Lost BIOS password - Resetting the BIOS

June 2014

Lost BIOS password - Resetting the BIOS

Hardware reset
Software reset

You don't remember your BIOS password! How to

reset it? The BIOS password is stored in a non-
volatile memory, which can be cleared, hence
clearing the password too! The chip is located on
the motherboard. Two method are described here -
hardware reset and software reset. Both these
methods have been described in detail.

Hardware reset

The aim is to reset the BIOS so that data that the related passwords is cleared out. This is done
by moving a jumper on the motherboard. The biggest challenge is to find this jumper. Note that:
This procedure also reset the BIOS settings to default!

Step 1: Turn off your PC, unplug the power cable and open your system unit. Touch the
chassis of the casing with a metallic object to discharge static electricity.
Step 2: Check the documentation for your motherboard to locate the position of the jumper
that resets the BIOS. If you don't have a manual, look on your motherboard for one of the
following tags: CLR BIOS, CLEAR BIOS, CLR CMOS, CLEAR CMOS, RESET BIOS or
RESET CMOS. If the jumper is on 2-connector pins and it is held on a single pin, place it
on both, wait one second then return it to its original position.
Step 3: Find the jumper on your motherboard reset it. It is usually close to the battery.If the
jumper is on 3-connector pins, place it on the middle and the initially uncovered pins. Wait
for some time and put the jumper in its original position (PIN1-PIN2).If the jumper is on a 2-
connector pins and that is holding on a single pin, place it on both, wait one second and
then return it to its original position.
Step 4: Power up and start your PC: the password will have disappeared.

Software reset
If the password is only required at setup, it is possible, with specific motherboards, to recover it
without having to follow the hardware reset instructions described above. Download CMOSPWD
software (freeware): here The program works with the following BIOS:

ACER/IBM BIOS
AMI BIOS
AMI WinBIOS 2.5
Award 4.5x/4.6x/6.0
Compaq (1992)
Compaq (New version)
IBM (PS/2, Activa, Thinkpad)
Packard Bell
Phoenix 1.00.09.AC0 (1994), a486 1.03, 1.04, 1.10 A03, 4.05 rev 1.02.943, 4.06 rev
1.13.1107
Phoenix 4 release 6 (User)
Gateway Solo - Phoenix 4.0 release 6
Toshiba
Zenith AMI

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