Bios Password

[mitchbryant]

As I am sure all of you get lots of calls from friends that need you help - I got that call last night around 10:30 PM..

This person ahs a gateway PC and the kids have set a password at the Bios level and you know that person "I don't know" did it and that person is not around.

Ok, I know that you can jumper and reset that - any thoughts on how and is that the same for all PCs. Is it a set jumper ???

Thanks

[bdunn]

Hi,
There is no "standard" jumper in this regard.

There are other things which work:

1. If the PC is set to boot from a disk in a: first and then c: there are numerous programs including one here in the utilities section to kill the cmos settings.

2. If this is not the case or the BIOS is Award Brand they had a master password. Put in AWARD_SW and you will be able to get in.

Good luck
Bruce

[houseisland]

If you are desperate, you might trying uninstalling and reinstalling the CMOS battery. You will have to reset things, though. I have never tried this on a newer system, but I know it works on some 486s.

[paleman]

Try all your kid's favorites cartoons.

[cordon]

If you can find out the make and model of the motherboard, there's usually some sort of documentation available online.

Find the manufacturer through windrivers, you may be able to got the jumper location from them.