Fastlock - Sewell Direct

FastLock is a DOS-based security program produced by Sewell Development Corp. that first shipped in 1989. It "locks" a computer's hard disk by encrypting the root directory and file allocation table (FAT) of a hard disk, and then requiring the user to produce a password at boot-up time to unlock the disk. The last version of FastLock shipped was version 2.02, in 1993.

The original publisher of FastLock also shipped the program as part of a bundled package called "FastLock Plus". This package included the FastLock program (fl.exe), and another vendor's security program as well. Our company did not develop the other component, and has no information regarding any technical or year 2000 issues related to this other component. The FastLock component of FastLock Plus is the same as the standalone version of FastLock.

Operating System Platform

Be sure to use FastLock only when booted directly from DOS (not from within a DOS box in Windows). Do NOT use it on a Windows 95/98/ME or NT/2000/XP system. Due to the potential for using this product on an untested platform, we no longer sell the product. We recommend that you do not use the program on any new computers that you have not already used it on. We also recommend discontinuing use of the program if you upgrade your computer with a newer operating system version.

Lost or Forgotten Password

If you can provide proof of license for FastLock, Sewell Development Corp. can recover your lost or forgotten password. This requires us to run a special program that can take up to 24 hours to recover your password. The fee for this service is $20 USD, billed to your credit card, or you can send us a check in advance.

Here is what you need to do. First, from the boot-up screen asking for your password, press Alt-U (i.e. press the 'U' key while holding down the Alt key). You should see two rows of numbers and letters appear on this screen. Print this screen out if you can, or copy the numbers down very carefully. FAX this sheet to us at (801)356-3826, or copy the numbers and letters and send them to us via an e-mail message to support@sewelldirect.com. If you are not in a hurry, you can also mail this information to us at:

Sewell Development Corp.

Sewell Direct
1467 West 105 North
Suite L
Orem UT 84057

If paying by check, include your check with the information described above. If paying by credit card, include your credit card info on the FAX, or give it to us on the telephone at (801)356-3823.

After having received the coded information and your payment information, we run a special program to crack the password. We will call you when the password has been retrieved (generally within 24 hours). This program is successful in recovering the password about 98% of the time.

Machine Won't Boot After Locking with FastLock

If you lock the computer with FastLock, and do not see the usual password prompt the next time you boot the computer, try the following procedure. First, boot the machine from a floppy disk. Then copy the FastLock "fl.exe" program onto this disk. Run "fl.exe" from the floppy disk. Then press Alt-U (i.e. press the 'U' key while holding down the Alt key). At this point FastLock will load the "unlock" screen you normally see when booting the computer. If the information needed to unlock the disk has been damaged, FastLock will look for a backup copy of this information in an unused part of the disk. For this reason, it is important to not run any other type of disk recovery or diagnostic utility before attempting this procedure. Doing so may erase the backup copy of the information FastLock needs to unlock the disk. If the information is found, FastLock should be able to unlock the disk as usual. If not, you will probably need to run FDISK, and FORMAT to wipe the disk clean and restore your data from a backup (hopefully you have one at this point). Since FastLock does not alter the data portion of your disk (only the root directory and FAT), some disk recovery utilities may be able to recover some of your data. It is highly unlikely you will be able to recover all or most of it, however.