Toshiba Satellite laptop asking for the BIOS password I never had

I had a slew of problems with my Toshiba Satellite P105-S9722. So I thought about putting in my recovery CD in it, when I did it locked me out at the BIOS screen requiring me to put in a password, when I never ever put one on to begin with. Now all it does is turn on at that screen, and I’m at my wits ends, can someone shoot me some info thanks in advance.

I believe one of the older BIOS versions had a bug when the laptop sets the BIOS password on its own. If you go to the Toshiba website and look at the BIOS change history for your model, you’ll see that this problem was fixed in the version 4.00
Here’s a quote from the BIOS change history:

Version 4.00 – 2007-08-06
* A workaround was implemented to prevent a password from automatically being set by the computer.

Apparently, you had an older BIOS installed and it set the password by itself.

Some latest Toshiba models suffer from the same bug in the BIOS. If your Toshiba laptop is asking for the BIOS password you never had, check the BIOS change history for your model and find out if there is a fix in the newer BIOS releases.

Unfortunately, before you can do anything with the laptop, the BIOS password has to be cleared. I would call Toshiba customer support and explain what’s going on. Most likely they will take care of your problem at no charge even though your laptop is not under warranty anymore. It’s not your fault.

Please let us know how Toshiba handles your situation, it will help other people with the same problem.

UPDATE: Here’s what I found for you. Toshiba acknowledges the problem. They will clear the BIOS password at no charge. Take a look at this support bulletin with a long list of Toshiba laptops having the same problem with the BIOS password.
Document ID: 98082361 Posted date: 09/27/07 Distribution: Public

13 Responses to “Toshiba Satellite laptop asking for the BIOS password I never had”

  1. 1
    Jose Cardenas Says:
    July 10th, 2008 at 11:38 am

    well I’ve called and they told me because it was out of warranty, they wont cover it.

  2. 2
    Laptop Freak Says:
    July 10th, 2008 at 2:30 pm

    Jose,
    Try again and talk to a different representative.

  3. 3
    Laptop Freak Says:
    July 10th, 2008 at 2:45 pm

    Jose,
    I was right, Toshiba will fix this issue at no charge.
    Take a look at this support bulletin. It says:

    ISSUE

    The computer models listed above may display a “Password =” prompt when the computer is turned on, even though no power-on password has been set. If this happens, there is no password that will satisfy the password request. If the computer is turned off and back on again, it is very likely that the same password prompt will appear. The computer will be unusable until this problem is fixed.
    RESOLUTION

    If this problem has not yet occurred on your computer, then find the computer model in the table below, and click the link for its BIOS to download and install it. These newer BIOSes display a power-on password prompt only when a power-on password has actually been set via the BIOS Setup program.

    If the problem has already occurred on your computer, then please make arrangements with a Toshiba Authorized Service Provider to have this problem fixed at no charge.

    There is a long list of many current Toshiba models with the same BIOS password issue. The following series are listed in the support bulletin: Satellite A100, A105, A130, A135, A200, A205, L35, M200, M205, P100, P105, P200, P205.

    Now you can call Toshiba customer support and point to their own support bulletin.

  4. 4
    ray Says:
    July 30th, 2008 at 7:23 pm

    there is a solution to this a very simple short out two connections most of the boards are the same, i have done this on M50 sattelite no probs dont even take the computer apart or plug in a loop back connector at the com port
    HERE IS THE ARTICLE..
    http://www.laptop-repair.info/toshiba_bios_password.html
    hope this helps all you people

  5. 5
    Bob Says:
    February 20th, 2009 at 8:09 pm

    My laptop locked up and has the BIOS password glitch.
    I called Toshiba cust, support and got an order number by which I send it back to Toshiba through UPS (no charge) and should have it back in 5-7 days. Process took about 10 minutes. Very happy with the customer service so far.

  6. 6
    Tim Says:
    July 14th, 2009 at 4:17 am

    I have a Toshiba A105-S1013 and I cannot access the setup menu. I have a 512mb stick and a 1gb stick for RAM and it is only recognizing 960mbs. As I cannot access the setup screen without a password, I can’t fix, or even attempt to fix this problem. I bought this unit on Craigslist for too much money and have had no luck in getting hold of the previous owner. I have tried the remedies for the BIOS password deletes and have tried all the back door passes. No luck on any of these. I have updated the BIOS through the flash BIOS at Toshiba and it says it is installed, but not even sure of that. This unit uses Phoenix BIOS, but I can’t access to find out what version. PLEASE HELP!! I really don’t want this to be a brick for me.

  7. 7
    Luis Labrador Says:
    September 13th, 2009 at 5:02 pm

    I have a Dell Inspiron 1150 and I am trying to repair it but as soon as I start the computer it ask for a password. It don’t even go to the desktop. It must be a BIOS password. How can I over ride it?

  8. 8
    himanshu Says:
    October 26th, 2009 at 7:57 pm

    i have DELL INSPIRON 1545…..
    my problem is sutdown problem…
    means lapy sutdown is very slow.

    plz tell me solution about this problem….

  9. 9
    Laptop Freak Says:
    October 27th, 2009 at 3:54 pm

    himanshu,

    my problem is sutdown problem… means lapy sutdown is very slow.

    Do you have enough memory installed? Is the start up process also very slow or it’s normal?

  10. 10
    Ken Says:
    August 18th, 2010 at 7:48 am

    I have this same BIOS prompt problem and will call Toshiba but the links to the support bulletin posted here no longer work. They just point to the Toshiba Support page. I would really like to have the actual support bulletin to refer them to in case they give me any trouble. I Googled like crazy but couldn’t find it. Does anybody still have it?

  11. 11
    claus gehrig Says:
    August 30th, 2010 at 4:12 am

    Problem with power on password

    I changed the password and chut down the laptop. Afterward the Tecra S1 do nomore boot, as either the old nor the new password is accepted. Repair Center told me, it costs 300$ which is quite expensive. Is there no other possibility?

  12. 12
    Pepe Says:
    September 20th, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    I’ve tried to look for answer but so far nothing.

    I have a Satellite P305 series and my bios was locked by accident by my little nephew. I tried to unlock the machine with some password but after 3 attempts it shutdowns by itself.

    I tried Toshiba but they want me to charge around $300.00 which is too expensive.

    I would like to know if someone knows to unlock the bios in this model P305

    Cheers

  13. 13
    Cody Says:
    December 5th, 2010 at 5:52 pm

    I have a A215 that had this problem back in late ’08. I bought the computer new and had had it for about a year. One day I try to turn it on and it just asks for a password. I ask people what the deal is and they tell me they wont help me steal a laptop! I got fed up with this and ended up buying a new gateway. Now over two years later, while searching for help with my sister’s gateway, I find out that many other people have had the same problem and a solution was offered by Toshiba. When I try the link it just goes to the normal support page where I cannot find anything on the subject. Anyone have any advice?

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