How do I reset a BIOS password?
Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/07/2008 - 19:25
The BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System it refers to the software that runs during boot up when the computer is first powered on. It's primary function is to prepare the computers hardware to execute, and assume control of the computer. The best method to reset a BIOS password depends on what BIOS the computer has. Common BIOS's include AMI, Award, IBM and Phoenix there are many others but these are the most common.
Most BIOS's also allow you to require a password be entered before the system will boot. If you work on computers you will find from time to time the need to bypass the systems BIOS password if the password is forgoten or unknown.
Thier are three common methods used to reset BIOS password:
- Resetting the BIOS Password using Hardware
- Using a Backdoor BIOS Password
- Resetting the BIOS Password using Software
1. Resetting BIOS passwords using the Hardware Method
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. The
easiest way that will work on most computers is to remove the battery from
the motherboard all the CMOS information will be lostwill including the BIOS
password. Before you remove the battery make sure the computer is not connected
to a power source.Example of Bios Battery:
After you remove the battery wait for ten minutes and then place it again.
Note that this action not only resets the BIOS password but it also resets
any other BIOS settings so don't do this if you don't know how to setup your
BIOS settings again!If it doesn't work trying removing the battery for an
hour or so.
2. Use a manufacturers backdoor password to access the BIOS
| Manufacturer | BIOS Password |
|---|---|
| VOBIS & IBM | merlin |
| 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 |
| Award | 01322222, 589589, 589721, 595595, 598598 , ALFAROME, ALLY, ALLy, aLLY, aLLy, aPAf, award, AWARD PW, AWARD SW, AWARD?SW, AWARD_PW, AWARD_SW, AWKWARD, awkward, BIOSTAR, CONCAT, CONDO, Condo, condo, d8on, djonet, HLT, J256, J262, j262, j322, j332, J64, KDD, LKWPETER, Lkwpeter, PINT, pint, SER, SKY_FOX, SYXZ, syxz, TTPTHA, ZAAAADA, ZAAADA, ZBAAACA, ZJAAADC. |
|
AMI
|
A.M.I., AAAMMMIII, AMI?SW , AMI_SW, BIOS, CONDO, HEWITT RAND, LKWPETER, MI, PASSWORD |
| Phoenix | BIOS, CMOS, phoenix, PHOENIX |
3. Resetting the BIOS Password using Software
The one of the easiest ways to find the BIOS password is using a software
program but this is often not helpful because the machine has to be successfully
booted in order to run the program. You must know the memory address where
the BIOS password is stored, and the format in which the BIOS password is
stored two good programs for this are !BIOS
and CmosPwd.Direct Downloads:
!BOIS - 48KB
CmosPwd 4.8 - 104KB
