I just bought an HP omnibook 500 for $250. I was informed before I bought it that he didn't know the password to get into windows. As soon as I recieve the laptop I turn it on and it asks for a password right on start up. I've searched the forums for a way to get rid of the bios password but apparently with newer laptops, backdoor passwords and removal of bios battery or shorting a jumper does not work since the password is stored in the eeprom which does not need continuous power. I feel like this laptop was stolen and now I don't know what to do. HP requires a bill of sale for them to help you out so I feel like I'm stuck with a laptop I can't use. What should I do now?

not alot you can do, the password recovery people also want proof of ownership.
if you know the person you bought it from
return it, you got ripped off.
1-877-792-7225 for info on buying a new chip,
but it will cost $$$ to have a qualified electronic tech,this chip is soldered to the
motherboard, and is a surface mount chip. so
a pc shop tech,probably won't be able to do it,the chip is $99 and the repair rate
will probably exceed $100, so expect to pay
over $200 to get passed the security chip,
and then the hard drive may lock you out also,when the new chip is put in. they've made these worthless to thieves, unless they can find someone to buy it, without trying it out first.
and when you take it in, the repair shop
will check the serial number with the police,
to make sure it isn't stolen,before a repair will be done.
then they will be knocking on your door.

Take it down to the police department, and hopefully they can locate the owner and return it. There might even be a reward for it.
You could report the person you bought it from while you are there, but then you would have to explain why you got such a good deal!

here is another idea you have 2 choices. 1. go to the police station and tell them and quite possibly get charged with possession of stolen property. trust me there is a BIG chance it will happen because it happened to me. they said because it was a "Cheap" price or "too good to be true" price i should have "KNOWN" it was possibly stolen. well i recieved 1yr of probation and 30hrs community service. and the person i bought it from didnt get in trouble because the police had no PROOF i bought it from them. SO keep the laptop. and if its a windows password EMAIL me i have a solution for you!!
Hot.Burner@verizon.net