BIOS Password

Old SSGT · Apr 21, 2023

I do work for non-profits. One was given two very nice laptops that were completely wiped. I cannot do anything with them because there is a BIOS password on them. I came across this once before and the company did not know the password making the PC useless. I am afraid this may be the case for these are well. Is there an ethical way to get past this? Thank you for your help.

cereberus · Apr 21, 2023

How to Clear a Desktop BIOS or CMOS Password

Many different solutions for how to clear a BIOS or CMOS password on a desktop computer.

www.computerhope.com

Bree · Apr 21, 2023

Old SSGT said:
I do work for non-profits. One was given two very nice laptops that were completely wiped. I cannot do anything with them because there is a BIOS password on them. I came across this once before and the company did not know the password making the PC useless. I am afraid this may be the case for these are well. Is there an ethical way to get past this? Thank you for your help.

There are a number of ways to reset a bios password, but these vary depending on the make or model. Look on the support site for the machines concerned, entering the model number, service tag or serial number. You may find specific instructions for the laptops there.

Otherwise, there are some general tips here...

Please visit wikiHow directly

bobkn · Apr 21, 2023

cereberus said:
How to Clear a Desktop BIOS or CMOS Password

Many different solutions for how to clear a BIOS or CMOS password on a desktop computer.

www.computerhope.com

The link is for desktop PCs, but the page includes a link for laptops.

Laptop BIOS passwords are more secure than for desktop PCs.

TechnoMage2021 · Apr 21, 2023

To hold a password or any other setting, the CMOS depends on power from the CMOS Battery. Interrupt that power, however you can, for an hour or so, and the CMOS will forget everything, including passwords.
It's a very basic FIX , but it's always worked for me.

good luck,
TM

bobkn · Apr 21, 2023

TechnoMage2021 said:
To hold a password or any other setting, the CMOS depends on power from the CMOS Battery. Interrupt that power, however you can, for an hour or so, and the CMOS will forget everything, including passwords.
It's a very basic FIX , but it's always worked for me.

good luck,
TM

I'm far from expert on that, but I worry that for laptops, the BIOS password is kept in firmware, not in the CMOS. Clearing the CMOS may not get rid of it.

TechnoMage2021 · Apr 22, 2023

May Not? What skepticism! Try it before you knock it.
I've found that sometimes the simple fix is the best one.

Bastet · Apr 22, 2023

I had the same problem with a pre-owned laptop & I had to turn it off, unplug it, remove all peripheral devices, remove the laptop battery & the CMOS battery, then long press the on/off button to discharge any residual power & leave it for 30 minutes. Then reconnect the batteries, plug it back in & turn it on.

TechnoMage2021 · Apr 22, 2023

Some motherboards will have a "Clear CMOS" jumper somewhere close to the Battery.
That is supposed to Clear the CMOS when it is shorted.
But I've had limited success with that. Removing all power from the PC for about a half hour usually does the trick.
On some Laptops today, just getting down to the CMOS battery requires a Rocket Scientist.

Good Luck,
TM

Anibor_11 · Apr 22, 2023

bobkn said:
I'm far from expert on that, but I worry that for laptops, the BIOS password is kept in firmware, not in the CMOS. Clearing the CMOS may not get rid of it.

Yes, correct. And the only way to recover from a "lost" "BIOS" password may be to change the mobo.

Hazel123 · Apr 22, 2023

I've done it on the little Eee PC's - they had bios contacts on the motherboard like two little copper triangles. You held each end of a paperclip against two little triangles and it reset the bios. What make and model are the laptops? Removing the cmos battery didn't work with those - it needed the contacts short circuiting to reset the bios. But it worked every time.