How do I reset a Dell BIOS password?
Dell Dimension BIOS Password Recovery
The BIOS password may be cleared from a Dell Dimension by moving the password jumper on the motherboard.
The location of the password jumper on a Dell Dimension motherboard can be found by reviewing the Dimension User Guides.
For most Dell Dimension desktops, the steps to reset a BIOS password and clear all CMOS settings are:
- Locate the 3-pin CMOS password reset jumper on the system board.
- Remove the jumper plug from pins 1 and 2.
- Place the jumper plug on pins 2 and 3 and wait approximately 5 seconds.
- Replace the jumper plug on pins 1 and 2.
Dell Optiplex BIOS Password Recovery
The BIOS password may be cleared from a Dell Optiplex by removing the password jumper (PSWD) from the motherboard.
The location of the password jumper on a Dell Optiplex motherboard can be found by reviewing the Optiplex User Guides.
For most Dell Optiplex desktops, the steps to reset a BIOS password and clear all CMOS settings are:
- Locate the 3-pin CMOS password reset jumper on the system board.
- Remove the jumper plug from pins 1 and 2.
- Place the jumper plug on pins 2 and 3 and wait approximately 5 seconds.
- Replace the jumper plug on pins 1 and 2.
Dell Inspiron BIOS Password Recovery
Each Dell Inspiron has a master password which will clear the BIOS password. You can get this number by calling Dell Technical Support at (800)624-9896.
Dell Technical Support will request the Service Tag and Express Service Code from the bottom of your Inspiron.
If you were not the original owner of the Inspiron, Dell will transfer registration of the used Inspiron from the original owner with only the Service Tag and Express Service Code from the tag on the laptop.
To transfer the registration of a used Dell Inspiron, fill out the Transfer of Ownership form on Dell's web site.
Dell Latitude BIOS Password Recovery
Christophe Grenier has written a program that will calculate the master BIOS password for Dell Latitudes from the Service Tag number. That program is available at http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~skynet/zips/latitude.exe.
If you cannot boot your Latitude to run this program, you can get the master password for your Dell by calling Dell Technical Support at (800)624-9896.
Dell Technical Support will request the Service Tag and Express Service Code from the bottom of your Latitude.
If you were not the original owner of the Latitude, Dell will transfer registration of the used Latitude from the original owner with only the Service Tag and Express Service Code from the tag on the laptop.
To transfer the registration of a used Dell Latitude, fill out the Transfer of Ownership form on Dell's web site.
Purchase these excellent books on PC hardware at Amazon.com
