Clear BIOS Password

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A BIOS or CMOS password is set and entered from a DOS-like prompt after a computer is powered on and before Windows or another operating system loads. If you have a computer with a BIOS password that has been forgotten, or is unknown, you will not be able to get past the password prompt to boot the operating system or even view what is on the hard drive. Fortunately, there are several methods that can be used to bypass a BIOS password and gain access back to your computer.

Steps

Resetting Jumpers

  1. Disconnect everything from your desktop tower. Before opening your desktop's case, it's recommended that you detach all of the cables that are currently attached to the back.[1]
    • Make sure that the power cable has been detached.
    • You may be able to perform this method on a laptop as well, but it will require removing the protective case from the back of laptop. You will usually need to remove all of the other panels as well as the battery to get access to the motherboard.
  2. Press the power button after unplugging the computer. This will dissipate any charge remaining in the motherboard's capacitors, reducing the risk of electrostatic damage.
  3. Remove the screws on the back to access the inside of the case. Most desktops have thumbscrews, though you may need a Phillips-head screwdriver to loosen or remove the screws.
    • You may find it easier to lay the desktop on its side on a table or workbench so that you can easily access the inside without having to bend over.
    • Open-a-Computer for more detailed information on opening a desktop computer.
    • Open-a-Computer for more detailed instructions on opening a laptop computer.
  4. Ground yourself. Before touching anything inside your computer, you should ground yourself to discharge any built-up static electricity. If you discharge when touching a sensitive component, it could damage or destroy it.
    • You can quickly ground yourself by touching a metal water tap. Ground-Yourself-to-Avoid-Destroying-a-Computer-with-Electrostatic-Discharge.
  5. Locate the BIOS reset jumper. This jumper is typically two pins, and is almost always blue. It is usually located near the silver CMOS battery (it looks like a watch battery), but this certainly isn't always the case. Refer to your computer or motherboard's documentation if you are having difficulty finding it.
    • The jumper may be labeled CLEAR CMOS, CLEAR, CLR, JCMOS1, PASSWORD, PSWD, etc.[2]
    • If you don't have a reset jumper (and not all computers do), skip down to the next section.
  6. Move the jumper one pin over. Most BIOS jumpers are installed on two of three available pins. Moving the jumper over by one pin will reset the password.
    • For example, the jumper is covering pins 1 and 2. Move the jumper so that it is covering pins 2 and three.
    • If there are only two pins available, removing the jumper completely will reset the password.
  7. Wait about thirty seconds. This will ensure that the BIOS sees the changes made by the jumper and clears the password.
  8. Return the jumper to its original location. After waiting for about thirty seconds, you can return the jumper to its original position.
  9. Close up your computer and reconnect any cables. You shouldn't need to get back inside the computer after this, so make sure to close it up completely.
  10. Power on the computer and enter the BIOS. Enter-BIOS. Since you've reset the BIOS, things like your system clock will need to be adjusted. Any settings changes that you previously made in the BIOS, such as drive assignment or boot order will need to be set again.

Removing the CMOS Battery

  1. Know when to use this method. It's recommended that you use the jumper method above if possible. If you cannot find or don't have a reset jumper on your motherboard, you may be able to accomplish the same thing by removing and reinserting the CMOS battery.[3]
    • The CMOS battery looks like a watch battery, and it powers the motherboard even when the computer is off. This is how the password is stored on your motherboard along with the system time and your computer's BIOS settings. Removing and reinserting the battery will clear all of these settings.
  2. Disconnect the computer, open it, and ground yourself. See the Steps 1-4 of the previous section for more details.
  3. Locate the CMOS battery. It will be silver and is typically located along the edge of the motherboard. The battery is about 1/2 inch in diameter.
  4. Carefully remove the battery. Most batteries are held in by one or two small clips. Gently pull the battery out of the socket and set it to the side.
    • Note: Some batteries may be soldered to the motherboard and are not removable. If this is the case and you don't have a reset jumper, see the next section.
  5. Wait for about thirty seconds with the battery out of the socket. This will ensure that the BIOS settings are completely cleared.
  6. Reinsert the battery. After waiting about thirty seconds, you can return the battery to its socket. Make sure you are inserting it with the correct side facing up.
  7. Close up your computer and reconnect any cables. You shouldn't need to get back inside the computer after this, so make sure to close it up completely.
  8. Power on the computer and enter the BIOS. Enter-BIOS. Since you've reset the BIOS, things like your system clock will need to be adjusted. Any settings changes that you previously made in the BIOS, such as drive assignment or boot order will need to be set again.

Finding a Backdoor Password

  1. Know when to use this method. If you don't have a jumper and your CMOS battery is not removable, or you are using a laptop where you can't access the motherboard, you may need to find and use the "backdoor" password to access the BIOS>
    • A "backdoor" password is a password built-in to the BIOS by the manufacturer. It is hidden, so you'll need some special software to find it.
  2. Turn on the computer and fail the password three times. This will lock the computer and display a "System Disabled" message. Don't worry, when you reset the computer it will go back to normal and no data will be lost. You need to do this in order to see the code required to find the backdoor password.
  3. Note the code displayed when you are locked out of the computer. When you see the "System Disabled" message, you'll see a series of numbers and letters. Write this down, as you'll need it to find the password later.
  4. Visit the password generator website. Open bios-pw.org/ on another computer's web browser. This website can generate backdoor passwords based on the code that was displayed.[4]
  5. Enter the System Disabled code and click "Get password". The website will attempt to generate a password that matches your computer. You may be given several passwords to try.
    • Note: If you didn't get a code when the system was disabled, your computer may use its own serial number to generate a backdoor password. Click the "More details" link at bios-pw.org/ and follow the instructions to download and run the correct script for your computer's manufacturer.
  6. Change your BIOS settings. After entering the correct password, make sure that your BIOS settings are correct so that you won't be locked out again. Unlike the jumper and CMOS battery methods, entering the backdoor password will not reset your BIOS settings.

Tips

  • If all three of these methods do not work, you will need to contact your computer's technical support service.

Video

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000235.htm
  2. ↑ http://www.howtogeek.com/131623/how-to-clear-your-computers-cmos-to-reset-bios-settings/
  3. ↑ http://www.dewassoc.com/support/bios/bios_password.htm
  4. ↑ http://bios-pw.org/
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