Thread: Cheap laptop at Tesco

I've just come back from Tesco, where they have HP520 laptop for B8,800. It's a demo model and starts up, but is locked with a BIOS (blue) message saying "Power on Password". After searching it appears this is tricky to resolve, depending on the model.

Any suggestions on whether to buy or not? The original price is B16k, but that was probably a while ago. There is no guarantee at all, which is normally the case with demo stuff at Tesco.

What are the chances that someone at Pantip could get it working? If I had to go to the HP office would they charge a lot? Any help is much appreciated.

Wouldn't touch it, to be honest.

^ I don't mean to be rude, but are you knowledgeable on computers? I just spoke to someone else, who says it shouldn't be difficult to resolve. Searching on the net, I see that it can be done. It seems to be only a password problem, not a hardware problem.

Originally Posted by Smithson

There is no guarantee at all, which is normally the case with demo stuff at Tesco.

I bought a desktop HP from BigC
When it went wrong HP told me that the gaurantee had expired and quoted the date it was delivered to BigC.
I argued and showed them the receipt, packaging etc, etc. and they accepted it.
They drove all the way to my house and fixed it.

Buy it and then get HP to fix it for you.

Originally Posted by Smithson

What are the chances that someone at Pantip could get it working?

A few hundred baht and all will be sorted.

The 520 has possibly 3 different boards:

For use only with computer models with Intel Core processors and WLAN capability 448339-001
For use only with computer models with Intel Celeron M processors and WLAN capability 448337-001
For use only with computer models without WLAN capability 448338-001

Once you establish which board it has you can then google to find out more info on using jumper points to reset BIOS passwords.

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/su...reg_R1002_USEN

I just googled this
"Sounds like somone has put in what they call a bios/boot user password.
This is a password that is used before windows even loads up.
If no one will tell you the password the only other way i know of to reset the password is to open the computer case and remove the CMOS battery which is a CM2032 button batter you cant miss it
Remove that battery and remove power to the case for a few minutes then replace the battery and power back on. "

Will that work ?

I still wouldn't touch it... nor take the risk. Add a bit more & buy a machine with warranty...

I tried doing as Spin suggested, but no luck, the machine still didn't start.

From checking on the net, taking out the battery may or may not work.

I think Rick is correct, it's taking a risk and the saving isn't really that great.

The model is HP 520, an old one, originally selling for 16k. However the newer and better one is the HP 540, which is now selling for 15K.

Interestingly, the demo HP 540 they have is displaying the same message. I guess when this model is superseded they will sell the demo model cheap. Considering this, I'd still be interested if anyone finds out more info on getting the machine running.

the battery is there to supply power so to conserve changes made to the BIOS - like setting a password

if you remove the battery for a couple of minutes any capacitance in the circuit will deplete and the eeeprom will revert to its default state , which means that unless it was flashed with a BIOS that contained a password - highly improbable - you will be left with a BIOS in the default config.

^ as said a bove, remove the battery for 3 mins is the best way as long as its easy to get to