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This system seems to have a hybrid BIOS / UEFI setup.
Before doing anything, I reset the NVRAM of the machine using the Clear NVRAM jumper on the motherboard..
I can get into the BIOS, and I have set a BIOS password.
When I try to enter the UEFI boot manager, it asks for my 'Setup Password'.
But the password I set for the BIOS doesn't work, and neither does a blank password. Any ideas?
Daniel
Posted 2015-06-27T00:52:15.637
Reputation: 219
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Figured it out:
First, I thought maybe my use of symbols (non-alphanumeric characters) was screwing up the password somehow. I removed these from the BIOS password but I still wasn't getting into the UEFI successfully.
Decided to re-read the user manual again (which does not mention UEFI setup password specifically, only "Setup Password"), but more carefully this time.
Ran across this line:
You can use up to 32 characters in your password.
As you type, placeholders appear in the field.
The password assignment is not case-sensitive. To erase a character, pressBackspaceor the left-arrow key.
[Italics Mine]
Well this got me thinking. I configured a multi-case password like aBcD1234 in the BIOS, and I was attempting to enter the exact password to enter the UEFI, but it was being rejected.
Here's what was happening: because the BIOS was case-insensitive, it was recording my original password of aBcD1234 as the all-lowercase abcd1234 and passing that on to the access control of the UEFI boot manager. Apparently the UEFI boot manager password prompt is case-sensitive and so it was not accepting my entry of aBcD1234. When I tried abcd1234, I was able to enter the UEFI boot manager.
Daniel
Posted 2015-06-27T00:52:15.637
Reputation: 219
Be sure to report that problem to the manufacturer, since it's a serious firmware bug! – Rod Smith – 2015-06-28T17:07:44.463
Considering the R610 is at least 5-years old, I doubt they would care. – Daniel – 2015-06-28T20:33:46.107
Bugs like that can lurk undetected for years, so it's still worth reporting. – Rod Smith – 2015-06-29T13:09:36.050
There can often be two passwords in relation to a BIOS, almost like a user and an administrator. I suggest you remove all passwords from the BIOS and then try to access the boot menu, let me know how you get on. – Craig Lowe – 2015-06-27T01:00:39.560
This particular machine only has a Setup Password (for config) and a System Password (for boot) – Daniel – 2015-06-27T01:25:33.207
Can you not remove all passwords via the BIOS? – Craig Lowe – 2015-06-27T01:30:36.650
If you enter the wrong password 3 times does it display a random number? if so, check this blog out >> http://dogber1.blogspot.com/2009/05/table-of-reverse-engineered-bios.html << Otherwise manufactures sometimes include backdoor passwords, search for that.
– BiTinerary – 2015-06-27T01:46:05.430Entering the wrong password 3 times simply halts the system and requires a reboot. – Daniel – 2015-06-27T02:32:46.337
Figured it out. – Daniel – 2015-06-27T03:27:40.557