Password at the BIOS Levell

  • Thread starter Thread starter JCO
  • Start date Start date
J

JCO

Wanted to work that was donated to our Non Profit Organization and as soon
as it boots, you have to enter a password. So I decided to use F8 or "Del"
to get into the BIOS but I can't do that either. Keeps asking for a
password (DOS type Screen). I suspect this is in the BIOS, therefore, how
can I reset it?

I thought if I can change the HD out, with another and then install the
Operating system, but it still asks for a password. There must be some way
to reset this. I can't even format the disk with a utility because it won't
boot from a CD or a Disk. I can't set it to look for a CD or Disk first
because I can't get to the setup page due to the password.

What a hassle!
 
JCO said:
Wanted to work that was donated to our Non Profit Organization and
as soon as it boots, you have to enter a password. So I decided to
use F8 or "Del" to get into the BIOS but I can't do that either. Keeps
asking for a password (DOS type Screen). I suspect this is
in the BIOS, therefore, how can I reset it?

I thought if I can change the HD out, with another and then install
the Operating system, but it still asks for a password. There must
be some way to reset this. I can't even format the disk with a
utility because it won't boot from a CD or a Disk. I can't set it
to look for a CD or Disk first because I can't get to the setup
page due to the password.
What a hassle!
Click to expand...

Turn off the computer...
Take out the battery on the motherboard for 24 hours...
Put it back in, power it back on, go into the BIOS.
 
Wanted to work that was donated to our Non Profit Organization and as soon
as it boots, you have to enter a password. So I decided to use F8 or "Del"
to get into the BIOS but I can't do that either. Keeps asking for a
password (DOS type Screen). I suspect this is in the BIOS, therefore, how
can I reset it?
Click to expand...


Removing the small battery (about the size and shape of a US quarter)
on the motherboard resets the password. Wait a few minutes (15-30)
then replace it.

Usually 15-30 minutes is enough, but on some motherboards it can take
as much as a few hours, so if 15-30 minutes doesn't work, try again
and wait longer.
 
Isn't that going to completely wipe out the BIOS, or will it just
reset passwords and date/time? I doubt that he has a replacement
floppy to flash the BIOS if he loses the data in it.

Anyway, one other option, some motherboards enable reseting the BIOS
password by changing a jumper setting. When you open the case, see if
there are any stickers indicating what jumper to change. Also, if you
can look up the computer or motherboard make/model, you may be able to
download a motherbaord manual that explains which jumper to reset.
 
Isn't that going to completely wipe out the BIOS, or will it just
reset passwords and date/time?
Click to expand...


You've quoted nothing so I'm not sure what this was about. *If* I
remember correctly, this might be about the suggestion to remove the
motherboard battery.

If so, no, it doesn't completely wipe out the BIOS, it just resets it
to its default settings (among which are the password and the date and
time).


I doubt that he has a replacement
floppy to flash the BIOS if he loses the data in it.
Click to expand...


Not needed. Flashing the BIOS is needed only if you want to change the
version of the BIOS.

Anyway, one other option, some motherboards enable reseting the BIOS
password by changing a jumper setting.
Click to expand...


Yes, that's correct. Note that that does exactly the same thing as
removing the battery for a while.

When you open the case, see if
there are any stickers indicating what jumper to change. Also, if you
can look up the computer or motherboard make/model, you may be able to
download a motherbaord manual that explains which jumper to reset.
Click to expand...


That's an alternative if your motherboard supports it, but it's no
different and no better than removing the battery for a while.
 
No problem. I've been messing with computers for a long time. I know how
to do everything that is needed for the BIOS. Just sometimes you forget the
easy stuff, like resetting everything by taking the battery out.

Thanks for your concern. I will have an update next week when I get back
over to the place where I was working on it.
 
Ken,
Computer is way to old. This was before they put a BIOS reset. I'm working
with a Non Profit Organization and these are donated "TRASH" that I'm trying
to get working. Profit goes to buying groceries to feed the pore folks in
the area. Sorry about the soap box. Just explaining the situation as to
the fact that this is old stuff.
http://www.need-tarrant.com

Thanks
 
JCO said:
No problem. I've been messing with computers for a long time. I know how
to do everything that is needed for the BIOS. Just sometimes you forget
the easy stuff, like resetting everything by taking the battery out.
Click to expand...

Just BTW, that approach oftne works on desktop systems, more frequently does
not work on laptops as an anti-theft measure. With laptops, you can have
to send the unit for service to clear BIOS passwords.

HTH
-pk
 
By the way, taking the battery out worked great.

Shenan Stanley said:
Turn off the computer...
Take out the battery on the motherboard for 24 hours...
Put it back in, power it back on, go into the BIOS.
Click to expand...
 
JCO said:
Wanted to work that was donated to our Non Profit Organization and
as soon as it boots, you have to enter a password. So I decided
to use F8 or "Del" to get into the BIOS but I can't do that
either. Keeps asking for a password (DOS type Screen). I suspect
this is in the BIOS, therefore, how can I reset it?

I thought if I can change the HD out, with another and then
install the Operating system, but it still asks for a password. There must
be some way to reset this. I can't even format the
disk with a utility because it won't boot from a CD or a Disk. I
can't set it to look for a CD or Disk first because I can't get to the
setup
page due to the password.
What a hassle!
Click to expand...

Shenan Stanley wrote
Turn off the computer...
Take out the battery on the motherboard for 24 hours...
Put it back in, power it back on, go into the BIOS.
Click to expand...
By the way, taking the battery out worked great.
Click to expand...

Glad it worked for you!!!
Thanks for coming back to let us know.
 
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