How to Reset a BIOS Password
The best method for resetting a BIOS password depends on what BIOS the computer has. Common BIOSs include AMI, Award, IBM, and Phoenix. Numerous other BIOSs exist, but these are the most common.
Some BIOSs allow the user to require a password before the system will boot or before the BIOS setup may be accessed.
The general solution categories to reset a BIOS password are:
- Using a Backdoor BIOS Password
- Resetting the BIOS Password using Software
- Resetting the BIOS Password using Hardware
- Vendor Specific Solutions for resetting the BIOS Password
Using a Backdoor BIOS Password
Some BIOS manufacturers implement a backdoor password. The backdoor password is a BIOS password that works no matter what the BIOS password is set to. These passwords are typically used for testing and maintenance. Manufacturers typically change the backdoor BIOS passwords from time to time.
AMI Backdoor BIOS Passwords
Reported AMI backdoor BIOS passwords include A.M.I., AAAMMMIII, AMI?SW , AMI_SW, BIOS, CONDO, HEWITT RAND, LKWPETER, MI, and PASSWORD.
Award Backdoor BIOS Passwords
One reported Award backdoor BIOS password is eight spaces. Other reported Award backdoor BIOS passwords include 01322222, 589589, 589721, 595595, 598598 , ALFAROME, ALLY, ALLy, aLLY, aLLy, aPAf, award, AWARD PW, AWARD SW, AWARD?SW, AWARD_PW, AWARD_SW, AWKWARD, awkward, BIOSTAR, CONCAT, CONDO, Condo, condo, d8on, djonet, HLT, J256, J262, j262, j322, j332, J64, KDD, LKWPETER, Lkwpeter, PINT, pint, SER, SKY_FOX, SYXZ, syxz, TTPTHA, ZAAAADA, ZAAADA, ZBAAACA, and ZJAAADC.
Phoenix Backdoor BIOS Passwords
Reported Phoenix BIOS backdoor passwords include BIOS, CMOS, phoenix, and PHOENIX.
Backdoor BIOS Passwords from Other Manufacturers
Reported BIOS backdoor passwords for other manufacturers include:
Manufacturer BIOS Password VOBIS & IBM merlin Dell Dell Biostar Biostar Compaq Compaq Enox xo11nE Epox central Freetech Posterie IWill iwill Jetway spooml Packard Bell bell9 QDI QDI Siemens SKY_FOX SOYO SY_MB TMC BIGO Toshiba Toshiba
Remember that the passwords listed may not be the actual backdoor BIOS passwords. These backdoor BIOS passwords may simply have the same checksum as the real ones. For Award BIOS, this checksum is stored at F000:EC60.
Resetting the BIOS Password with Software
Every system must store the BIOS password information somewhere. If the user can access the machine after it has been booted successfully, he/she may be able to view the BIOS password. He/she must know the memory address where the BIOS password is stored and the format in which the BIOS password is stored or have a program that knows these things.
Users can write their own program to read the BIOS password from the CMOS memory on a PC by writing the address of the byte of CMOS memory that they wish to read in port 0×370, then reading port 0×371′s contents.
!BIOS recovers the BIOS password for most common BIOS versions, including IBM, American Megatrends Inc., Award, and Phoenix.
CmosPwd recovers the BIOS password for the following BIOS versions:
- ACER/IBM BIOS
- AMI BIOS
- AMI WinBIOS 2.5
- Award 4.5x/4.6x/6.0
- Compaq (1992)
- Compaq (New version)
- IBM (PS/2, Activa, Thinkpad)
- Packard Bell
- Phoenix 1.00.09.AC0 (1994), a486 1.03, 1.04, 1.10 A03, 4.05 rev 1.02.943, 4.06 rev 1.13.1107
- Phoenix 4 release 6 (User)
- Gateway Solo – Phoenix 4.0 release 6
- Toshiba
- Zenith AMI
Resetting the BIOS Password via Hardware
If a user cannot access the machine after it has been powered up, it is still possible to get past the BIOS password. The BIOS password is stored in CMOS memory that a small battery maintains while the PC is off, which is attached to the motherboard. If the user removes this battery, all CMOS information (including the BIOS password) will be lost. The user must re-enter the correct CMOS setup information to use the machine. The machine’s owner or user will most likely be alarmed when he/she discovers that the BIOS password has been deleted.
The battery is soldered to some motherboards, making it difficult to remove. If this is the case, there is another alternative. Somewhere on the motherboard is a jumper that will clear the BIOS password. If the user has the motherboard documentation, he/she will know where that jumper is. If not, the jumper may be labeled on the motherboard. If neither of these is the case, try guessing which jumper is the correct one. This jumper is usually standing alone near the battery. If the user cannot locate the jumper, he/she might short both of the points where the battery connects to the motherboard.
If all else fails, clear the BIOS password by resetting the RTC (Real Time Clock) IC (Integrated Circuit) on the motherboard.
Many RTCs require an external battery. If so, clear the BIOS password by removing the RTC from the socket and reseating it.
RTCs that require external batteries include:
- Dallas Semiconductor DS12885S
- TI benchmarq bq3258S
- Motorola MC146818AP
- Hitachi HD146818AP
- Samsung KS82C6818A
Most RTC chips with integrated batteries can be reset to clear the BIOS password by shorting two pins together for a few seconds.
There are a few options for some chips due to the testing that various people in the field have carried out. Remember to remove power from the system before shorting these pins.
RTC Chip Pins Dallas DS1287ATI benchmarq bp3287AMT 3 (N.C.) and 21 (NC/RCL) Chips & Technologies P82C206 12 (GND) and 32 (5V)-or-74 (GND) and 75 (5V) OPTi F82C206 3 and 26 Dallas Semiconductor DS12887A 3 (N.C.) and 21 (RCLR)
Users should be able to figure out how to reset the BIOS password stored in most RTC (Real Time Clock) chips by reading the manufacturers data sheet for that RTC. Some RTCs, like the Dallas DS1287 and TI benchmarq bq3287mt, cannot be cleared. The solution for resetting the BIOS password on systems with those RTCs is to purchase a replacement RTC chip.
Vendor Specific Solutions for Resetting the BIOS Password
Resetting a Dell BIOS Password
For information on how to recover a Dell BIOS password, please refer to How do I reset Dell BIOS password?
Resetting a Toshiba BIOS Password
KeyDisk resets the BIOS password on Toshiba laptops.
Older Toshiba laptops can boot without their power-on BIOS password if a dongle is attached to the parallel port that crosses a number of pins. The pin out is:
Pins 1-5-10 2-11 3-17 4-12 6-16 7-13 8-14 9-15
Some Toshibas can bypass the startup BIOS password if the user holds down the key while booting the system.
Resetting an IBM ThinkPad BIOS Password
For information on how to recover an IBM Thinkpad BIOS password, please refer to How do I reset an IBM ThinkPad BIOS password?
Resetting an IBM Aptiva BIOS Password
Some IBM Aptivas can bypass the startup BIOS password if both mouse buttons are pressed repeatedly while booting the system.
Resetting an Acer BIOS Password
For information on how to recover an Acer BIOS password, please refer to How do I reset an Acer BIOS password?
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I have a Dell Inspiron M5010 with Windows 7. (s/n 5T936N1) (express service code 12652695901) After kids messing around, I don’t know the user password and can’t access boot menu now because of “system password” message. I was told it was a BIOS password. I even took the cmos out for approximately 10 minutes but still the same results. Is there an administrative or backdoor password? Or what do I do? Dell didn’t offer any help? Can you please help me?
To unlock any BIOS I need the full code from your screen.
I unlock Dell,HP,Compaq,Samsung,Sony and Fujitsu computers.(Bios and HDD password).Support in English, Español, Français en Nederlands.
Just mail bushidoyes@gmail.com
Please send me an email and tell me how to reset my hp laptop password. thank you
give me solution for acer bios password
hello
My totebook is dell inspiron n5010.
service tag is:64wx5n1 and express service code is: 13357853389
and Reg.Type No:p10f001
My notebook locked.
I need system password for unlocked.
please help me.
tanks.
hello
My notebook is dell inspiron n5010.
service tag is:64wx5n1 and express service code is: 13357853389
and Reg.Type No:p10f001
My notebook locked.
I need system password for unlocked.
please help me.
tanks.
I have a dell optiplex 330 released last year 2011. I put a bios password but now I have forgotten the password. I have tried a number of options but it seems they can’t work for me. Is there any specific way in which I can be helped. Please email me on my email address.
I will be glad to here from any of you guys out there.
i have a toshiba satellite L350-184 system unit, Model no.PSLD8E-01Y00UF3. Serial no. 19191097Q.
i need to unlock the password from bios because when i switch on the my portable pc it ask me enter the current password. help me please i did everything,i use a jump, take the battery but nothibg happens.
help me please…
dell latitude 6400. need the BIOS PW and the HDD PW… thanks for anyones help….
if i do wrong password 3 times i see
system disabled
[06524]
pleas whet i can doing?
help my
hallo……pleas i need Ur help
i have HP , my win is vista
if i open my Hp notebook it ask me passport
i can’t start it never
and if i do wrong passport 3 times i see in screen
system disabled
[06524]
pleas pleas pleas help me what i can doing?
Hi Walee,
Try one of these passwords rulx , diu , iyf , or cynuvof
Post the result.
bioss password helppppppp
TAG—: #69PR32J-595B
Hi Adrino,
Try this password and post the result. 3j8cfzhm
my toshiba satellite will not start up,it says enter current password and i never set one one,please help i have no clue what to do
BIOS help MY DELL IS INSPIRON 6400
TAG: 70HQ53J-595B
my laptop is Toshiba l655-s5166x
model no. PSK1WU-005004
serial no.3B090464W
when I switch on it a black window and blue box appear and tell me I have to enter password.(BIOS PASSWORD)
I need this password
i have a laptop Sony PCG-Z1RSP but i cant go in because BIOS is locked i tried to put password for Phoenix bt i cant get it right these are password which i used
phoenix
PHOENIX
CMOS
BIOS
Hello dear i realy need your tip and i realy hope that i find it quikly you see i have a an optiplex 780 computer, i have made a mistake that i entered a bois password and now i dont remmember it so please give me some tips i realy need it now. thanks
please help,,,
I have a BLUE laptop Model; M616
when i switch on a black box appear,,,Please enter a fingerprint password,,
Hy all.I have a asus n71jv with serial number:A2N0AS188344077.Problem ia that it has a system password.I cant access anything(boot option,bios,os,cd drive etc).Can you help me please?
BIOS help MY sony IS pcg-5k7p
Jesus, help with Dell Studio BIOS password.
System disabled 09847