[noodly]

This password locking is worthless - most (if not all) BIOSes have backdoor password that allows anyone to bypass password lock.

Here's one of the pages that lists some of them: http://www.uktsupport.co.uk/reference/biosp.htm

[Mandatum]

Some devices make this very difficult. Well, not very difficult - just more time consuming. I was trying to unlock a BIOS password on a Toshiba Satellite maybe 3 years ago, none of the default or "backdoor" passwords would work. However, you were able to reset it by using a jumper to complete a specific part of the circuit.. Not for the faint hearted, however if a thief steals the laptop, they'll have no problem opening it up in their own time.

I'm glad they've made this harder, as most thieves are deterred by the technical aspects of breaking in to wipe a computer.

[psykovsky]

Don't even get me started on the passwords to unlock HDD's, the ones you set on the BIOS... One day I will write how I unlocked the Toshiba(TSSTCorp) HDD I had forgotten the password for on my laptop. I had to buy a new HDD, because I didn't have a spare one at the time, but I did it in less than 5 minutes, unscrewing and screwing the laptop covers and HDD's included. They weren't even the same brand. I bought a Samsung to unlock the Hitachi.

[jethro_tell]

Also you could probably reset the bios in a couple minutes.