The basic input/output system, or BIOS, is a program that acts as a digital liaison, managing communications between peripherals and the operating system.
Because the BIOS is critical to the operation of a PC, some computer manufacturers and workplaces employ a password for security.
If the password is lost or has been reset through electrostatic discharge, it would be impossible to guess without the aid of computer forensics.
Sometimes you can gain access to the BIOS through the keyboard, depending on the computer, but typically the solution is mechanical.
Contact your computer manufacturer. All computer manufacturers have websites with technical support available. 1 Have your computer model number and serial number ready. If the manufacturer is unable to help locate a password, standard back-door passwords may help.
2
So-called back-door passwords may help you access the BIOS. Try using the following back-door passwords to access the BIOS: phoenix, PHOENIX, CMOS, BIOS. BIOS passwords are case sensitive.
3 Contact the motherboard's manufacturer if the back-door passwords failed. Find the motherboard's website for technical support. You will need to open the computer case if you do not know the motherboard brand. 4 Electrostatic discharge can reset a BIOS password. Shutdown and unplug the computer. Unplug the monitor and all peripherals from the PC, including speakers and USB devices.
Ground yourself by wearing an antistatic wristband clipped to the metal case, or touch something metal before you open the case. Use the screwdriver to loosen and remove the screws from the case. Look for the motherboard, the largest circuit board inside, attached to one side of the case. 5
Printing on a motherboard can be hard to see without a magnifying glass. Examine the motherboard for a brand name.
A good place to start searching is near the processor, the large square box on the motherboard. A flashlight and magnifying glass are especially useful for a clear view of the motherboard. The brand name could be printed anywhere or, sometimes, not at all. 6 The motherboard battery is round and fairly flat. Locate the CMOS battery while you have the case open.
If contacting the motherboard manufacturer failed, you will have to remove the battery. The battery is circular, about the size of a dime, but as thick as two to three stacked dimes.
Do not disconnect or remove anything yet. Removing the CMOS Battery
7 Note the location of any cables that need to be disconnected. Use the digital camera to take pictures of the motherboard, or sketch the location of cables and connectors. f any components or cables need to be moved or unplugged to reach the battery, you want to remember their exact location. 8 Leave the battery out for at least 20 minutes. Remove the CMOS battery carefully so as not to snap or break the clamps. Leave the battery out for 20 to 25 minutes to allow the capacitors to completely discharge any memory. Avoid touching anything else in the computer. 9 Tighten the case screws when done. Return the battery to the motherboard, and reconnect any cables that were disconnected in the case. Close the computer case and tighten the screws. 10 Look for the setup message on the monitor. Turn on the computer and closely watch the monitor for the "Entering Setup" message that appears before Windows starts.
The message will tell you which key to press to enter the BIOS setup. You may need to reboot a few times to see the message, as it appears on the screen for just a few seconds. 11 Carefully read the settings information on the monitor. Follow the directions on the monitor for changing the date, boot sequence, and any other settings.
Work slowly and read the screen directions thoroughly. Be alert and cautious.
Once the settings are saved, the system will start, and the password will have been removed. http://www.computerhope.com/help/phoenix.htm Phoenix BIOS help and simulation
Reset a Phoenix BIOS Password
The Phoenix BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a simple program that resides on the CMOS ROM (Read Only Memory) chip on a computer system's motherboard.
There are a couple of major BIOS manufacturers, including Phoenix. Each BIOS contains a set of initial parameters that can be set using a simple text interface.
A security feature is built into the program that allows the computer user to set a password for the BIOS.
When activated, the computer will not complete the booting up process until the password is entered. If the password is unknown, then it must be reset in order to gain access to the computer. WARNING: Before you start troubleshooting remember that you are dealing with electricity that can KILL. http://www.kitchentablecomputers.com/static.php - rules
· Turn off the computer and unplug all cables from the back of the case, labeling each one if it isn't color coded. This must include the power cable, which should also be unplugged from the wall or power strip. ·2
Open the computer case by removing the screws on the back that hold the side panel on the frame. Some systems will use thumb screws and no tools will be required. However, most computer systems will require the use of a Phillips head screwdriver. ·3
Locate the CMOS battery. It will be located near the CMOS chip and looks like a large watch battery (see the link below). http://www.dewassoc.com/support/bios/bios_password.htm
Check to see if there is a three-pin jumper switch near the CMOS battery as well.
It is only present on some motherboards and will be used in step 4 if it is there. ·4
Remove the CMOS battery. Leave the battery out for 30 minutes to allow any residual electricity in the CMOS ROM to discharge.
This will effectively reset all settings in the CMOS to default values and clear the password.
If the three-pin jumper is present, leave the CMOS battery in place. Move the jumper on the pins from the side it is on to the opposite pins.
Then attach the power cord and reboot the system.
It will not boot up but actually clear the CMOS settings.
Remove the power cord and move the jumper back to its original pins. ·5
Re-attach the computer system cover and replace the screws holding it in place.
Re-attach all of the cables to the back of the computer and reboot. Your Phoenix BIOS password is now reset and you will be able to boot into your operating system.
You may need to re-enter the CMOS settings if it doesn't recognize all of your components such as expanded memory or DVD drives, etc.
Answers & Comments
Locate Phoenix BIOS Passwords
The basic input/output system, or BIOS, is a program that acts as a digital liaison, managing communications between peripherals and the operating system.
Because the BIOS is critical to the operation of a PC, some computer manufacturers and workplaces employ a password for security.
If the password is lost or has been reset through electrostatic discharge, it would be impossible to guess without the aid of computer forensics.
Sometimes you can gain access to the BIOS through the keyboard, depending on the computer, but typically the solution is mechanical.
Contact your computer manufacturer.
All computer manufacturers have websites with technical support available.
1
Have your computer model number and serial number ready.
If the manufacturer is unable to help locate a password, standard back-door passwords may help.
2
So-called back-door passwords may help you access the BIOS. Try using the following back-door passwords to access the BIOS: phoenix, PHOENIX, CMOS, BIOS. BIOS passwords are case sensitive.
3 Contact the motherboard's manufacturer if the back-door passwords failed.
Find the motherboard's website for technical support.
You will need to open the computer case if you do not know the motherboard brand.
4
Electrostatic discharge can reset a BIOS password.
Shutdown and unplug the computer.
Unplug the monitor and all peripherals from the PC, including speakers and USB devices.
Ground yourself by wearing an antistatic wristband clipped to the metal case, or touch something metal before you open the case.
Use the screwdriver to loosen and remove the screws from the case. Look for the motherboard, the largest circuit board inside, attached to one side of the case.
5
Printing on a motherboard can be hard to see without a magnifying glass. Examine the motherboard for a brand name.
A good place to start searching is near the processor, the large square box on the motherboard. A flashlight and magnifying glass are especially useful for a clear view of the motherboard.
The brand name could be printed anywhere or, sometimes, not at all.
6
The motherboard battery is round and fairly flat. Locate the CMOS battery while you have the case open.
If contacting the motherboard manufacturer failed, you will have to remove the battery.
The battery is circular, about the size of a dime, but as thick as two to three stacked dimes.
Do not disconnect or remove anything yet. Removing the CMOS Battery
7
Note the location of any cables that need to be disconnected. Use the digital camera to take pictures of the motherboard, or sketch the location of cables and connectors.
f any components or cables need to be moved or unplugged to reach the battery, you want to remember their exact location.
8
Leave the battery out for at least 20 minutes. Remove the CMOS battery carefully so as not to snap or break the clamps.
Leave the battery out for 20 to 25 minutes to allow the capacitors to completely discharge any memory. Avoid touching anything else in the computer.
9
Tighten the case screws when done. Return the battery to the motherboard, and reconnect any cables that were disconnected in the case. Close the computer case and tighten the screws.
10
Look for the setup message on the monitor. Turn on the computer and closely watch the monitor for the "Entering Setup" message that appears before Windows starts.
The message will tell you which key to press to enter the BIOS setup.
You may need to reboot a few times to see the message, as it appears on the screen for just a few seconds.
11
Carefully read the settings information on the monitor. Follow the directions on the monitor for changing the date, boot sequence, and any other settings.
Work slowly and read the screen directions thoroughly.
Be alert and cautious.
Once the settings are saved, the system will start, and the password will have been removed.
http://www.computerhope.com/help/phoenix.htm
Phoenix BIOS help and simulation
Reset a Phoenix BIOS Password
The Phoenix BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a simple program that resides on the CMOS ROM (Read Only Memory) chip on a computer system's motherboard.
There are a couple of major BIOS manufacturers, including Phoenix. Each BIOS contains a set of initial parameters that can be set using a simple text interface.
A security feature is built into the program that allows the computer user to set a password for the BIOS.
When activated, the computer will not complete the booting up process until the password is entered. If the password is unknown, then it must be reset in order to gain access to the computer.
WARNING: Before you start troubleshooting remember that you are dealing with electricity that can KILL.
http://www.kitchentablecomputers.com/static.php - rules
·
Turn off the computer and unplug all cables from the back of the case, labeling each one if it isn't color coded. This must include the power cable, which should also be unplugged from the wall or power strip.
·2
Open the computer case by removing the screws on the back that hold the side panel on the frame.
Some systems will use thumb screws and no tools will be required.
However, most computer systems will require the use of a Phillips head screwdriver.
·3
Locate the CMOS battery.
It will be located near the CMOS chip and looks like a large watch battery (see the link below).
http://www.dewassoc.com/support/bios/bios_password.htm
Check to see if there is a three-pin jumper switch near the CMOS battery as well.
It is only present on some motherboards and will be used in step 4 if it is there.
·4
Remove the CMOS battery.
Leave the battery out for 30 minutes to allow any residual electricity in the CMOS ROM to discharge.
This will effectively reset all settings in the CMOS to default values and clear the password.
If the three-pin jumper is present, leave the CMOS battery in place.
Move the jumper on the pins from the side it is on to the opposite pins.
Then attach the power cord and reboot the system.
It will not boot up but actually clear the CMOS settings.
Remove the power cord and move the jumper back to its original pins. ·5
Re-attach the computer system cover and replace the screws holding it in place.
Re-attach all of the cables to the back of the computer and reboot.
Your Phoenix BIOS password is now reset and you will be able to boot into your operating system.
You may need to re-enter the CMOS settings if it doesn't recognize all of your components such as expanded memory or DVD drives, etc.