Need help with Dell N5010.

buddy92 · 13-11-2012, 05:11 PM

Hey guys.

Seen a Dell N5010 in perfect condition at the local pawn shop for $80, reason it was so cheap is that it was locked with a password.

I managed to get around this by removing the HDD and FORCING it to boot via the CD which is all worked.

Now I can use the Laptop as it is now, although Wireless is disabled in the BIOS, when I go to turn it on it's telling me to enter a password into the Security section, which I don't know meaning I can't use Wireless or Bluetooth.

Any help please? I applied the new Update to the BIOS ( A15 ) which got rid of the main password but still got a security one in there.

ps: Pawn shop reckon it wasn't stolen, not sure why they would have it though?

FGII-XR6 · 13-11-2012, 05:25 PM

is the security one you refer to a HDD password? if so you replace the HDD and problem solved
there is an application you can buy to unlock the HDD it destroys all data and you have to pay for each unlock it's just called HDDunlock

buddy92 · 13-11-2012, 05:27 PM

I'm not sure. I go into the BIOS, go into Security and when I press on WIRELESS to press Enable, It says I must go to Security and enter the password to "Unlock" the setup.

FGII-XR6 · 13-11-2012, 05:42 PM

try contacting dell on some models they can generate a master password from your service tag once you prove ownership

buddy92 · 13-11-2012, 05:44 PM

I bought it from the pawn shop, so how can I prove I own it?

And it's a "Unlock setup status" password.

FGII-XR6 · 13-11-2012, 06:13 PM

receipt from pawnshop should be enough to satisfy them

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddy92

I bought it from the pawn shop, so how can I prove I own it?

And it's a "Unlock setup status" password.

buddy92 · 13-11-2012, 06:16 PM

Oh really? I thought it would of had to of been a full on Dell receipt or something like that?

I can give them a call and see anyways.

FGII-XR6 · 13-11-2012, 06:19 PM

no they just need to confirm you are the current lawful owner

buddy92 · 13-11-2012, 06:23 PM

Oh cool. Will give them a call see what I can do.

Thanks for you're help mate.

Joshmcmillan · 13-11-2012, 08:06 PM

If all else fails,

Remove the C-MOS battery from the motherboard (It's the battery that stores the bios information when the main battery is out, and the time etc..)... leave it out for an hour or two, then turn the laptop on WITHOUT the battery in it and it should reset the bios. Then you can reinstall the battery and away you go.

Battery shouldn't be too hard to get to, remove main battery, hard disc, ram, take back cover off... depends on the specific laptop.

FGII-XR6 · 13-11-2012, 08:20 PM

this will not work on late model notebooks they use a EEPROM tostore the data the battery only maintains the RTC. also the battery on this machine needs the motherboard to be removed to get to the battery

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshmcmillan

If all else fails,

Remove the C-MOS battery from the motherboard (It's the battery that stores the bios information when the main battery is out, and the time etc..)... leave it out for an hour or two, then turn the laptop on WITHOUT the battery in it and it should reset the bios. Then you can reinstall the battery and away you go.

Battery shouldn't be too hard to get to, remove main battery, hard disc, ram, take back cover off... depends on the specific laptop.

Joshmcmillan · 13-11-2012, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

this will not work on late model notebooks they use a EEPROM tostore the data the battery only maintains the RTC. also the battery on this machine needs the motherboard to be removed to get to the battery

I stand corrected. Interesting. Thanks

buddy92 · 15-11-2012, 10:40 PM

I removed the C-MOS battery, didn't work. I only pulled it out for around 10 minutes though. Should I try longer, or it just won't work period?

Called Dell. They want a FAX of the receipt, gotta go fax it off tomorrow and give them a call back.

FGII-XR6 · 15-11-2012, 10:58 PM

removing battery will not work on newer notebooks (the last 2 to 3 years) as they use a EEPROM ( non volatile) to store the second level password. the battery only keeps the RTC working.
from the service manual I have for the N5010 you need to remove the motherboard to get to the battery maybe there were 2 versions though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddy92

I removed the C-MOS battery, didn't work. I only pulled it out for around 10 minutes though. Should I try longer, or it just won't work period?

Called Dell. They want a FAX of the receipt, gotta go fax it off tomorrow and give them a call back.

Joshmcmillan · 15-11-2012, 11:04 PM

Yeah I was unaware of what au3xr6 is saying buddy.. Is the Dell within a few years old?

If it's older, then 10 minutes wouldn't be enough... leave it an hour, and you have to turn the computer on WITHOUT the battery in it after that and see if the password has cleared.

buddy92 · 16-11-2012, 11:17 PM

Don't know how old it is. Is there anyway of me telling?

EDIT: Went onto the Dell website and entered the Service Tag, the shipping date is 19/02/2011

So maybe the CMOS battery might just work if I leave it out long enough.

FGII-XR6 · 17-11-2012, 12:14 AM

I doubt it it's less than 2 years old and dell have been using the better security for much longer than that . to the best of my knowledge all dell core i notebooks use EEPROMs

buddy92 · 17-11-2012, 12:28 AM

So I'm screwed basically? Sucks :'(

Can't complain for $80 I suppose

Serial_Fool · 17-11-2012, 01:42 AM

What I'd do is get one of those USB wifi thumbsticks and use that for the internet rather than the inbuilt one.

FGII-XR6 · 17-11-2012, 09:10 AM

aren't dell going to help you?

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddy92

So I'm screwed basically? Sucks :'(

Can't complain for $80 I suppose

homersdaman · 17-11-2012, 09:56 AM

enter any password 3 times it will give you an error code saying something like " system disabled [01234] " .
now goto http://bios-pw.org.ua/ and enter the number displayed
the output should be your password you enter into bios

or if that didnt help you

Burn this http://pcemporium.webs.com/Dell%20Bios%20Reset.iso to usb or cd/dvd - you must burn it as a bootable cd/usb , once booted follow on screen options

buddy92 · 17-11-2012, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

aren't dell going to help you?

Nope they won't. Keep going back to the "Stolen" thing. Went back to the shop told them what the go was. They offered me a refund but I said no as it's to cheap. They don't know who the original person was who took it there so can't get hold of them either.

Will try other suggestions thanks for the help everyone.

buddy92 · 17-11-2012, 12:44 PM

Won't let me boot to CD so guess I have to remove the HDD to force it to boot to CD. When I press CD/USB on the boot option it just keeps booting from HDD

Yellow_Festiva · 17-11-2012, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddy92

Nope they won't. Keep going back to the "Stolen" thing. Went back to the shop told them what the go was. They offered me a refund but I said no as it's to cheap. They don't know who the original person was who took it there so can't get hold of them either.

Will try other suggestions thanks for the help everyone.

That isn't true. I'm sure you must show ID when selling something to a pawn shop. Don't police audit these types of shops on a regular basis to stem the onsale of stolen goods? I doub't they will be telling the cops that they have a laptop sitting for sale with no idea of how it got on the shelf. They know exactly who has sold it to them, perhps they should be saying they choose not to disclose the original owners identity either lawfully or otherwise.

They have sold you a used product with no real warranty for a very cheap price. I guess that is about where the relationship ends in terms of service.

If you have offered proof that you have bought it from a legitimate business they cannot really accuse you of stealing it either.

karj · 17-11-2012, 06:52 PM

You could give this a crack...
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/thr...-Software-Here

buddy92 · 17-11-2012, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karj

You could give this a crack...
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/thr...-Software-Here

That's what is linked in the other post. I downloaded it, right clicked then went burn image to disc, went to boot from it but it keeps going to normal HDD boot to windows, won't boot from the CD. I guess I have to remove the HDD to force it to use the CD like I did when installing Windows.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

That isn't true. I'm sure you must show ID when selling something to a pawn shop. Don't police audit these types of shops on a regular basis to stem the onsale of stolen goods? I doub't they will be telling the cops that they have a laptop sitting for sale with no idea of how it got on the shelf. They know exactly who has sold it to them, perhps they should be saying they choose not to disclose the original owners identity either lawfully or otherwise.

They have sold you a used product with no real warranty for a very cheap price. I guess that is about where the relationship ends in terms of service.

If you have offered proof that you have bought it from a legitimate business they cannot really accuse you of stealing it either.

I have the receipt the shop provided me but they won't accept it.

flappist · 18-11-2012, 02:21 PM

The only reason Dell would say it was stolen is because it has been listed as stolen by them. This may also have happened if your contact with them has indicated same.

It does not matter that you have a receipt if the Police come looking for it as they will take it and then have to get your $80 back from the pawn shop who may not give it to you as the money is a civil not criminal matter.

The pawn shop has your name and address and if the Police turn up there after any paperwork from other states or where ever filter through they will cone straight around to you.

Worse still if the laptop is investigated for any other reason and Dell have it listed as stolen and you have lost your receipt you will be in a world of VERY expensive hurt with legal fees trying to prevent you having a criminal record.

If the pawn shop has offered your money back maybe you should take it as all you have now is a black listed laptop that may actually be stolen and has probably uncorrectable limited functionality that is worth far less than $80.

You could of course go to your local Police station and make a report that you think you may have bought a stolen laptop which will trigger an investigation that will either give you proof it is not stolen to send to Dell or show that it is stolen and you will lose it. Make sure you take your receipt though as otherwise you might end up on a charge.

SpoolMan · 18-11-2012, 02:37 PM

Pawn shop would have the last known owners contact details, why couldn't they contact last owner and at least ask for the password required.

karj · 18-11-2012, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

The only reason Dell would say it was stolen is because it has been listed as stolen by them. This may also have happened if your contact with them has indicated same.

It does not matter that you have a receipt if the Police come looking for it as they will take it and then have to get your $80 back from the pawn shop who may not give it to you as the money is a civil not criminal matter.

The pawn shop has your name and address and if the Police turn up there after any paperwork from other states or where ever filter through they will cone straight around to you.

Worse still if the laptop is investigated for any other reason and Dell have it listed as stolen and you have lost your receipt you will be in a world of VERY expensive hurt with legal fees trying to prevent you having a criminal record.

If the pawn shop has offered your money back maybe you should take it as all you have now is a black listed laptop that may actually be stolen and has probably uncorrectable limited functionality that is worth far less than $80.

You could of course go to your local Police station and make a report that you think you may have bought a stolen laptop which will trigger an investigation that will either give you proof it is not stolen to send to Dell or show that it is stolen and you will lose it. Make sure you take your receipt though as otherwise you might end up on a charge.

I don't think Dell has said it was stolen, just that it could have been and that is why they are refusing to help. Dell do not provide support for 2nd hand stuff... unless the ownership is in your name. The ownership can be transferred into your name if you know the original owner and they consent. As someone else noted, the pawn shop must have a record of the person who sold it to them (why they would say otherwise sounds pretty dodgy).

On a tangent about things that appear stolen but aren't... My brother purchased a phone off eBay a few years back, and although I suggested he not because of the risk of it being stolen, he decided to anyway because it came in the original box with all the original accessories, thus not as likely to be stolen. Anyway, he recieved it and used it for a few days before it stopped allowing him to make phone calls. He looked up the IMEI on the internet and it turns out it had been blocked... apparently for about a year. He made some phone calls and was told the block would only be on it because it was reported as stolen. He then contacted the seller on eBay who was confused as all hell because he was the original owner, and then he (as the original owner) had to make some phone calls and provide proof of his ownership to get it unblocked. The phone company wouldn't do anything to help my brother, except maintain that it would ONLY be blocked if it was stolen.

flappist · 18-11-2012, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karj

I don't think Dell has said it was stolen, just that it could have been and that is why they are refusing to help. Dell do not provide support for 2nd hand stuff... unless the ownership is in your name. The ownership can be transferred into your name if you know the original owner and they consent. As someone else noted, the pawn shop must have a record of the person who sold it to them (why they would say otherwise sounds pretty dodgy).

On a tangent about things that appear stolen but aren't... My brother purchased a phone off eBay a few years back, and although I suggested he not because of the risk of it being stolen, he decided to anyway because it came in the original box with all the original accessories, thus not as likely to be stolen. Anyway, he recieved it and used it for a few days before it stopped allowing him to make phone calls. He looked up the IMEI on the internet and it turns out it had been blocked... apparently for about a year. He made some phone calls and was told the block would only be on it because it was reported as stolen. He then contacted the seller on eBay who was confused as all hell because he was the original owner, and then he (as the original owner) had to make some phone calls and provide proof of his ownership to get it unblocked. The phone company wouldn't do anything to help my brother, except maintain that it would ONLY be blocked if it was stolen.

Really?

Strange that one of my companies deals with second hand a lot of mostly ex government and corporate Dell equipment on a an almost daily basis and cannot remember the last time I had any problems with their tech support.