Hey guys, I've done a lot of reading about hdd ata password both on the internet and on your nice forum. I've come to know that there are two levels of security level for ata password: high and maximum. Setting hdd password in bios of the laptop creates password only with high security level(as Victoria shows). And I would want it to be maximum because i don't like the fact that by examining the error code bios gives when inputting wrong password you can easily get master password and bypass the whole thing. I understand that ata password at all is quite low level security(and easily hacked by a specialist), but if it's possible I would still like to change the security level of the password to maximum.

If hdd password is not set in bios, I can set it with Victoria and use maximum level. But laptops encrypt their passwords, so if I input for example "1234" in Victoria, it won't work at laptop boot password prompt as it would look for an encrypted version of "1234"(as I understand).

So is there any solution for this?

The machine is Samsung Q310. Hdd - Hitachi HTS543225L9A300.

Thanks in advance!

Encrypt the drive with Bitlocker or PGP. That will stop 99% of the pros out there.

Truecrypt is free and an option to.

That's what i was about to do, but ran into the fact that i can set up hdd password while reading about encryption, started reading more and more, found that there is security level, and became curious if I can change it...

the BIOS is responsible for un/locking the drive at POST so you have to change the way it uses ATA security. Possible but difficult. The easiest and most effective protection is encryption (with side effects too) as - for example - dealing with the drive security takes only a specialized tool and some know how.

Where is this password and data concerning security level stored? In some flash memory chip of the hard drive that also contains its firmware? So i guess there is no easy way to just change that part of data on the memory chip that is responsible for security level without changing password? maybe there is some command for changing security level without password(while knowing the password)?

On negative parts @ the platter

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Rescue IT Datarecovery service Sweden
Rescue IT Dataräddning Göteborg AB
http://www.rescue-it.se

Depends on disk...

Of course, but we still talking about the OP's drive..right?

_________________
Rescue IT Datarecovery service Sweden
Rescue IT Dataräddning Göteborg AB
http://www.rescue-it.se

In his case yes, otherwise it depends. My statement was ' in general '

so can i access this part of the platter? maybe with linux commands? Maybe the security level is all about changing a few bits?

I guess though, if I do it incorrectly hdd wont work again, no more, right?