Technology Hardware Removing BIOS Password Protection
To remove password protection from your BIOS (without already knowing what the password is), you have several options:
1. Try the Default BIOS Password
Try entering a default password. BIOS manufacturers use different default passwords, and the password sometimes also varies with the make and model of motherboard.
If you're locked out, it could either be because the BIOS password feature was enabled but no password was explicitly entered (in which case the default password applies), or someone may have intentionally set a new password.
Below is a list of common default passwords to try. In the case of Award BIOS, sometimes the default password is accepted even if a different password has been set.
- AMI
- Award
- bios
- setup
- cmos
- concat
- AMI_SW (this one is case sensitive)
- AMI!SW/
- AMI?SW/
- A.M.I.
- AWARD_SW (overrides any password on some Award BIOS)
- j262 (also sometimes overrides a set password)
- Condo
- J332
- j332
- j256
- 589589
- AWARD?SW
- lkwpeter
- LKWPETER
- aLLy
- phoenix
- biostar
- biosstar
- Syxx
- Wodj
A Special case for some Toshiba laptops: There is a trapdoor to bypass the BIOS password. To enable the trapdoor, create a floppy disk on which the first five bytes of sector 1 (the second sector) are "4B 45 59 00 00". When booting up with this floppy inserted, you can bypass the password (simply press Enter when asked for the password and the machine will prompt to set a new password).
2. Discharge the CMOS (typically is NOT an option for laptops)
If none of the default passwords work, you may have to clear the password by discharging the CMOS. The CMOS is a memory bank that contains BIOS start up parameters for your PC, including any BIOS password that may have been set. The CMOS relies on a battery to keep its contents when the computer is turned off. If you disconnect the battery or connect the CMOS discharge pins while the computer is turned off and unplugged, the contents of the CMOS will be erased.
The first step is to consult the motherboard manual. There will be a page or two that explain how to locate the CMOS jumper. Usually discharging the CMOS involves placing the jumper over the two CMOS pins for a few seconds while the computer is off, and removing the jumper and turning the computer back on.
If you cannot locate the motherboard manual, sometimes you can still find the CMOS pins by visually inspecting the motherboard with a flashlight. Often you'll see two bare metal un-jumpered pins with the word "CMOS" written on the motherboard right next to them.
If you have located the CMOS pins but do not have a jumper, you can still clear the CMOS by placing a flat head screwdriver tip across the two pins to short them. DO NOT do this while the PC is turned on - it's only safe to perform with the computer turned off and completely unplugged from the wall. To clear the CMOS, you must short these two pins for about 30 seconds, then power the system back on.
If you cannot locate the CMOS pins, you might still be able to reset the CMOS contents by removing the CMOS battery. Some older style motherboards power the CMOS with a flat round silver battery, which is about the size of a United States nickel (the 5c coin). The battery is often held into place by a metal clamp, but it should be easy to remove the battery by placing a finger on the top of the battery and sliding it to one side or the other. Remove the battery while the computer is turned off and unplugged. Leave the battery out for about 30 seconds, then slip it back into place.
3. There Is Life After CMOS...
Once you've successfully discharged the CMOS using one of the methods above, you can boot the computer and the BIOS should be reset to non-password protected state. Note that ALL of the CMOS contents will have been reset (including the password), so the computer may report an error message on the first boot that indicates that the CMOS is out of date, needs to be rewritten, or is being reset to default settings.
Most PCs will recover just fine after this initial boot process. Or if the message does not go away, then at the worst case you may have have to go into the BIOS, select the option to load defaults, and then save the settings. This should clear any error being reported and allow the PC to boot normally.
4. The Last Resort...
If you you've tried ALL of the above and were unable to reset the BIOS password, you might try looking for a BIOS password recovery utility. The best place is to check the manufacturer's web site for a program that will either reset or erase the BIOS password. It's a last resort, but it's an option if you've tried everything else and not yet found success.
