Linux - HP Probook 450 G6 BIOS Password Reset

To reset the BIOS password you will need a flash chip programmer.

I am using the CH341A programmer.

1) Installing Flash Utility

Install the utility flashrom.

sudo pacman -S flashrom

2) Reading the BIOS

Connect the reader cable to the BIOS chip.

Make sure to disconnect the laptop battery and remove the CR2032 battery from the motherboard before powering on the programmer.

Run the below command to read the BIOS from the flashrom.

The actual chip and the flashrom compatible name aren't necessarily the same. The flashrom name used for GD25B127D is GD25Q127C/GD25Q128C.

sudo flashrom --programmer ch341a_spi --chip "GD25Q127C/GD25Q128C" --read bios_locked_1.bin

flashrom v1.2 on Linux 5.15.57-2-MANJARO (x86_64)
flashrom is free software, get the source code at https://flashrom.org

Using clock_gettime for delay loops (clk_id: 1, resolution: 1ns).
Found GigaDevice flash chip "GD25Q127C/GD25Q128C" (16384 kB, SPI) on ch341a_spi.
Reading flash... done.

Read the BIOS twice and compare both reads to confirm the file's integrity.

8aa398dc1e6d7854c2a25f5506e961bb  bios_locked_2.bin
8aa398dc1e6d7854c2a25f5506e961bb  bios_locked_1.bin

3) Removing the Password

Download the software RCUnlocker. This utility is windows only.

Install Microsoft C++ redistributes x64 & X86.

Drag the locked bios.bin file onto the rcunlocker.exe binary.

It will create a new file and add unlocked to it.

4) Flashing the BIOS

Flash it back to the BIOS chip with the command below.

sudo flashrom --programmer ch341a_spi --chip "GD25Q127C/GD25Q128C" --write bios_locked_1_unlocked.bin

flashrom v1.2 on Linux 5.15.57-2-MANJARO (x86_64)
flashrom is free software, get the source code at https://flashrom.org

Using clock_gettime for delay loops (clk_id: 1, resolution: 1ns).
Found GigaDevice flash chip "GD25Q127C/GD25Q128C" (16384 kB, SPI) on ch341a_spi.
Reading old flash chip contents... done.
Erasing and writing flash chip... Erase/write done.
Verifying flash... VERIFIED.

Plug the battery back, go to the security settings and reset it as instructed by RCUnlocker.

Also, upgrade your BIOS if a new model is available.