Hi,

I have a toshiba portege M600. It has a Hitachi hard disk. Every time I boot, it asks me a boot up password, I enter it and windows XP boots and I can use the laptop.

However, when I get into BIOS, I see that the User+HDD master password is set. I remember by User password but do not remember the master password and my goal is remove the HDD passwords totally.

I booted from a floppy into MHDD. However, MHDD only detects the CD ROM. I tried running MHDD again with CD drive pulled out from the laptop, but no luck, MHDD does not detect the drive

I tried to connect this hitachi drive to a Lenovo T61p but as expected, it asked me for a boot up password and did not accept the password that normally would be accepted in the Toshiba.

Is there a way I can have MHDD detect this drive on toshiba and then use some commands to erase/remove the hdd password so that it is unlocked and I can use it as an external drive using an external bay adapter. Please help

unfortunately you will have know the password in MHDD to unlock it. You can try using HDDunlock but i don't think it supports your drive, but doing this will make you lose all your data as it erases the disk. Or you can try AFF repair station but it's going to cost you $ 50.

What is important is is the way the password is being used.. Access Control or AC + HW Encryption (e.g. new wd drives)
1. BACKUP THE DRIVE in WIN XP. (DONT MESS WITH IT UNLESS YOU BACKUP EVERYTHING!!! First!)
2. Try MHDD on another system with no password. ( Directly connect the HDD to the Mother board or SATA/IDE connector. no USB.
3. Try to reset the password with MHDD.
4. If you can't, bring it to a real Data Recovery shop. They should have tools that can access the Drive's Firmware and Board... P.M me if you need help.

I have tried steps 2 and 3 but no luck. The disk is not sensed/detected at all in MHDD. Looks like I have only last option left. any more tips ?

Lets call your main Computer (with the stored password) "Computer #1".

If its locked by the Desktop that it's linked to, then this password protected hard drives might require proprietary access and unlocking.

Basically if it works in the Original Desktop Computer (Computer #1) ... and you can Boot into it... then do so.. back everything up..
Then go to town on cracking/deleting/changing/revealing the PW. I have HDD tools.. that can reset the password / unlock etc.. Some MFGs have jumper settings or software that can reset it, etc..

In theory, if you are prompted for a User-Password and the Bios automatically grants you access to the Hard Drive... and lets you boot.
(by the BIOS sending the stored HDD-password to the HDD, after you have authenticated yourself to the BIOS as Authorized user..).

Then, with that said.. it sounds like it's more of a MHDD Compatibility issue with the on-board controller/Bios; vs. the HDD still being locked when you boot into MHDD (on the original Computer).. Making it seem as if you are locked out or that its not working because you don't have the Hard Drive Password..

The big question is how does the Hard Drive use the Password.. does it just lock you out or is it also encrypting the Data... that's crucial to what will happen if you reset the password.

Application of this password security: Basically if you're an employee who wanted to steel the Hard Drive (not the data)... this would prevent you from using it on another computer unless you know the password (and that computer has the means/protocol to communicate and unlock the Hard Drive..).
Some systems like STB DVR Recorders (Tivo/Replay/rerun/JJ..blabla) Marry themselves to their HDD, to prevent people from accessing data on their HDD (other than on the STB/DVR).

Another BIOS limitation: There are some BIOS systems that prevent HDD Boot Table Alterations to prevent Boot-Viruses/Rootkits. These need to be disabled in order to reinstall OS or Repartition, etc...

Disclaimer: Do this at your own risk.. I'm not responsible if you damage anything in the process (or if you think you have) by following these instructions..

What you have to figure out is if MHDD works on the Main Computer Desktop (Computer #1):
1. Remove your PATIENT (password protected) HARD DRIVE....
2. Get another spare hard drive (that works).. plug it into Computer #1 (replacing the problematic password protected HDD).
3. Boot up into MHDD and see if it sees the new spare HDD you plugged in.
If it doesn't detect... you could try looking for "Compatibility Mode" within your BIOS settings for the on-board IDE/SATA Controller..
Usually you can switch between "Enhanced Mode" / "Compatible (Legacy Mode)". See if that works..
If it works for the spare than you know the HDD is locked.. by the BIOS stored HDD-password...

If so, try this Hot-Swap method may work:

1.) I would backup the Hard Drive first! and CHECK THE BACKUP IS GOOD!!!
Then, either:
a.) Follow your BIOS/Motherboard MFG instructions to reset all passwords.. (very likely rendering all the info on the hard drive gone.. but) unlocking the Hard Drive.
or
b.)
. 1.) Boot your system, then press PAUSE a second after you enter your BIOS USER-Password.
. 2.) Then pull the SATA cable out of Computer #1 while paused (no HDD activity) and still powered. (Keep Computer #1 ON).
. 3.) Plug the HDD's SATA cable into another Desktop Computer (Computer #2) or Laptop with an EXPRESS CARD-to-SATA Adapter (Computer #2) (NOT USB).
. 4.) Bootup Computer #2 with a MHDD Disc/Disk with the (now unlocked) patient Hard Drive plugged into..

Now MHDD may be able to discover it and reset the HDD-Password

Good luck