Re: home computer password

From: Borked Pseudo Mailed (nobody_at_pseudo.borked.net)
Date: 11/29/05 

Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2005 21:54:19 -0700 (MST)

Jim Watt wrote:

> On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 23:35:33 GMT, "Martin Spencer-Ford"
> <tpwuk.dash.zero.one@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>
>
>>"Borked Pseudo Mailed" <nobody@pseudo.borked.net> wrote in message
>>news:84709e0ddbe47148fc2ebceb10a98305@pseudo.borked.net...
>>> thunderbird wrote:
>>>
>>>> Just don't loose the password, a good tech can re-set it but it may
>>>> cost something like $300. Bios passwords aren't that easy to by-pass.
>>>
>>> What a load of TOTAL BULL***!
>>>
>>> Almost ALL BIOS passwords can be bypassed by resetting to default with
>>> a jumper, or battery removal. The number of machines that CAN'T be
>>> fixed this way is so small it's nonexistent in the real world.
>>>
>>> You scam artists at Privacy.LIE might charge $300 to do a trivial 10
>>> minute job, but those of us who run HONEST businesses do it for free,
>>> or a very nominal fee. It's like plugging in RAM. You usually do it
>>> just for the advertisement value of knowing that when the person has a
>>> real problem or wants some new toys they'll be back, and recommend you
>>> to other people with real problems and needs.
>>>
>>> I'm sure this sort of integrity, common sense, and knowledge of simple
>>> tech skills is something you and your species knows nothing about. So
>>> why are you posting your uninformed idiocy in this group?
>>>
>>I wish i had read this far before posting now - well said Borked!
>
> I disagree.
>
> All security involves a trade off between preventing access and
> inconveniencing the genuine user. Further all security can be bypassed,
> its just that some is harder and costlier than others. Further, security
> also is about letting you know your system has been compromised.
>
> In a domestic environment setting a BIOS password is a reasonable measure,
> its unlikely that anyone will remove the CMOS battery to reset the
> machine, and if they do, it is obvious because the password will no longer
> work. Many machines allow for a small padlock to secure the case against
> this happening.

Who said anything about a BIOS password being unreasonable? It's fine if
you want to keep your technically challenged family members out of your
machine.

The problem was some moron saying it would cost $300 to fix if you forgot
the password.

>
> The advice about not losing the password is good advice, and generally

Malarkey! Not loosing your passwords is a nobrainer, but the FUDding
idiocy about what might happen if you do spread by SOME grossly
incompetent fools deserves to be dealt with accordingly.

> people who undertake work for free are either fools or worth every penny
> you pay. I certainly would charge a client a minimum callout charge for
> removing a password. time is money.

People who do trivial jobs for nothing or a very nominal fee are the ones
other people come back to time and time again. Only wannabes who are
desperate for every dime because they're too incompetent to build up any
sort of loyal customer base charge for cracking a case and moving a jumper
or plugging in RAM. Or "puppy mill" techs working for Best Buy who don't
have a choice.

>
> As for 'the number of machines that can't be fixed being small' there
> are a lot of laptops out there and resetting the cmos password on them
> is non trivial nor is getting into the case of many.

Maybe for you. Not so much so for experienced techs who have popped open a
few hundred. Maybe a thousand? Who the hell can count 20 years worth?

>
> For the OP its the correct solution, so why complicate life ? -- Jim
> Watt
> http://www.gibnet.com

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