ADVENT 7113 BIOS issue. 1

[aich69]

I was updating (Windows updates)an ADVENT 7113 (Vista Home Premium) laptop when after a reboot it asked me for the BIOS password. There has never been a BIOS password set. Googled this problem and it seems to be common but with no final resolve.

So far I have: removed CMOS battery, tried so called BIOS backdoor passwords and followed advice on 'clearing' the EEPROM chip but all to no avail... I still can't get passed the request for password.

Laptop won't boot from CD/HDD or Floppy so I can't even attempt advice on using debug to clear/reset password. It seems that sending back to manufacturer to have reset done is the only way forward.

If anyone has any idea how to get past this BIOS password I really would love them forever... well I'd be seriously grateful if nothing else.

(if this post belongs elsewhere please let me know but there didn't appear to be a more suitable forum)

I used to have a handle on life... but it broke. Cpt. Red Bull

 

[linney]

You could try one of the hardware forums too.

http://www.tek-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=602

Perhaps what you are seeing is more a symptom of other hardware trouble rather than any Password problem?

These updates that you were doing were they run of the mill Windows Updates, or were you doing a repair install followed by updates etc? In other words how was the machine performing prior to this unfortunate episode?

 

[BadBigBen]

have you contacted the Manufacturer of the laptop, to see if they have a solution...

You mention that you removed the BIOS battery to reset the BIOS, did you do it per this article?

http://www.adventsupport.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4907&start=0

did you disconnect the main battery and any other power source as well?

I suggest you retry, remove all batteries and power sources, remove the battery then hold the power button for a few minutes (this should drain the capacitors that may still hold enough juice to power the CMOS, very unlikely but possible)...

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[aich69]

thanks guys... to answer both...

machine was performing absolutely fine prior to updates. I had installed SP1 and was in the process of installing SP2 for Vista, it was after an obligatory reboot and while updates were being configured that machine rebooted again and then wouldn't boot at all, just prompting for a password, as I can't get to setup (F2) or boot options (F12)without being prompted for the password I'm assuming that this is a BIOS password I'm being prompted for, no passwords HDD or BIOS have been set previously.
As for my CMOS battery remove method, I saw that article but being relatively competent (I use the term loseley) I did indeed go down the root of removing all sources of power- CMOS, battery and AC adapter, holding down the power key in attempt to drain the capacitors as well but still it requests this password. I also left the CMOS battery out over night.
I have tried PC World who sell this brand (I believe it is their brand) but they had no idea. As for tracking down ADVENT themselves, no luck there either, it appears they could be re-branded generic machines.


I used to have a handle on life... but it broke. Cpt. Red Bull

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
You probably saw this site, but just in case:

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081006021932AANZBfZ

It seems that there may be an EEPROM holding the bios password and removing the battery will not clear it.





To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."

 

[aich69]

I did see that one but thanks for pointing it out as I might not have done... as it goes I think I may have seen pretty much all the instances of this problem... and you are right, as I put initially, there is an EEPROM chip which I understand is not going to be affected by battery removal.
I can confirm that the BIOS has been cleared by my actions in my last post but... the password is still requested so that would point to it being stored somewhere that is not affected by power loss.
I'm sure if there was a 'backdoor' password for this problem someone would have put it out there by now.

I live in hope

I used to have a handle on life... but it broke. Cpt. Red Bull

 

[linney]

The 7113 is basically a rebadged Uniwill L51II3 (you should see this printed on the underside of the laptop) so you can also get the drivers and user manual from Uniwill's website"

Advent 7113 Laptop

http://www.uktsupport.co.uk/advent/laptop/7113.htm

 

[aich69]

Thanks linney I have bookmarked that site for future use should I get past this problem and need to rebuild.

I used to have a handle on life... but it broke. Cpt. Red Bull

 

[BadBigBen]

Since it is a rebadged Uniwill lappy, try contacting ECS instead...

Uniwill is now ECS

http://www.uniwill.com

take a look at:

http://www.jumperz.de/english/bios-password.htm

If I read right, then it is an AMI BIOS, with 6 characters max for the password... but it can't hurt to try the AWARD ones too...


Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[aich69]

Thanks for that site Ben... the BIOS is actually a Phoeninx BIOS v1.09 though and doesn't respond to any of the backdoor passwords, Phoenix or otherwise.

I did manage to locate a jumper on the board 'J2'. Shorting this out does clear the cmos etc but doesn't get rid of the password request. This really is looking like I'm going to have to either locate a replacement board or locate the chip and send it off for flashing like your site offers.

I have tried to boot from floppy and bootable cd and although it accesses both it doesn't boot before popping the password request.

Pulling my virtual hair out

I used to have a handle on life... but it broke. Cpt. Red Bull