Suddenly there's a password on my BIOS!

[Reverend]

The attempt to install win 95 or 98 must have done this because it wasn't me - and of course I don't know what the password is.

How can I get into the BIOS? Is there a default password? Are computers really worth the hassle? Should I shoot myself now or later?

Thanks - Reverend

[Murf]

First of all, your system may have reverted to its default password. Try these as passwords:

AMI
Award
bios
setup
cmos
AMI_SW (case sensitive)
AMI!SW/
AMI?SW/

For Award BIOS, AWARD_SW (case sensitive) should even override a set password! If
not, also try j262.

If none of those passwords worked, look in your motherboard/PC's manual for a jumper that will reset the CMOS. If you can't find it in the manual, look on your motherboard and find the battery. There should be a jumper with three (3)pins directly adjacent to the battery. To reset the CMOS Settings/Password, move the jumper to the 2-3 position if it is currently 1-2, or 1-2 if it
is currently 2-3, then turn on the system, wait a few seconds, then turn the power off. Now, move the jumper back to the original pins.

If, however, you can't find a jumper, it may be necessary to remove the CMOS battery. If the battery is not soldered to the motherboard, this should be an easy task. With the computer's power off, remove the battery and replace it a few minutes later. That should do the trick.

Take note that resetting the CMOS settings may cause the motherboard to revert to a default password on some boards. The password is usually Award, AMI, etc...


------------------
Murf

Visit-Murf's Windows Garage
Murf's On-Line Specialty Store

[Reverend]

Murf!

Some other dickhead had used the computer and put a password there. I found out who and what it was and all is cool.

Great info though - I kept it, thanks for that!

Reverend

[Dodge]

Murph, thanks for the Info in here. I see questions like this every little bit, now I know what to do.

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Please remember to let us know if it worked or not...JJ

[NoBoB]

Reverend, the individual that passworded that machine was Richard Cranium. Only his friends call him Dick Head.

[Reverend]

NoBob!

There is indeed a Richard Cranium lurking in every nook and cranny of human life.

In terms of the general public I guess he's the consumer - in our field he's contemptuously known as the 'end user'!

God bless his incompetant buns!

Reverend Nice

[Murf]

thunks

------------------
Murf

Visit-Murf's Windows Garage
Murf's On-Line Specialty Store

[NEM1S1S]

just like to add the fastest way to destroy a CMOS password is to use KillCmos (downloaded off the net). No hassles of opening the case up and looking for jumpers, and in under 10 seconds, a fully functioning BIOS.

[Vernon Frazee]

killcmos.zip is available at the bottom of this page:
http://www.comp-air.com/vfrazee/killcmos.htm

[This message has been edited by Vernon Frazee (edited 05-15-2001).]

[wonderinguy34]

FYI

KILLCMOS is a useful and valid app ,however there is a chance your AV will detect it as a virus due to its Function and you may not be able to D/L easily.

[Reverend]

Wonderinguy34 and all you Dudes!

The cmos lives, the computer is dead.

Nothing will install on it (SUWIN errors, Fatal Exceptions, GPF's, Stop Errors and BSOD's).

I'm going to download killcmos and kill my BIOS just so I have the last word. Then I'm going to get satisfaction with a hammer!

I just want the pain to stop!

Thanks to all dudes for all your help - I lost. I'll just have to put this one down to posterior!

Reverend Nice

[kmputerguy]

Hey is this a DELL? or does it use Pheionix bios? There may be a way to erase the password using a jumper.
Here's a web site I found on that, its for a Dell Optiplex 5__ xl, but it may be a bit of a help I dunno. http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/dta/586XL/00000030.htm

[Reverend]

Dude:

I found the person that set the password and I beat it out of them.

Thanks for your suggestion.

R