Resetting BIOS password

fatboyonadiet

How do I do it? A friends got a laptop and wants to do this, how hard/easy is it?

T4i

What laptop is it?

There should be a backdoor BIOS password from the manufactorer.

fatboyonadiet

Not sure, where would he find the backdoor password? Is it in the manual?

T4i

Not sure, it will be on the internet somewhere. Find out what make/model it is.

fatboyonadiet

Cheers, will do.

bingo_bango

Not sure about lappies, but I had to do this on a desktop a couple of years ago. Was as simple as removing the bios battery for 3 seconds....then re-inserting it. Worked fine, and no bios password asked for on re-entry.
Btw....pc was switched off at mains!

davet_3

Hmmm removing the battery doesn't always work as depending on the bios it can still remember the content. On my motherboard you have to move a jumper between pins to wipe the bios.

paul&nat

Is there a jumper setting on laptops that you can do the reset with ??

steve!_10

paul, most likely. Failing that I'd remove the battery for a few seconds, or risk removing the BIOS chip itself. Bear in mind you'll lose all the settings in the BIOS and not just the password.

bingo_bango

I'd google the lappie make and model along with bios password and try all non invasive options first. I did once flash the BIOS in an old desktop, but only after 3 days reading all the warnings about not doing it. Seems it can be a risky business. Same prudence would be advised in this case before deciding to remove the chip, as you may end up having to reflash it to get it working again. If that's the case, you'll need to know exactly the version you have currently, and try to match that. These files should however be available from the BIOS manufacturer's website.

T4i

Its ok saying remove a CMOS battery or resetting the CMOS jumper from a laptop but it usualy isn't that easy.

Laptops are a nightmare to get inside for a start. The CMOS battery looks a little diff from desktops.