Question

[.Gregory.]

I tried to use Wubi on my new Toshiba Satellite A200-1G2 but had to cancel the installation twice and just shut it down after. The next time I booted my laptop, the bios suddenly asked for a password.

I've been unable to get access on my computer for a week now. I called the Toshiba helpdesk and they said that to remove the password, the laptop has to be shipped and I would have to pay 70 euros (which I don't really intend on paying, since I've only been able to use my new computer for 2,5 days).

Does anybody know why this problem has occurred and how to fix it?

[ago]

You need to run chkdsk /r from windows CD
If you do not have the windows CD use

http://www.tweakxp.com/article36941.aspx

[.Gregory.]

The big problem is that I can't boot from a cd. Not to mention the fact that the computer has Vista on it:mad:

[ZenWarrior]

I've been unable to get access on my computer for a week now. I called the Toshiba helpdesk and they said that to remove the password, the laptop has to be shipped and I would have to pay 70 euros (which I don't really intend on paying, since I've only been able to use my new computer for 2,5 days).

Bull! I've been through that one before. I was first told I'd have to ship my laptop in and pay a ransom, but that turned out not to be correct. I have no idea how you might do it, but you need to find someone (a manager?) who actually understands the problem and solution. Once I did that, all I had to do was fax Toshiba proof of ownership information--my I.D. and the purchase receipt. They then faxed me a code to unlock the computer right back. Oh, and I bypassed the toll-free number to get beyond the first-line idiots (a.k.a. customer service reps). Instead, I found the "real" number for their corporate headquarters. That's how I got through.

Believe me when I say you may have to fight for this one. No less than 3 people told me what you've already heard. But again, I finally found a manager who truly knew the routine. If Toshiba does not offer you the fax solution, then propose it yourself. After all, the password is there only to keep people other than the owner out. Prove you are the owner and Toshiba *will* let you back into your PC. That was my experience. I wish you the best.

[ZenWarrior]

Oops...

...there are some other things. There is an application out there that will [theoretically] retrieve your password. I cannot vouch for its effectiveness, but it's called "CMOS Password" or something.

...and, if you can get to your CMOS battery easily, simply removing it for a few minutes might also permit you entry. The loss of that trickle of juice will sometimes reset the BIOS password. (In fact, that was one of the recommendations a Toshiba rep offered--and I was just about to take the laptop apart before the actual solution mentioned above was implemented.)

Hmmm...one other maybe. Have you tried entering nothing at all? I can't recall from your posting whether or not you ever entered a password yourself. If you did not, the default is not infrequently nothing--just hit the enter key.

Again, good luck.

[.Gregory.]

I read somewhere online that removing the CMOS battery doesn't affect the password, that there's a safety measure. I tried a couple of backdoor passwords which didn't work. I'm currently trying the way you descried above. I'll let you know if anything changes.

[clive_pearce]

For cmos/bios tools. Hirens boot cd.

Tools http://www.hiren.info/pages/bootcd

Download http://maxt.dk/search/hirens+boot+cd+/