to be
>>> there, it would be about the size and shape of a quarter (a silvery
>>> disk about an inch or so in diameter). Look in the system or
>>> motherboard documentation. Maybe you can find documentation about that
>>> motherboard at Acer's web site.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Tim Slattery
>>> MS MVP(Shell/User)
>>> Slattery_T@bls.gov
>>> http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
>>>
>>
>> Looks like finding the cmos battery is the key. I am looking for
>> dissemble
>> instructions for the Acer Aspire 3680 but not having much luck. I have to
>> be
>> careful not to damage it in any way
>
 
In article <f8a3241f7cohgleidc8rou1njnia8h7il7@4ax.com>,
Tim Slattery <Slattery_T@bls.gov> wrote:
>>• I have opened up the back to try and find the CMOS battery
>>• I have disconnected 4 connectors that look like they could lead to a CMOS
>>battery for more than 30mins
>
>It sounds like you haven't actually found the battery. It's got to be
>there, it would be about the size and shape of a quarter (a silvery
>disk about an inch or so in diameter). Look in the system or

Not on a laptop. On a laptop it's going to be a long lumpy or round thing in an odd
color, kind of like a big resistor. And it may be soldered into place.

Anyway, you usually can't remove a laptop bios password by removing power,
because it's stored on a seperate chip. Now, Acer OEM's for IBM/Lenovo, and in any case
most of this stuff's standard parts. All Acer will do is replace the chip
which they may or may not be willing to sell. One thing you could try is find that
chip and simply call parts&service and request that part number. Another would be to
get the numbers on the chip itself and try to match them on a site that DOES sell these.
Look on, say Ebay, to find a couple of password chip sellers.

The last resort is pull the chip and find an EEPROM writer :-)
 
Hello

Just had a look on the service manual for thsi model and the jumper is on
the bottom of the board.

Regards Michael
"Alan" <Alan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:8B813E7D-9D4A-4D76-B18D-DC0B123C2015@microsoft.com...
> NEED HELP! Customer locked out of her Acer Aspire 3680.
> I hope no one minds me posting this question here but I am at a loss to
> solve this issue and hope someone here can help. My customer is locked out
> of
> her Acer Aspire 3680. She hasn't used it for a few months and has
> forgotten
> the password. I have searched the net for possible solutions and tried
> everything I came across that appeared to make sense but other than
> sending
> the laptop to Acer for them to unlock it at approx £100 plus postage and
> VAT
> I have no idea.
> I have tried and had no luck with the following:
> . I have opened up the back to try and find the CMOS battery
> . I have disconnected 4 connectors that look like they could lead to a
> CMOS
> battery for more than 30mins
> . Phoenix backdoor passwords: PHOENIX, CMOS, BIOS and phoenix
> Any help would be much appreciated
> Regards to all Alan
>
 
Alan wrote:
> NEED HELP! Customer locked out of her Acer Aspire 3680.
> I hope no one minds me posting this question here but I am at a loss to
> solve this issue and hope someone here can help. My customer is locked out of
> her Acer Aspire 3680. She hasn’t used it for a few months and has forgotten
> the password. I have searched the net for possible solutions and tried
> everything I came across that appeared to make sense but other than sending
> the laptop to Acer for them to unlock it at approx £100 plus postage and VAT
> I have no idea.
> I have tried and had no luck with the following:
> • I have opened up the back to try and find the CMOS battery
> • I have disconnected 4 connectors that look like they could lead to a CMOS
> battery for more than 30mins
> • Phoenix backdoor passwords: PHOENIX, CMOS, BIOS and phoenix
> Any help would be much appreciated
> Regards to all Alan
>


What did Acer's Tech support tell your customer when she called them?


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
I see everyone talking about BIOS password and the battery or reset
jumper/switch.
Did I miss something?
The poster didn't specify BIOS password, is it possible they just need the
Windows password?
There are several bootable CDs that will reset that...
Resetting the BIOS password won't affect the Windows password.

--
A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
CarGodZeroOne@hotmail.com
Change Alpha to Numeric to reply

"Alan" <Alan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:8B813E7D-9D4A-4D76-B18D-DC0B123C2015@microsoft.com...
> NEED HELP! Customer locked out of her Acer Aspire 3680.
> I hope no one minds me posting this question here but I am at a loss to
> solve this issue and hope someone here can help. My customer is locked out
> of
> her Acer Aspire 3680. She hasn’t used it for a few months and has
> forgotten
> the password. I have searched the net for possible solutions and tried
> everything I came across that appeared to make sense but other than
> sending
> the laptop to Acer for them to unlock it at approx £100 plus postage and
> VAT
> I have no idea.
> I have tried and had no luck with the following:
> • I have opened up the back to try and find the CMOS battery
> • I have disconnected 4 connectors that look like they could lead to a
> CMOS
> battery for more than 30mins
> • Phoenix backdoor passwords: PHOENIX, CMOS, BIOS and phoenix
> Any help would be much appreciated
> Regards to all Alan
>
 
Hi NotMe

Yes they did mention in the first post about tried reseting BIOS, removing
battery etc.

Regards
"Not Me" <cargodZeroOne@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:796CA6CE-EBF2-4A1E-8190-48944689BC12@microsoft.com...
>I see everyone talking about BIOS password and the battery or reset
>jumper/switch.
> Did I miss something?
> The poster didn't specify BIOS password, is it possible they just need the
> Windows password?
> There are several bootable CDs that will reset that...
> Resetting the BIOS password won't affect the Windows password.
>
> --
> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
> CarGodZeroOne@hotmail.com
> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
>
> "Alan" <Alan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:8B813E7D-9D4A-4D76-B18D-DC0B123C2015@microsoft.com...
>> NEED HELP! Customer locked out of her Acer Aspire 3680.
>> I hope no one minds me posting this question here but I am at a loss to
>> solve this issue and hope someone here can help. My customer is locked
>> out of
>> her Acer Aspire 3680. She hasn't used it for a few months and has
>> forgotten
>> the password. I have searched the net for possible solutions and tried
>> everything I came across that appeared to make sense but other than
>> sending
>> the laptop to Acer for them to unlock it at approx £100 plus postage and
>> VAT
>> I have no idea.
>> I have tried and had no luck with the following:
>> . I have opened up the back to try and find the CMOS battery
>> . I have disconnected 4 connectors that look like they could lead to a
>> CMOS
>> battery for more than 30mins
>> . Phoenix backdoor passwords: PHOENIX, CMOS, BIOS and phoenix
>> Any help would be much appreciated
>> Regards to all Alan
>>
 
Remove cover, remove modem, under moden is a small battery with red and
black wire. I disconnected for 2 minutes, put back together and all ok
 
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