Power-on Password

[Frank Gallant]

An operating system or two ago, it was possible to set-up
a computer such that when it was powered-on and prior to
loading Windows, the system asked for a password. This
password was not maintanined in any system
administrators's files. It was absolutely personal and
set a very high level of security for individual users.
For example, if I didn't want anyone (even God)logging
onto my machine, it wasn't going to happen without my
password being keyed. Is this feature still available?
If so, how do I access it? Thanks.

Frank

 

[Miha Pihler]

Hi Frank,



You probably have in mind BIOS password. You can turn this on in your BIOS.
Settings vary according to BIOS manufacturer. My advice is to consult your
BIOS manual and look for "password" keyword in Index.



BUT, even if you turn on your BIOS password, I don't know any BIOS so far
that couldn't be bypassed. All of the BIOSes that I have worked with in last
10 or so years had some sort of default password that would allow me to
bypass and password that you set up. (Look on Google for e.g. "Default BIOS
password"). Also it is possible to e.g. take HDD out and put it into another
PC and get access to your files (unless they are encrypted).



Hopet his helps you out.



Mike

 

[Frank Gallant]

Mike,
Thank you for the thorough reply. You've given me
good information. I can make it work. I'm not worried
about (At least, I don't think I am) sophisticated users
bypassing the password or hijacking the HDD. Thanks
again.

Frank

 

[Frank Gallant]

Steve,
Thanks for the reply. I'll be working on it.

Frank

-----Original Message-----
Two possibilities. A cmos [motherboard

configuration] boot password that will

not let ANY operating system to load until it is entered or a syskey password that
protects just a particular Windows installation with

either a password or floppy disk