BIOS password protected

[ujoni08]

I have a Holly PC. I want to check/tweak my BIOS settings, but it's password protected. I tried to contact Holly, but they've vanished (probably ceased trading). Question: does anyone know what password they would have used (any ex-emplyees out there?). Alterantively, is there any way to get into the BIOS another way, or re-set the password?
Jon.

 

[electronicsfreak]

If the computer is not under warranty, open up the case, pull the battery out and wait 15 minutes. This will completely reset the bios. If the computer is under warranty do not open it as this will void it.

 

[TamedTech]

There is also a bunch of freeware on the net for cracking a BIOS password, just stick it through google.

I'm sure i remember reading somewhere that you can take the battery out, but instead of of waiting 15 mins just stick it in upside down straight away it will wipe the BIOS, i maybe wrong on that one so doint quote me on it.

Rob

 

[wolluf]

there should also be a jumper on the mobo for clearing the cmos - but the battery removal should work.

 

[PalmTest]

The (freeware) tool "Kill CMOS" will do the trick.

http://www.google.nl/search?hl=nl&q=killcmos&meta=

As the name suggests, it kills all settings, including Passwords, and sets the CMOS back to factory state.
When downloading the tool, your Virusscanner will jump into action abouot this tool.

 

[ujoni08]

Thanks for the replies. Just a quick question from someone who's never ventured into the BIOS: after I've taken the battery out or used 'kill CMOS', will the PC still boot up etc? In other words, will there be factory settings left, which will operate normally. Is it just a matter of then tweaking settings as per PCWorld magazine's article, etc?
Thanks.

 

[jurgen36]

Yes the bios should go into failsafe settings, then you can tweak the cmoss to whatever you need.
Regards

Jurgen

 

[PalmTest]

When you use "Kill CMOS" all the CMOS settings are gone, included the BIOSPasswords. The Motherboard and BIOS will act as if they were just shipped from the factory.
The PC will boot up just fine, but when you have special HD's installed (legacy), or other specific hardware, you have to rediscover the specific settings.
Just walk throug all the different BIOS pages to look if anything can be altered at your advantage. (at least now you can change these BIOS settings ;-D)

 

[ujoni08]

Thanks everyone. I took the battery out and it worked. I just set up the BIOS for quick POST, disabled the floppy drive (I don't have one) and disabled 'boot up floppy seek'. My PC is a lot faster now. I also got rid of Norton Internet Security 2006 and installed AVG free. Norton's ccapp.exe is a killer: I'm so glad it's gone!
Jon.