Re: Retrieving BIOS password information

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance



"Ajay Shinde" <AjayShinde@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:1948CD90-2BB6-49C9-B549-3FF7E02242F0@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dear All,

1. In a VC MFC application we are using WMI class 'Win32_ComputerSystem' to
get the Administrative Password status ('AdminPasswordStatus' property),
Power On Password status ('PowerOnPasswordStatus' property) and Keyboard
Password status
('KeyboardPasswordStatus' property).
However when we retrieve password status using this class, results are not
consistent. It is not guaranteed that when password is enabled the password
status shall be returned as 'Enable'. Sometimes 'Unknown', 'Not Supported'
shall be returned as password status.

Could any one have idea behind this this behavior.

2. Is there any way available like WMI, Win32 API, etc. to retrieve HDD
password status that is 'Enable' / 'Disable'.
Please let me know the if any of such method is available.

3. Is it possible that some BIOS might treat Administrative Password
(privilege for doing BIOS settings) as Power On password. And when Power On
password is enabled, value of 'AdminPasswordStatus' property from WMI
'Win32_ComputerSystem' will change
Could any one plaese confirm this behavior.

Any hints on above issues are really helpful.


I had not known it was possible for Windows to query these bios level things. MS has been pushing the BIOS makers to give more control to Windows, but am not sure how much it now has, and of course older BIOS's are not compatible. Perhaps you should google "windows bios" or something and find a more appropriate document or forum. Sorry!

-- David

.



Relevant Pages

  • Win32_ComputerSystem class for system password status
    ... In a VC MFC application we are using WMI class 'Win32_ComputerSystem' to ... Power On Password status and Keyboard ... Is it possible that some BIOS might treat Administrative Password ... value of 'AdminPasswordStatus' property from WMI ...
    (microsoft.public.win32.programmer.wmi)
  • Retrieving BIOS password information
    ... In a VC MFC application we are using WMI class 'Win32_ComputerSystem' to ... Power On Password status and Keyboard ... Is it possible that some BIOS might treat Administrative Password ... value of 'AdminPasswordStatus' property from WMI ...
    (microsoft.public.vc.mfc)
  • Re: Retrieving BIOS password information
    ... In a VC MFC application we are using WMI class 'Win32_ComputerSystem' to ... Power On Password status and Keyboard ... Is it possible that some BIOS might treat Administrative Password ... MS has been pushing the BIOS makers to give more control to Windows, but am not sure how much it now has, and of course older BIOS's are not compatible. ...
    (microsoft.public.vc.mfc)
  • Re: KB835732 breaks S3 standby timer
    ... APM is a BIOS ... for power control. ... most late SCSI and NDIS drivers hook WDM ACPI messages. ... Windows driver interaction issues, you should disable ACPI for these ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.windows_update)
  • Re: My troublesome P5W DH De Luxe boards
    ... The last problem I recall appeared to be the floppy controller failing, but I couln't pin that down definitely, as I might have got the power connector the wrong way round. ... Not to mention a lot of data on the hard drives that I would like to access or recover. ... Power light comes on on the board, CPU and video card fans both spin up, but can't get into BIOS and see no video. ...
    (alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus)