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December 22nd, 2025 08:29

My SSD got lock after i use dell wipe boot function to erase the disk

Hi, I am trying to install linux on my latitude 3470 and when wiping it, this happen. Anyone know how to fix it? I tried contact dell support but they told me to give them the receipt of this ancient machine.

5 Practitioner

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1.5K Posts

December 24th, 2025 12:04

Hi

Dunno.

I might try ..........

Initially make a USB with a widely used/supported distro, like Debian or Mint.

Boot using that to prove the remaining hardware etc is recognised.

Consider whether the CMOS coin cell removal will or wont wipe the BIOS requirement for a HDD password.

Avoid CMOS resets alone, as they clear BIOS but not the drive-level lock.

Also give a few more details when requesting help.

Please can you confirm the Make Model and OS, along with any configuration details like touch screen, backlit keyboard, SFF or tower etc etc.

A good internet search may well offer help...

Hotplug Unlock Technique

Boot a Linux live USB (e.g., Debian, Mint or even Ubuntu), disconnect the SATA cable from the HDD, boot without the drive to bypass BIOS enforcement, then hotplug the drive (if supported) and use hdparm commands like hdparm --user-master u --security-unlock <masterpw> /dev/sdX followed by --security-disable. Requires AHCI mode and a compatible system; USB enclosures often fail.

Visit bios-pw.org, input your Dell service tag (e.g., 1234567-595B format) or BIOS hash code displayed on boot, and generate a master HDD password using En-US keyboard layout. Enter this master code at the HDD prompt, then reset to blank or a new password like "1234" in BIOS Security > HDD Password settings. This method applies to many Dell models but may not work on newer NVMe SSDs.

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