Running Ubuntu25.04 (clean install from USB) as only OS on Asus Vivobook (64AMD). Downloaded Microsoft UEFI.dbx and was locked out of boot. Also, couldn’t use printer that was available prior to UEFI update. Saw previous post regarding this issue. Took computer to Best Buy repair dept. They did all the things mentioned in previous post to rest boot password, all to no avail. Since I could still use much of the functions on the computer, I thought I’d to update grub, even though the previous post mentioned it should be updated prior to installing the UEFI update. Now am completely locked out of computer. Only get an error message which asks for unknown password.
The recommendation computer nerds when I took the Asus in, was to buy a new computer. I did, but has anyone had success in resurrecting a locked up computer? Or do I just salvage the SSD and go on with life?
Is it the UEFI Secure Boot password that it is asking for? That is something that once you set it, best to never forget it. Did Best Buy set a password and not tell you? Or have you forgotten one you set before?
You may be able to totally reset UEFI password, but it requires you to remove coin battery and/or jumper pins on motherboard. With laptops often not the easiest thing to do. You need to review manual to see details as varies by vendor.
Can you access the UEFI settings?
If you can, explore the menu and try and find:-
- Clear Secure Boot Data
- Restore Factory Default Secure Boot Database
- Reset to Setup Mode
Or any similar setting.
No. When I power up, I get a black screen with a message offering a couple of options that I can choose from…if I enter a password that I do not have.
I don’t remember ever creating a password and have even tried all of my favorites. I’m thinking that the UEFI update switched the machine to a secure boot mode?
I’ve read that many (most?) computer manufacturers have a list of default passwords. Yes? No?
When you power on, there must be a dedicated key to access UEFI settings?
Power on and try tapping Esc (unless your PC manual suggests another key)
There are no magic default passwords on modern Asus laptops; once a UEFI password is set, the firmware hashes it and forgets the plain text.
A full reset usually means opening the laptop, pulling the CMOS/RTC coin-cell (or shorting the reset pads) for a few minutes, then re-assembling. That clears all firmware data, including Secure-Boot keys. On many Vivobooks the battery is buried under the main board, so it’s a fiddly job—totally doable if you’re comfortable tearing it down, otherwise a repair shop or Asus RMA is the safer route.
If you can’t or don’t want to crack it open, salvaging the SSD is the next sensible move. Pop it out, drop it into a USB enclosure, and you’ve at least saved your data.
So: either (a) open it up and yank the coin cell to wipe the password, or (b) chalk it up, reuse the SSD, and move on. Wish there were an easier trick, but firmware passwords are designed to be this stubborn. Good luck!
As far as I know this won’t work on modern systems because password, keys and things like that are stored in non-volatile flash and therefore do not require power to be retained.
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This is just a mind flare. But can you install rEFInd to bypass/overlay the normal grub manager. OldFred can verify if this idea is cobblers or not.
Most with Apple Mac use rEFInd as it was the first to use UEFI as EFI before it was formalized as UEFI. Only works with UEFI, not old BIOS, although I believe it can force a reboot in old BIOS mode, which grub cannot do.
I always have a flash drive with rEFInd for emergency boot. It worked where my grub repair flash drive did not when I had a boot issueor was easier to use. I was about to throw a very old tiny flash drive away as nothing fit on it. But rEFInd did fit, so it is now my emergency boot drive.
I also like to have Supergrub and Boot-Repair on a flash drive also for repairs. Perhaps like belt and suspenders.
But only time I wore suspenders was my Wedding, ok maybe Prom, but do not remember that far back.
I will try rEFind. It is a .deb package and I’ve downloaded the file to my new computer, but haven’t installed it yet. Kindly explain how to get a bootable copy of it onto a USB drive.
Used the refind utility to get back to where I was just after I mistakenly installed MSN UEFI dbx update on my old computer…can log into computer as usual, but don’t have a printer and can’t access ADD PRINTER in Settings, so no printer. Also, don’t yet know if anything else has affected. Would re-installing Ubuntu 25.04 be of any use in this? And I sure would like to regain control of the boot sequence.
Does CUPS help? You don’t say what printer in use.