Hi msval254,
see on the HP-Support, it is possible to reset your Bios total, including your password.
The best way: Write HP-Support a mail for your problem.
More to write here is forbidden.
Knowledge is power - there really isn't any "dark" or "evil" knowledge. There's just knowledge..... and how you use it.
Just about all the super low-level coding I do can be used to subvert Windows (or any other OS, really) just as easily as I use it to fix things. It's rarely a good idea to hide knowledge, because, as you yourself said, it can always be found elsewhere. Seeing as you can never prevent this type of info from actually being revealed, you may as well go ahead and promote a safe, secure, and ethical discussion of the topic.