Desktop

• 1). Remove all the cables from the back of the desktop, including the power cord.
  
  Turn the computer so the back is facing you. Remove the screws from the
  
  right-side panel and slide the panel back toward you.
  
  
• 2). Lay the computer down so the motherboard (circuit board) lays flat on the
  
  work surface. Look for the CMOS battery. This is a small battery that
  
  looks like a watch battery and sits on the motherboard. Its location
  
  will vary depending on the motherboard. It is a small disc-like battery
  
  about the size of a quarter or nickel. Gently remove the battery by
  
  using the flat edge of a precision flat-blade screwdriver. Allow the
  
  battery to sit out of the motherboard for about 10 minutes and reinsert
  
  it. Replace the computer panel and reconnect the cables. Turn the
  
  computer on and enter the BIOS screen, by pressing "F2" or the key
  
  specified on startup. If the password prompt is gone, do not continue to
  
  the next Step.
  
  
• 3). Disconnect all the cables and turn the computer around so the back is facing you again. Unscrew the right-side panel and slide it back off the computer.
  
  Locate two pins called "CMOS" or "Clear Password." These are usually
  
  located near the power pins or the CMOS battery and are labeled as such.
  
  You may need a magnifying glass to read the label. Move the jumper
  
  (small plastic cap) on the next two pins onto the CMOS or Clear Password
  
  pins. Reconnect the computer to the power and video cables without
  
  replacing the panel. Turn on the power button and expect the computer to
  
  remain off. You should not hear the fans, and everything should be
  
  completely dead. Repress the power button and disconnect the cables.
  
  Take the jumper off and replace it on the pins you took it from.
  
  Reconnect the computer and close the side panel. Turn on the computer
  
  and the password prompt will be removed.
  
  
• 4). Enter a default password if Step 3 did not work. Identify your BIOS
  
  manufacturer. Use award, award pw or alfarome, if you have an Award
  
  BIOS. Use BIOS, CMOS or phoenix if your the machine has a Phoenix BIOS.
  
  Restart the computer and the password prompt should be removed or set to
  
  default, which is blank.
  
  
• 5). Download a BIOS recovery software utility (see Resources), but be aware that
  
  these programs can sometime lock the motherboard so it cannot be used
  
  again. Install the program and click on the remove BIOS password option
  
  first. Wait to see if the program can remove the password. Click on the
  
  default passwords option and wait for the program to offer a list of
  
  possible passwords. Type these in one a time until the BIOS unlocks.
  
  Click on the retrieve password option as a last resort. Wait for the
  
  program to give you the password. Type in the password and restart the
  
  computer. The password prompt should be gone.
  
  

Laptops

• 1). Turn on the computer and enter the BIOS by pressing the "F2" key or
  
  whichever "F" (function) key is specified on the black startup screen.
  
  
• 2). Write down the BIOS manufacturer listed at the top of the screen. Check to
  
  see if there is an option within the BIOS to "reset to factory defaults." Use the arrow keys to move to this option and follow the screen directions to select the option. Exit the BIOS screen by pressing the key specified in the BIOS (in most cases this is the "esc" key.) Restart the laptop and enter BIOS to see if the password prompt is gone.
  
  
• 3). Remove all the power to the BIOS. Remove the battery and power cord and allow the computer to sit overnight without any power source. Reattach the power cord and battery and check to see if the BIOS password prompt is gone.
  
  
• 4). Try the BIOS default passwords available for the BIOS manufacturer on your computer (see Resources).
  
  
• 5). Download and install a BIOS password recovery software utility and install it. Locate the option to remove the password and follow the on-screen instructions. If the program cannot remove the password, use the default passwords listed for your BIOS manufacturer. Locate the retrieve password option, but use as a last resort.