I can't recall CMOS password. What can I do?

My powermanagement (SMM) was Enabled, and my windows95 operating sytsem is deleted...... So I have to go into the CMOS/BIOS setup but low and Behold you need a password... My luck so how do you fix my problem of getting the passwords.......!!!!!!!!!!!!!THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This question was answered on August 28, 2002. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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If the password was set by the manufacturer or another user, try some common passwords, such as "password", "user', "BIOS", "CMOS", "Setup", "Award", "AMI", or "Phoenix" You might get lucky.

Next, check the documentation that came with your system Some motherboards have a jumper for the password that, when changed, empties the last stored password.

Finally, you can remove the CMOS battery for several minutes if it's not soldered to the motherboard This will erase all of the CMOS settings, not just your password, so be sure to backup the settings or write them down so that you can restore them again after replacing the battery Step-by-step directions with pictures are available at the following website: http://howto.lycos.com/lycos/step/1,,139 24491 6236,00.html

Further information can be found by searching Google using "CMOS password" (include the quotation marks) in the search box.

Good Luck

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Posted by Lois of Mesa Community College on August 28, 2002

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