Bios setup- and master passwords

BIOS Master- and Setup-Passwords

Delete BIOS-Passwords on PC-Mainboards
Delete BIOS-Passwords on Notebooks
BIOS-Setup-Password via Software
BIOS Master-Passwords
Delete BIOS-Boot Password
Delete BIOS-Setup Password
Keystrokes to Enter the BIOS-Setup

Clear the CMOS of your PC-Mainboard if you want to reset the BIOS-Boot password or BIOS-Setup password:

CMOS-Reset instructions for PC-Mainboards and Notebooks
Delete BIOS-Boot Password
Delete BIOS-Setup Password

Don't clear the CMOS of your Notebook, because it will not reset any BIOS-Boot password or BIOS-Setup password! Notebooks have better theft protections like an additional (tiny, hidden) IC-integrated module that contains the password. Some manufacturers store the password on a hidden hard disk sector. So, the only solution is a direct contact to the manufacturer's support, where they proof that you are the legal owner of the notebook. Depending on the manufacturer, you have to send him the serial number of the notebook and you'll get (in many cases free of charge) an individual master password to unlock the notebook. Some other manufacturers even offer only the replacement of the notebook's mainboard - which will be really expensive!

You can download the free, small program ctbios15.zip from the german Computermagazine c't. Ctbios shows the password and some other interesting things about your BIOS. (great tip!)

Lost your BIOS-Setup password or BIOS-Boot password? You can try one of the following Master passwords:

If you have forgotten your BIOS Boot-Password, have a look into your mainboard manual, or after opening your PC, onto your mainboard. Many mainboards have a JUMPER or SWITCH to clear the CMOS. This Jumper is often named like: "RTC_CLEAR" , "CLEAR CMOS" , "CLRCMOS" , "CLRCMS". His position is often near by the mainboard battery.

Attention: All hardware settings (harddisk-, bootsequence,-...settings) will be deleted! At least, you have to re-insert them again.

See: CMOS-Reset instructions for PC-Mainboards and Notebooks

If you can't enter the Setup of your BIOS, you need a DOS-Bootdisk and one of the following MS-DOS Files:

Start the file an insert the sourcecode line by line.

Different keystrokes to enter the BIOS-Setup: