How do i rest a BIOS password?

Question

Someone gave me this old computer,Windows 98 dell

bios revisionao7,optiPlex gx1 400 mtbrt. When i turn it on the screen is black,it says,primary hard disk drive1 not

found,secondary hard disk drive1 not found.

Type the password and press enter .I typed in the password they thought it was and it says,incorrect password,number of unsuccessful password attempts:7

or more System halted! must power down. What can I do to get the computer to come on? Thank you very much,

Speedbump

Answer

This question was answered on March 29, 2007. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

The best method to reset a BIOS password depends on what BIOS the computer has. Common BIOS's include AMI, Award, IBM and Phoenix. Numerous other BIOS's do exist, but these are the most common.

Some BIOS's allow you to require a password be entered before the system will boot. Some BIOS's allow you to require a password to be entered before the BIOS setup may be accessed.

The general categories of solutions to reset a BIOS password are:

- Using a Backdoor BIOS Password

- Resetting the BIOS Password using Software

- Resetting the BIOS Password using Hardware

Reported BIOS backdoor passwords for other manufacturers include:

Dell- Dell

Biostar- Biostar

Compaq- Compaq

Enox- xo11nE

Epox- central

Freetech- Posterie

IWill- iwill

Jetway- spooml

Packard- Bell bell9

QDI- QDI

Siemens- SKY_FOX

SOYO- SY_MB

TMC- BIGO

Toshiba- Toshiba

Resting the BIOS password using software:

Every system must store the BIOS password information somewhere. If you are able to access the machine after it has been booted successfully, you may be able to view the BIOS password. You must know the memory address where the BIOS password is stored, and the format in which the BIOS password is stored. Or, you must have a program that knows these things.

Resetting the BIOS Password using Hardware:

f you cannot access the machine after if has been powered up, it is still possible to get past the BIOS password. The BIOS password is stored in CMOS memory that is maintained while the PC is powered off by a small battery, which is attached to the motherboard. If you remove this battery, all CMOS information (including the BIOS password) will be lost. You will need to re-enter the correct CMOS setup information to use the machine. The machines owner or user will most likely be alarmed when it is discovered that the BIOS password has been deleted.

On some motherboards, the battery is soldered to the motherboard, making it difficult to remove. If this is the case, you have another alternative. Somewhere on the motherboard you should find a jumper that will clear the BIOS password. If you have the motherboard documentation, you will know where that jumper is. If not, the jumper may be labeled on the motherboard. If you are not fortunate enough for either of these to be the case, you may be able to guess which jumper is the correct jumper. This jumper is usually standing alone near the battery. If you cannot locate this jumper, you might short both of the points where the battery connects to the motherboard.

If all else fails, you may have to clear the BIOS password by resetting the RTC (Real Time Clock) IC (Integrated Circuit) on your motherboard.

Many RTC's require an external battery. If your RTC is one of this type, you can clear the BIOS password just by unsocketing for 10 minutes and then replace it.

Author

Posted by Ryan of Chandler-Gilbert Community College on March 29, 2007