Tech scam hit neighbor

Is this the very first screen that shows when you boot up?
--- If it isn't what is the very screen that shows up?


I'm wondering if the core issue is a BIOS password. Opinions please.
The password being requested is an administrative password and it's possible the issue is based on how the system has been configured using an administrator password.
I just checked my Dell BIOS and there is an entry for a Supervisor Password, not an administrator password.
--- Even if Dell's default's BIOS password could work, it won't in your case if the issue is entering the proper administrative password.
In essence the issue could amount to an unknown administrator account password vs. an unknown BIOS password.

Hi,
Not any bios shot I've ever seen
Please read the tutorial

ThrashZone said:

Hi,
Yeah one can not add a bios password remotely
Only way to remove a admin password would be to reload windows unless Dell can do it which they may have a master but I doubt that.

Enable or Disable Elevated Administrator account in Windows 10 Windows 10 Tutorials

Remove the hdd and see if the message appears.
You will be directed directly to the bios.

MeAndMyComputer said:

I just checked my Dell BIOS and there is an entry for a Supervisor Password, not an administrator password.
--- Even if Dell's default's BIOS password could work, it won't in your case if the issue is entering the proper administrative password.
In essence the issue could amount to an unknown administrator account password vs. an unknown BIOS password.

It's called "admin password" on my Dell:

Hi Bree, I agree "It appears to be solely down to the bios password"
I must have missed it but I wasn't aware that there was a BIOS upgrade involved.

I did go into my DELL BIOS and created a Supervisor password. Saved the changes and booted into Windows.
Went back into my DELL BIOS and entered a wrong password: the only thing that happened was the Supervisor password was requested: entered the correct password and all went well.

Is it possible for that scumbag to update and enter the BIOS and create an administrator password w/o having to restart the computer remotely?

MeAndMyComputer said:

Is it possible for that scumbag to update and enter the BIOS and create an administrator password w/o having to restart the computer remotely?

I posted earlier that Dell has a utility (CCTK) that can set the admin password from Windows. Since the attacker had remote access to Windows then they could set the password without restarting the computer.

Have a look at the article here and hope it helps

How to Remove Syskey in Windows Explained with Examples

PolarNettles said:

I posted earlier that Dell has a utility (CCTK) that can set the admin password from Windows. Since the attacker had remote access to Windows then they could set the password without restarting the computer.

Yes you did. Thanks for that reminder.