How to remove or reset a BIOS password

Posted on November 4, 2008 at 5:45 am

It could be a big hassle if someone forgets his/her BIOS password.  It means you can’t change anything on the BIOS like enabling a specific hardware, CPU time or changing the order of boot sequence.

There are many tips posted on the Net on how to solve this topic but let me summarize some of the best of these tips for you here.

Tip #1:  Remove and replace the CMOS battery.  Removing a CMOS battery will cause you BIOS memory containing the password to be cleared.   All of the information on the BIOS will be reset so this process assumes that you know your hardware and BIOS setup before attempting it.  The CMOS battery looks like an ordinary watch battery and you can remove it with a small flat screwdriver.  Make sure to unplug the power of your computer to avoid electric shock.

 

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Wait about 20 minutes before putting it back on the motherboard.  After that, turn on your computer.  You should see a fresh BIOS boot wherein you may need to configure your hardware and CPU time into the BIOS screen (since we cleared everything up).

 

Tip #2: Use a software to crack your BIOS password.  BIOS passwords are encrypted on your BIOS memory so it is easily readable by software that can crack the password.  Upon research from filefront.com I got this utility called Elevent Alliances Bios:

http://files.filefront.com/Eleventh+Alliances+Bios+v+32/;5061958;/fileinfo.html

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It is a DOS based executable so I run it using the command prompt.  Type cmd on the Start > Run window:

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Then call “bios320.exe” to the command line (I saved the executable file to my C drive):

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You should see the menu where you can choose to read about the software of just go directly to the “Crackers” menu and choose your BIOS type using up and down arrows.  You will not be able to use the mouse to choose menu items since this is a command line utility.  The output of the “Phoenix 1”  BIOS is shown below.  If you don’t know your BIOS’s info please checkout our previous post on how to access BIOS information. 

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There are other ways to unlock a BIOS password like putting the jumper on reset pins of motherboards.  This will need you to examine your motherboard’s manual to see where the pins are and where to put the jumper.  This is usually put near the BIOS chip so it will be easy to spot. 

Manufacturers also provide a master password.  You can try this list provided by www.biosflash.com:

http://www.biosflash.com/e/bios-passwords.htm

Also, check out my previous posts on how to find out your BIOS version and whether you need to update your BIOS or not. 

Ben Carigtan writes about websites, computers, technology and how to get the best out of them.

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Comments

5 Responses to “How to remove or reset a BIOS password”

  1. astin said on : November 4th, 2008 at 10:40 pm

    How to remove CMOS battery?
    I used screwdriver but somehow I ripped off battery support with battery inside it.


  2. Richard_zhou said on : November 5th, 2008 at 2:23 am

    Re-Plug the BIOS Battery of MotherBoard or Reset the CMOS option.


  3. Dean said on : March 16th, 2009 at 2:29 pm

    I tried removing the battery for 30 minutes, and reinstalled. Still asking for password before booting. Tried to access by using known manufactory back-door passwords. Didn’t work. It keeps telling me too many unsucessful attempts, must shut down. Cannot enter “setup” or “Boot menu” Tried removing battery for one and a half hours. Same results. It starts to boot, then immediately ask for password. Tried to use Operating system CD, won’t access CD. Any Ideas on how to fix this problem.


  4. john said on : April 1st, 2009 at 7:14 am

    try using this software cmospwd-5.0


  5. mark said on : October 27th, 2009 at 4:01 am

    A. By Using the Motherboard Jumper:

    In most motherboards CMOS battery is soldered, which makes it difficult to remove the battery. In this case we use another method.

    Almost all motherboards contain a jumper that can clear all CMOS settings along with the BIOS password. The location of this jumper varies depending upon the motherboard brand. You should read your motherboard manual to check its location. If you don’t have the manual then look for the jumpers near the CMOS battery. Most of the manufacturer label the jumper as CLR, CLEAR, CLEAR CMOS, etc.

    When you find the jumper, look carefully. There will be 3 pins and the jumper will be joining the center pin to either left or right pin. What you need to do, is remove the jumper and join the center pin to the opposite pin. e.g. if the jumper joins center pin to left pin, then remove it and join center pin to right pin. Now wait for a few seconds and then again remove the jumper and join the center pin to left pin.

    Make sure to turn the PC off before opening the cabinet and resetting the jumper.

    B. By Using Software:

    I have found that BIOS/CMOS Password Recovery Tool is the most effective.:
    BIOS/CMOS Password Recovery Tool is a program that works instantly to remove any lost or forgotten BIOS/CMOS password. Simply boot your PC to DOS and execute the program, and get access to forgotten BIOS/CMOS passwords in just seconds

    BIOS/CMOS Password Recovery Tool Service: http://www.biospasswordrecovery.com/


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