Overview
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Environment
MiWorkspace, Platform as a Service, Campus Computing Sites, DSW
Issue
BIOS passwords being set for MiWorkspace certified models
Resolution
BIOS passwords are now set as part of the on-campus build process (OSD), "BIOS and Driver Update Task Sequence" (TS), and any Windows OS in-place upgrade (IPU) process for all MiWorkspace supported Dell, HP, and Lenovo hardware models. Microsoft devices are not currently receiving BIOS passwords. BIOS passwords will not be pushed to existing machines but will only be set in the methods listed above.
BIOS passwords provide a security measure to protect system configuration and security settings. They are also needed because HP will no longer reset BIOS passwords, so computers with unknown passwords are a risk as this could cause them to be unmanageable and could prevent them from ever being rebuilt.
Affected Models
BIOS passwords are set automatically during OSD and IPU for the following models:
HP
HP Z240 SFF
HP Z2 G4 Workstation
HP Z400 Workstation
HP Z440 Workstation
HP Z4 G4 Workstation
HP EliteBook 840 G6
HP ProDesk 600 G3
HP ProDesk 600 G4
HP ProDesk 600 G5
Dell
Dell Precision Tower 3430
Dell Precision Tower 3431
Dell Precision 5530
Dell Precision 3440
Dell Precision 3450
Dell Precision 3460
Lenovo
All models
Questions and Answers
Q: Will additional models get BIOS passwords in the future?
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All supported models
Dell
All supported models
Lenovo
All supported models
Questions and Answers
Q: Will BIOS passwords be added for all MiWorkspace models.
A: We are planning to add BIOS passwords for all MiWorkspace certified models in the future.
Q: Will BIOS passwords be set on systems that are already in use?
A: BIOS passwords may be added at the time that systems are rebuilt using the OSD task sequence or , during a Windows in-place upgrades.
Q: Can I be provided with the BIOS password that I can adjust BIOS settings on a device in my department?
A: Yes. IT staff in Platform as a Service units can obtain the BIOS password by contacting the MiWorkspace Windows Engineering Team at euc-win-support@umich.edu., or when running the "BIOS and Driver Update Task Sequence".
Q: Why is it important that a BIOS password be set?
A: BIOS passwords provide a security measure to protect system configuration and security settings. They are also needed because HP will no longer reset BIOS passwords, so computers with unknown passwords are a risk as this could cause them to be unmanageable , and could prevent them from ever being rebuilt.
Q: How can I obtain the MiWorkspace BIOS password?
A: Access to the BIOS password can be granted upon verification of the requestor. Inquiries can be made on Slack in the #its-miworkspace-win-tier3 channel.