Bios password problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter jimbo
  • Start date Start date
J

jimbo

I'm trying to run a repair installation on my XP HE machine, but the XP CD
is not booting from the CD-ROM drive. When I try to access the BIOS, to
change the boot order, I'm asked for a password. I've no idea what it is,
and the guy that built the machine has left town. I also do not get the "to
boot from CD press any key" option on screen.

Is there anywhere in the registry or somewhere that would reveal the
password? Or is there another way of getting the machine to boot from the
CD?

Thanks very much indeed.
 
jimbo said:
I'm trying to run a repair installation on my XP HE machine, but the XP CD
is not booting from the CD-ROM drive. When I try to access the BIOS, to
change the boot order, I'm asked for a password. I've no idea what it is,
and the guy that built the machine has left town. I also do not get the "to
boot from CD press any key" option on screen.

Is there anywhere in the registry or somewhere that would reveal the
password? Or is there another way of getting the machine to boot from the
CD?

Thanks very much indeed.
Click to expand...
This wouldn't be a registry problem. The password is asked for before
the system even sees your hard drive.

I would recommend you take your system to a professional because the fix
will erase a bunch of changes in your BIOS that you may not know how to fix.

But if you are the lucky type:

With the power off, open your case. You need to find a jumper that will
reset your BIOS. It is usually right next to the battery. The plan is to
set the jumper, power up the machnie, power it right back down, then
set the jumper back.

This will reset your password back to off. Unfortunately, it will also
reset everything else. Any special settings you may have had in the BIOS
will be gone. This includes the speed of the processor, the settings for
the video card, and the input/output settings.

Again, I recommend you take this to a professional.

HTH

Courtney
 
Courtney said:
This wouldn't be a registry problem. The password is asked for before
the system even sees your hard drive.

I would recommend you take your system to a professional because the fix
will erase a bunch of changes in your BIOS that you may not know how to fix.

But if you are the lucky type:

With the power off, open your case. You need to find a jumper that will
reset your BIOS. It is usually right next to the battery. The plan is to
set the jumper, power up the machnie, power it right back down, then
set the jumper back.

This will reset your password back to off. Unfortunately, it will also
reset everything else. Any special settings you may have had in the BIOS
will be gone. This includes the speed of the processor, the settings for
the video card, and the input/output settings.

Again, I recommend you take this to a professional.

HTH

Courtney
Click to expand...

Jeez... thank you. Do you think making Windows set up disks, as described
here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...68-6e4f-471c-b455-bd5afee126d8&displaylang=en

.... would at least let me get to the CD to do the repair installation?

Thank you again,
Jim
 
No, the BIOS issue is before the operating system is installed.
In fact you do not need an operating system or even a hard drive for
this issue.
You need to resolve the BIOS issue directly.
 
Hi Courtney,
Am I hearing you correctly when you recommend moving the jumper, then
rebooting, and then shutting down, moving the jumper back, and rebooting? My
MB manual says to briefly "Short" the pins with the power off, and then
return to correct pins, and then reboot. Won't your suggested method
possibly cause damage?

Willie
 
I have simply removed the lithium battery (if you have
the "pen light" or "watch battery" type) to get past the
BIOS password issue. Granted this was with older Pentium
II's, etc...
-----Original Message-----
No, the BIOS issue is before the operating system is installed.
In fact you do not need an operating system or even a hard drive for
this issue.
You need to resolve the BIOS issue directly.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


machine, but
the XP
CD
Click to expand...
to access the
BIOS, to I've no idea
what it
is,
Click to expand...
also do not
get the
"to
Click to expand...
would reveal
the machine to
boot from
the
Click to expand...
asked for
before professional because
the fix may not know
how to
fix.
Click to expand...
a jumper that
will battery. The plan
is to right back down,
then Unfortunately, it will
also have had in
the BIOS processor, the
settings for
Jeez... thank you. Do you think making Windows set up
Click to expand...
disks, as
described
here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?
Click to expand...
FamilyID=e8fe6868-6e4f-471c-b455-
bd5afee126d8&displaylang=en
... would at least let me get to the CD to do the repair installation?

Thank you again,
Jim
Click to expand...


.
Click to expand...
 
Greetings --

The operating system is immaterial. Only you know what
motherboard and BIOS you have, so only you know the answer to your
question. ;-}

In the extremely unlikely event that your PC's manual or the
motherboard manufacturer's web site don't contain the needed
information, try one or more of the following:

How do I access my computer's setup (BIOS)
http://www.iomega.com/support/documents/2157.html

Wim's BIOS Page
http://www.wimsbios.com/

Accessing Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH
 
Back
Top