An explanation of what's going on with the laptop.

Page 2
Introduction

last updated: <8/22/2003>

This is the prepatory section where I explain some things about the chip, CMOS, asset and service tags, and passwords; so that you will have a good grasp of the big picture.
Hopefully it will also clear up any thing you have gotten a vague idea about on another website.

All computers have special chips inside them that store information about the computer.

Some of them are manufactured with permanent information that can not be changed (and, as a rule, all have exactly the same information on them; thus not for passwords.) These contain information about the computer model or are part of its functional circuitry.

Another type of chip (the kind we are interested in) is manufactured with a blank information area that can be programmed or filled with information. These chips are commonly used to store settings and passwords; and come in 2 basic sorts: VOLATILE and NON-VOLATILE.

VOLATILE chips use a source of electricity to help them keep their information, such as a battery. They are less expensive and are used to store computer settings, and also passwords on most computers. If one of these chips has a password on it, the battery can be removed and after a time (between 2 seconds to 30 minutes, depending on the chip) the password will be erased.

NON-VOLATILE chips do not need electricity to keep their information, but are more expensive. If there is a password on one of these chips, it can be removed from power for years and still have the password on it. (However this does not mean that it is permanent.) Remember that the information on Non-Volatile chips can be filled with information. This information can also be changed or erased.

If you have read this far you probably own a Dell or similar laptop with a password that is obviously stored in a Non-Volatile chip, or are an employee of a company that makes one. These laptops have most of their setting information stored in Volatile (inexpensive) chips, and their passwords are stored on a tiny Non-Volatile (more expensive) chip.

The chip that Dell uses is called a 24C02 chip.
This is the Chip Type number used to refer to the chip's design in the electronics industry.

The 24C02 is a small, rather common surface mount^* dip^* chip with 8 leads (or legs), which costs about $5. It measures 4.5 mm long x 3.5 mm wide x 2 mm tall, and stores 256 Bytes (or one quarter of a Kilobyte) of information. It is commonly used in modems, DIMM Memory, and other electronic devices; and in a different shape it is used in many wallet sized "smart cards." * SURFACE MOUNT means that the chip is soldered onto the surface of the printed circuit, instead of having pins sticking through the board. This is the most difficult type of circuitry to solder by hand.
* DIP means 'Dual Inline Package'. This means that the chip has 2 rows of leads (or legs) in straight lines running down its sides.

That's the chip we will be dealing with, if you would like to know more about the chip, click here, or read the "Some unnecessary information about the chip." section later on.

The laptop that was used in this demonstration is a Model 630 type PPX. Other laptops may be different from the one shown in the full breakdown demonstration photos. The following links provide in depth information on specific models:

Removing and Replacing Parts: Dell™ Latitude™ CP and CPi
Removing and Replacing Parts: Dell™ Latitude™ C600/C500 Series Service Manual
Removing and Replacing Parts: Dell™ Latitude™ C800/C805 Service Manual
Removing and Replacing Parts: Dell™ Latitude™ C810 Service Manual

If a certain laptop does not correspond to any of these diagrams, more information might be found on the web, or, anyone not reading for informational purposes only - could decide to simply "Wing it."

Also, the chip containing the password may be in a different location on some motherboards, but it should be able to be found by reading the numbers on the top of the chip, although a magnifying glass might be necessary.

--- UPDATE --- I have information about other models of Dell laptops now.
Thanks to people's e-mail information, I can now tell you more about other models of laptops. Here is a list of different models showing what I know about them and don't as pertains to the chip and this procedure.
Model / Series Type	Number	Chip	Clears	Comments
Latitude	XP	?	?
Latitude	CP	Yes	?
Latitude	CPi	Yes	Yes
Latitude	CPiA	Yes	Yes	The Chip is on the top side of motherboard, under MMC2 processor module.
Latitude	CPx	Yes	Yes
Latitude	CPxJ	Yes	Yes	The Chip is on the top side of motherboard, under MMC2 processor module.
Latitude	CS	?	?
Latitude	c400	Yes	Yes
Latitude	c500	Yes	Yes	The Chip is on the bottom side of motherboard, under the PCMCIA card slots.
Latitude	c600	Yes	Yes	The Chip is on the bottom side of motherboard, under the PCMCIA card slots.
Latitude	c610	Yes	Yes
Latitude	c640	?	No
Latitude	c800	Yes	Yes
Inspiron	2650	?	?
Inspiron	3800	Yes	Yes	The Chip is on the top side of motherboard, under MMC2 processor module.
Inspiron	4000	Yes	Yes	The Chip is on the bottom side of motherboard, under the PCMCIA card slots.
Inspiron	7000	24C164	No	This is a different chip and probably a different type of password circuit.
Inspiron	8000	Yes	No	The chip is under the CD-ROM
Inspiron	8100	Yes	No
Inspiron	8200	?	?
Omnibook	6000	?	?
This is all I know at the moment. I will be updating this list when I get new information. If you have any more information about these or other models of laptops; or, if you have corrections to this information: please e-mail me at Qasimtoep@yahoo.com

Now we are informed and ready to begin. Anyone attempting this procedure should have the implements shown in this picture, along with any others they may deem needful or useful.

They may also wish to write down the Service Tag number for later use, as it will be erased.

Laptop - Screwdriver - Paperclip

And remember, when using a screwdriver, it's "righty - tightey, lefty - loosey."

* NOTE:
There are a few things that should be addressed before you continue... I will list them quickly here.
Some of these laptops may have an additional password called a "Hard Drive Password." This may not even become evident until the other passwords have been cleared. This password is stored on the hard drive, it does not mean that the laptop can not be used; it just means that the hard drive can not be accessed. If you are not able to find out what the Hard Drive Password is, you can simply replace it with another Hard Drive, and then reinstall windows. (I'm assuming you choose windows; linux, solaris, or DOS are fine too.) Also: I do not know how to bypass, circumvent, or clear the hard drive password. If I find out sometime later I will post it to this site.
I will be updating this site sometime, and hopefully changing the format sometime soon. I will still keep all the information that is here, I just want to improve the site and add some more things to it, I also plan to add a F.A.Q. about the laptop password process. I will also try to do something about getting rid of those popup windows.
This site has been down recently due to high bandwidth. High Bandwidth is when the server sends a certain amount of data (pages / pictures) from a site to people who are looking at the site. Checking my statistics from Tripod, the site that hosts my website (In Case You Haven't Noticed) I find that I got about 100 - 200 hits every day, and about 12,000 hits per month. (A hit is when someone looks at one of your pages.) I have trimmed down some of the picture file sizes, and cut out some of the personal parts of my site to make more room for people to find out how to fix their laptops. Tripod has been hosting my website for free since 1994, about ten years now. But they only allow 1 Gb of bandwidth per month. This is enough to let only about 20 people visit my site per day. I do not know what I am going to be able to do about this, but I will see if I can make more people able to see this site.
If you have any information that I need or that may help people with laptops or passwords, please e-mail me at Qasimtoep@yahoo.com Thank you :)

First Page DIY for free.

Step One Taking it apart.

Step Two Taking it apart, continued.

Step Three Reorienting things just a tad.

Culmination Actually doing the deed.

Afterwards So, now you want your own password.

Extraneous Some unnecessary information about the chip.

Disclaimer

This information is provided as an "At Your Own Risk" procedure. I can not absolutely assure that it is safe for any or all equipment, with any make of materials, or under any or all environmental or working conditions. If you perform this procedure on a product belonging to you or another person, you do so at your own risk and liability. Also you are responsible for taking any safety precautions that may be necessary to protect yourself and the equipment you may be working on, or which may subsequently be affected by this procedure. You are also responsible for any breach of law or contract which would occur by your decision to undertake this procedure.

This information and procedure are not sponsored, endorsed, authorized, or condoned by; and are probably criticized or condemned by any and all of the following: Dell; any of their affiliates; any other manufacturer of laptops, electronic devices or equipment, screwdrivers, or paperclips.

Also; I can not be held liable for any ill effects brought about from natural responses of humor resulting from reading of this site, or its content, regardless of the form of humorous reaction. This shall include but not be limited to: laughing, chuckling, giggling, or snorteling.

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