Lost password - Reset the BIOS
If you have forgotten or lost your BIOS password, prompted at system startup, this page provides, among other things, the method to remove the password request at the very start of the PC (do not confuse with the login password which may appear after the Windows logo).
To begin, please note that the startup password is stored in non-volatile memory, meaning it retains its data even when the PC is turned off. This chip, located on the motherboard, is commonly referred to as the BIOS. There are two ways to reset the BIOS:
- Hardware reset
- Software reset
Hardware Reset The goal of this procedure is to reset the BIOS so that it loses any trace of potential passwords or to restore it to working condition in case of a crash. This is done by moving a jumper on the motherboard. The biggest challenge is finding this jumper. Caution: this procedure will also reset other BIOS settings. If you have made modifications, these will need to be configured again.
- Step 1: Open your computer case after completely shutting it down and unplugging the power cable. Touch the metal chassis of the case to discharge any static electricity.
- Step 2: Check your motherboard documentation to locate the position of the jumper that allows resetting the BIOS. If you have no documentation, look on your motherboard for one of the following inscriptions: CLR BIOS, CLEAR BIOS, CLR CMOS, CLEAR CMOS, RESET BIOS, or RESET CMOS. It is generally found near the motherboard's battery. Note the name of the jumper associated with the inscription. In our example, it is jumper JP4.
- Step 3: Find the reset jumper on your motherboard. It is generally also near the battery. If the jumper is on a 3-pin connector, place it across the middle pin and the initially uncovered pin (moving from position pin1-pin2 to pin2-pin3, or vice versa). Wait a second then return the jumper to its original position (pin1-pin2).
If the jumper is on a 2-pin connector and is only across one pin, place it across both, wait a second then replace it in its original position.
- Step 4: Reconnect the power cable to your case and start your PC: the password has disappeared.
Software Reset If the password is only requested in the setup, it may be possible, with certain motherboards, to recover it without having to perform all the above manipulations.
Download the CMOSPWD software (freeware):
https://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/CmosPwd This 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
Other Tips in the BIOS Category
Modify Boot Devices
Common BIOS Commands
FDD CONTROLLER FAILURE
KB/INTERFACE ERROR
BIOS ROM CHECKSUM ERROR-SYSTEM HALTED
CMOS BATTERY FAILED
CMOS CHECKSUM FAILURE
Update (flash) the BIOS
CMOS Battery Low / CMOS Wrong Memory Size
CMOS CHECKSUM ERROR - DEFAULT LOADED
Lost password - Reset the BIOS
Access the BIOS setup
Toshiba
To reset the password of a Toshiba, you can use KeyDisk. If this doesn't work, you can try to build the Toshiba Parallel loopback. To make a simple device that you connect to your parallel port, many Toshiba computers remove the password when you boot it up. The device, named "loopback" by some, could be made out of any parallel wire with 25pins connectors (db25). You should connect these pins: 1-5-10, 2-11, 3-17, 4-12, 6-16, 7-13, 8-14, 9-15, 18-25
I hope I was clear for you, thanks.
