Accepted Answer from AlfaLAN Date: 11/07/2004 06:03PM PST Grade: A Accepted Answer This is called a ATA-password. Also known as a HDD Password, HDP, Security lock, HDD Security feature. It is a standard included in the ATA Specification. (read the ata-spec) If a drive is locked it (to be precise the controller on the harddrive pcb) will reject all read/write operations and some other operations (NOT ALL!!!). Thus it is impossible to use any software-tools only to read/whipe the password. Swapping the harddrive pcb with another identical one from a unlocked drive will NOT clear or bypass the lock since the password(s) are stored in the "system maintenance cylinder" (at cylinder address 16,384). On this cilinder are other important data stored like: track-layout information, calibration information, identification, serial and so forth. The lock exists of 2 securitylevels: high and max. There are two passwords possible: User and Master. If the securitylevel is set to MAX only a userpassword can unlock the drive. If the securitylevel is set to high a user AND a master password can unlock the drive. The password can consist of 32 bits max by the way. It IS possible to unlock the drive using extra hardware. This hardware can READ OUT the password in cleartext (as i understand). Visit »www.vogon-forensic-hardware.co.uk/pass.. for proof. They are in fact NOT the only ones who have this kind of hardware. Untill now I still have'nt figuerd out how to do this (AND I'm willing to PAY for this info, contact me!!!). There are however other way's: 1 Brute force the lock (if anyone has experience in direct access & int13h commands programming, please contact me) 2 hack firmware (the only security leak in my opinion) 3 in case of laptop: read out the password from the chip of the laptopmotherboard. But you can only do this if the laptop is also still passwordprotected. Some *not to bright* people steal laptops and clear the passwordchip so the laptop boots, then to find out the harddrive is still passwordprotected (since poweron protecting your laptop often automatically locks your harddrive to, but as a user you do not notice this). 4 find someone in your region who can (there are people who can!!! Usually via option 2 so don't forget to mention your hdd-type) 5 buy the required hardware yourself: very expensive. Vogon charges 30.000 pound... And the new russian 3000 system is not yet translated and thus for sale (expected price around 10.000 USD). So in your case this is a dead end; it is REALLY much more cheaper to simply buy another harddrive: you can use your new laptop fast and it saves you the headache A professional company charges way over the price of a new one; finding someone reliable who can actually unlock your type of harddisk nearly impossible (and what will they charge?; the one I know charges from 25 euro upwards). I know how to perform option 1 & 2 but lack the expertise=time to program it. Last note: some people hope that the security erase function will unlock the drive. This is a irrational hope becouse this is a function to securily (and fast!!!) whipe the drive in 3 passes; that means whipe the userdata becouse if the maintenance cylinder is whiped then the trackinfo is whiped and thus the drive unusable... This aside from the fact that the drive must be unlocked before it will accept the command. Can anyone please prove me wrong and help with another solution? Good luck with your new & ultra high tech paperweight !!!