My laptop died.
I took out the HD but could not access the old HD with the password, I was sure the password was correct but it did not work.
I had the motherboard replaced and now the laptop works but I still cannot access the HD.
I am sure the password is 100% correct.
So. Is the encryption tied to the motherboard? Or have I overlooked something?
Is encryption tied to the motherboard?
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- powerwagon75
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Re: Is encryption tied to the motherboard?
Was this a dual boot with Windows 10?
If so, was it using TPM and BitLocker, or some such security program?
Can you provide make/model of the laptop, and any details about what was exactly installed on it?
If so, was it using TPM and BitLocker, or some such security program?
Can you provide make/model of the laptop, and any details about what was exactly installed on it?

Custom tower w/Mint 18
HP lap w/Mint 18.3
Acer w/W10/Mint 18.3
Macbook w/El Capitan/Mint 18.3
Optiplex 960 "Frankenbox" w/Fedora 33/Mint 18.3/Mint 19.2
Acer C720 Chromebook w/GalliumOS
Mac PPC G4 w/Lubuntu
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- Level 2
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Re: Is encryption tied to the motherboard?
Hi
Thank you.
Windows... 7? maybe 10? It is dual boot but I have not logged into windows for a year or so and cannot remember.
Laptop is Acer Aspire Nitro V
once the laptop died I took out the hard drive to see if I good access it. There was no way I could get in.
But now I have the laptop back, I cannot use my password and it seems that I cannot remember my bios password....
fun fun fun.
Thank you.
Windows... 7? maybe 10? It is dual boot but I have not logged into windows for a year or so and cannot remember.
Laptop is Acer Aspire Nitro V
once the laptop died I took out the hard drive to see if I good access it. There was no way I could get in.
But now I have the laptop back, I cannot use my password and it seems that I cannot remember my bios password....
fun fun fun.
- powerwagon75
- Level 4
- Posts: 297
- Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2016 4:05 pm
- Location: USA
Re: Is encryption tied to the motherboard?
So are you saying you ran the hard drive encrypted withe old motherboard?
Since your motherboard was just replaced, it should not have a BIOS password set on it..unless you explicitly told the repair person to put one in for you.
Try booting a live session USB and see if the hard drive is visible (likely not accessible if encrypted, though.)
(still thinking this sounds a little like a TPM issue)
Since your motherboard was just replaced, it should not have a BIOS password set on it..unless you explicitly told the repair person to put one in for you.
Try booting a live session USB and see if the hard drive is visible (likely not accessible if encrypted, though.)
(still thinking this sounds a little like a TPM issue)

Custom tower w/Mint 18
HP lap w/Mint 18.3
Acer w/W10/Mint 18.3
Macbook w/El Capitan/Mint 18.3
Optiplex 960 "Frankenbox" w/Fedora 33/Mint 18.3/Mint 19.2
Acer C720 Chromebook w/GalliumOS
Mac PPC G4 w/Lubuntu
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- Level 2
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2010 10:23 am
Re: Is encryption tied to the motherboard?
Ah. of course! I missed That!it should not have a BIOS password set on it
Bios is being weird. It gives a 8 digit login that it does not recognise.
It can boot into Linux on a USB
I use the USB to navigate to /home on the HD and get Access-Your-Private-Data but that is locked.
So am back to the start....
- powerwagon75
- Level 4
- Posts: 297
- Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2016 4:05 pm
- Location: USA
Re: Is encryption tied to the motherboard?
So, what exactly do you see at start up? Do you get the grub menu screen (dual OS..do you see Windows as an option?) Or are you being prompted for a password before even seeing grub?
Since your hard drive is encrypted, and you have seen the "Access-Your-Private-Data", you could try as was suggested here from a Live USB session:
https://askubuntu.com/a/704111
I don't do encryption, so afraid I'm nearing the end of assistance.
Do you remember your password to decrypt your /home/user folder? You'll need it, if you try the askubuntu suggestion above.
Since your hard drive is encrypted, and you have seen the "Access-Your-Private-Data", you could try as was suggested here from a Live USB session:
https://askubuntu.com/a/704111
I don't do encryption, so afraid I'm nearing the end of assistance.
Do you remember your password to decrypt your /home/user folder? You'll need it, if you try the askubuntu suggestion above.

Custom tower w/Mint 18
HP lap w/Mint 18.3
Acer w/W10/Mint 18.3
Macbook w/El Capitan/Mint 18.3
Optiplex 960 "Frankenbox" w/Fedora 33/Mint 18.3/Mint 19.2
Acer C720 Chromebook w/GalliumOS
Mac PPC G4 w/Lubuntu
-
- Level 2
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2010 10:23 am
Re: Is encryption tied to the motherboard?
If I do not F2 into Bios I get an standard grub and then Mint login screen. But password does not work.
I cannot get into Bios. Login will not work.
So I cannot get into windows.
When the laptop died. I took out the HD and I have been all over the linked thread. And got nowhere.
So I put the laptop in for repair.
It came back with a new motherboard and now the password still does not work for Mint.
Thank you for your help and suggestions so far.
All good. I will have to try post elsewhere.
I can usually work things out but encrypted HDs are not my thing.
There "has" to be a key. Something I have not thought of.
Password is good. But it tells me I need the 19 digit key which I do not have.
I cannot get into Bios. Login will not work.
So I cannot get into windows.
When the laptop died. I took out the HD and I have been all over the linked thread. And got nowhere.
So I put the laptop in for repair.
It came back with a new motherboard and now the password still does not work for Mint.
Thank you for your help and suggestions so far.
All good. I will have to try post elsewhere.
I can usually work things out but encrypted HDs are not my thing.
There "has" to be a key. Something I have not thought of.
Password is good. But it tells me I need the 19 digit key which I do not have.