Tutorials - Hardware

How to Reset BIOS/CMOS Password

What would you do if you forget your BIOS password?
Don't freak out, it's so easy to remove the password. Before you do ANYTHING, if your touching inside of a computer, it MUST be completely OFF (even take out the power cord @ the back of the case).

There are a couple of ways to do this. I'll show you two hardware tricks.

Trick # 1:

1. Shut down the computer and disconnect the power cord.
2. Open the case.
3. BIOS password is stored in CMOS memory and it will be maintaied while the computer is off by a battery on your motherboard. Find the battery and take it out. BUT remember that all your CMOS information (including BIOS password) will be removed.
4. Wait for two - five minutes.
5. Install the battery again and you can turn your computer on. DON'T forget to re-enter the correct CMOS setup information before you use your computer.
6. DONE! The password has been removed.

Note: Some mother boards, have soldered the battery on the board. In this case, use Trick # 2!

Trick # 2:
Most motherboards have a jumper to remove the CMOS password. See your motherboards manual to find that jumper. If you don't have the manual, it is easy to identify it. It's a two pin jumper that sometimes has the lable "CMOS" and most likely is near the battery. After you've found that jumper, follow the steps.

1. Shut down the computer and disconnect the power cord.
2. Find the CMOS jumper and take it out (note that some motherboards has four pin CMOS. In that case, your jumper by default is in pin # 1 and 2. So take it out and put it on pin # 3 and 4).
3. Wait for two - five mintues.
4. Put the jumper back.
5. DONE! The password has been removed.