Unlock BIOS password

[maxidius]

Hi all,

My friend's niece has a problem with her PC. Somebody set password to her PC's BIOS, but she doesn't know it. How can I access the BIOS?

I don't know if this is a notebook or a desktop. I will ask her again.

(1) If it is a desktop, I think I may be able to re-set by moving a jumper, or taking out the battery for few minutes -- but I am not sure if this is correct way or not.

(2) If it is a notebook PC, I don't know how to do it.

Or, is there any way to retrieve the password, or disable it to access BIOS?

I appreciate very much any guidance, hint, or help.

[Gorganzola]

If it is a desktop then you can do as you mentioned and just use the jumper to clear things. Notebooks are a different beast altogether. You will have to contact the manufacturer for assistance to remove the password. For a Dell it's easy, you call them, verify the account information and they will contact a senior tech that will run the challenge code through a tool and give the password to unlock it. If it is an HP, you have to send it to HP, pay their fees and then get your notebook back. I don't know for other manufacturers.

[ctal]

I suggest that you find out what the make and model number of the computer is, and look at the manual at the manufacturer's website. Procedures vary. On the Gigabyte GA-EX38DQ6 desktop mobo that I have, both an administrator (system) password and a user password can be entered. They can be cleared simply by hitting "enter" twice on the password setup in the bios. Other systems might require using the clear cmos jumper or removing the battery while also disconnecting ac power.

Regards,
-- Al

[Gorganzola]

Wow, press enter twice and it's gone, now there is protection. At least with the jumper solution you can lock the chassis to keep things from happening there.

Originally Posted by ctal

I suggest that you find out what the make and model number of the computer is, and look at the manual at the manufacturer's website. Procedures vary. On the Gigabyte GA-EX38DQ6 desktop mobo that I have, both an administrator (system) password and a user password can be entered. They can be cleared simply by hitting "enter" twice when asked for the password during startup. Other systems might require using the clear cmos jumper or removing the battery while also disconnecting ac power.

Regards,
-- Al

[ctal]

Originally Posted by Gorganzola

Wow, press enter twice and it's gone, now there is protection. At least with the jumper solution you can lock the chassis to keep things from happening there.

I misphrased that slightly, and I have revised my previous post. You have to know the existing system password (not user password) to be able to change any bios settings; if you enter that password and then access the bios screen where the passwords are set up, you can hit "enter" twice to clear either the user or the system password. So it's more secure than my original miswording suggested.

Regards,
-- Al

[Gorganzola]

Aha! That makes more sense.

Originally Posted by ctal

I misphrased that slightly, and I have revised my previous post. You have to know the existing system password (not user password) to be able to change any bios settings; if you enter that password and then access the bios screen where the passwords are set up, you can hit "enter" twice to clear either the user or the system password. So it's more secure than my original miswording suggested.

Regards,
-- Al

[maxidius]

Thanks for all replies. I am still waiting for any info of the maker, model and type, desktop or notebook, of the PC in trouble.

One more trick I can think of is to update BIOS version, if that PC still boot into Windows, or any OS. Since the new BIOS version will wipe out the old one, it will return to default settings. But, that is a big IF until there is more info. Many thanks again.

[Gorganzola]

I would think it would prevent BIOS flashing if there was a password set and resetting the BIOS default won't remove a password anyways. Try Load Setup Defaults in a BIOS and see what happens.

Originally Posted by maxidius

Thanks for all replies. I am still waiting for any info of the maker, model and type, desktop or notebook, of the PC in trouble.

One more trick I can think of is to update BIOS version, if that PC still boot into Windows, or any OS. Since the new BIOS version will wipe out the old one, it will return to default settings. But, that is a big IF until there is more info. Many thanks again.

[maxidius]

Finally an email to me merely said that the PC was fixed, without any info as to how it was fixed. If I have any detail, I will put it here. But I feel a bit upset as the person asked for help with a demand for info, but did not share what was done.