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 fujitsu siemens v2000 it says enter master password…i tried using [FLY_FOX] but i was unsucessful n i also tried taking out 3v battery bt still cant solve this issue can u please help me 2 reset da password.
I can generate a password but I’ll need your serial number or the code from your screen.
i have a hp mini 110 that has a system password. the code i get is
CNU939280X
Password is e91ofo7u14
Bushido
Do yo have one for A gateway p-6860fx
Phenoix bios RO1A1P
System Disabled Error
01024
S/N P248491000608
I have BIOS masterpasswords for:
• Dell (595B 2A7B)
• Sony VAIO
• Hewlett-Packard
• Hewlett-Packard / Compaq Netbooks
• Compaq
• Samsung
• Fujitsu-Siemens
• Toshiba
• Phoenix BIOS
• Insyde H20 BIOS
bushidoyes@gmail.com
Please tell me….What’s the master password of InsydeH20……..
PLEASE!!!!!!!!
how to unlock toshiba with the blue password screen
I have a fujitsu S6520 which i can get in with the USER bios password, but i really need to get rid of the Supervisor PW. here is my serial# R9610623. I hope you can help, thanks in advance
i have IBM T42 phoenix 2.0 it says enter sv…i tried using CMOS but i was unsucessful n i also tried taking out battery bt still cant solve this issue can u please help me 2 reset da SV password.
Hi, I have asus Eee Pc 1001HA . I forgot the setup password (CMOS), please advice. thanks
raja,
Any success? I also have an ASUS eee PC – older version. There’s a bios password from previous owner, but can’t access. i want to install a new OS on it.
i have a laptop hp compaq nx9010 i forgot my bios password anyone can help me to fix it i try to input all the bacdoor password but is not working…plz help me guy’s….tnx
Hi everybody,
I have Dell inspiron mini 1010 and I want to reset it’s bios password .
What should I do?
System Disabled [02807] Service TAG 6L7PTM1
Thanks
Hi Zeaya,
Do you still need the password?
softouch321@yahoo.com
hi Zeaya
your password —–adlpypq
I have a laptop : Ares 200.19 , what is the password ?
need hdd1/ssd1 user passcode for toshiba satellite please
hello . i need bios password laptop inspiron N5010
hdd:RZ532070
service tag:FT6Q4N1
service code:34416550909
thank you my mail is cry_engine@yahoo.com
05561 is the error code!!! I need help!!!!!
try thes—hfikqm
Hi all!
My Acer Aspire 5741G needs a BIOS password. What to do? HELP!!
Hola, necesito master-password para bios de notebook toshiba l45-s7423. Gracias. No puedo ingresar a la computadora. Ayúdenme por favor.
hy please help me i need a bios password of laptop toshiba satellite pro U200 mail is oklve@hotmail.com thanks
Hi.i have a Toshiba Satellite A215-S7437 with PhoenixBIOS.i seemed to have forgotten the BIOS password,and i was wondering if there is a way to bypass the password screen.ive tried to remove a small round battery to see if it would erase but it seems that it mightve been for something elseand some backdoor passwords.Any help?
by the way,the serial number is X7178564Q
can u please the bios password for my lenovo TP L420 ???
HI,
I HAVE AN IBM T60 LAPTOP WITH BIOS PASSWORD. COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME UNLOCKING IT?
REGARDS,
Hi. i need BIOS master password to a HP Compaq 6735b
serial number: CNU9152SDJ
Hi. i need BIOS master password to a HP Compaq 6735b
serial number: CNU9152SDJ
pls I need system password for dell latitude E5500 service tag# 8F2B94J-2A7B
need bios A09 fixed for dell latitude E5500 # 8F2B94J-2A7B