Asus X501 Bios password removal

[frenchscottie]

I think I know the answer before I ask, but just in case someone knows i'll ask.
Customer brings in his Asus X501 windows 8 laptop, says he was drunk and thinks he must of put on a password. Now this customer's been in with the same laptop before so I know it's legit and not knocked off.
I turn it on thinking it's just the windows password, but no it's the Bios password, well I assume it's the bios all you get when turned on is black screen small blue box in centre of screen saying password, you don't see anything on screen when booting till this pops up. I don't think it will be the HDD password. I've dealt with older Dell etc with same problem where it gives you the serial number first and askes for password which is easy to clear.
I've never had a windows 8 laptop with this problem.
The old list of backdoor passwords won't work on newer laptops.
Almighty Google's not much help.
So does anyone know if there is a new list of backdoor passwords or will I have to call Asus with his proof of purchase, if he has one.

 

[Rayspcsolutions]

Have you tried accessing the Bios? F2 at startup I think. It is probably a user password. If it turns out to be a hdd passsword i believe those are stored on the hdd so you should be able to replace the drive and get it back working.

On a side note though, what would possess a drunk guy to go into the bios and activate a password(s)?

I just recently worked on ASUS G75VW the customer asked me to set the bios AND User password in which the bios password protects the bios settings and the user password will not let the computer boot into windows. The user password on this machine gave the same nondescript box just to input the password.

 

[frenchscottie]

Thanks for reply. I can't get into bios or anything tried different keys etc.

 

[frenchscottie]

Just found out it was the guys mate who put on the password for a laugh, and can't remember what it was.
A costly laugh.
Removed hard drive and it still comes up so seems it's definitely bios password.
No way to get into bios etc. So he came and picked it up.
Only way is to replace bios chip or MB.

 

[frase]

WEll looks like it's the mates shout for some time at their local!
Though may be a point that you can short on mobo
see here -
http://www.rm.com/support/technicalarticle.asp?cref=tec1510072

 

[pcmedicri]

Have you tried removing the cmos battery?

 

[frenchscottie]

Have you tried removing the cmos battery?

That's the first thing I tried but I've never seen that to work on a laptop in a very long time.
The laptops been returned to customer as a lost cause. He will just have to have his mate try to remember what he changed it to.

 

[Dedicatech]

Can you select a different boot device? If yes then try and boot up Hirens, if I remember correctly it has a BIOS PW removal tool built in it.

 

[frenchscottie]

Can you select a different boot device? If yes then try and boot up Hirens, if I remember correctly it has a BIOS PW removal tool built in it.

It wouldn't let you do anything until password entered.
This is now closed as I have returned the laptop to customer.