On 19/12/2008 13:44:35, Adam Bower wrote:
On Fri, Dec 19, 2008 at 11:57:32AM +0000, Ricky Bruce wrote:
The only way i have managed to fix this problem is by booting the disk via a Dell laptop, which then give the password prompt on boot and then assuming your sister knows the password, removing the password via the bios.
You can remove those passwords with hdparm too (although it's marked dangerous, experimental and all that) it is just ide security mode which I have disabled and enabled before when upgrading a hard disk in an old style xbox for more storage when running XBMC which was via a linux live cd specifically for the purpose.
There is obviously no limit here to what things a small single purpose linux distro can be used for. I remember well the linux floppy that can be used to reset the administrator password on windows - great when the one person who knew it left the company a few year previously.
Regarding IDE security mode, this sounds like one of the things recently promoted in the BCS IT now magazine. Personally I reckon if the data is really sensitive nothing short of strong encryption with the key not stored anywhere on the laptop is sufficient.
Regards, Steve.