HOW TO: Reset a Dell BIOS Password ?

Customers sometimes call in to get help to reset a Dell BIOS password. Some would need a backdoor BIOS password for their desktop computers while others request help for their laptop (also known as portable computers). What many customers do not know is that this information isn’t free. Call Dell tech and you pay a small fee to get the right backdoor password for your desktop or laptop model.

But the good news is that there are other options that people can try.

Other Options Aside from Paying for It

There are other great options for Dell computer owners that won’t require them to pay for anything. In case you need to make changes to your computer’s BIOS, you can choose any of the following options: adjusting the motherboard jumper settings, remove the CMOS battery, use special software, and use an MS DOS command. Take note that not all of these options to recover a BIOS password may work for your particular type of DELL computer.

Changing the Motherboard Jumper Settings

If you call tech support to reset a Dell BIOS password they will usually make you change your jumper settings. In order to do this, you should shut down your computer and remove all the cables connected to it. Next, open the tower case and locate the CMOS jumper. It’s located near the coin battery. It is usually labeled as CLR, CLEAR CMOS, or just CLEAR.

The CMOS jumper will be connected on a three pin series. It will be joining a center pin and one pin to its side. If it connects the center pin to the pin on the right then remove the jumper and use it to connect the center to the pin on the left (or center pin and right pin if the center and left pin combination is the default setting). Keep it at that position for around two minutes and then put it back to its original setting. Close the hatch, plug all the necessary cables, and try to access the BIOS again.

Removing the CMOS Battery

If changing jumper settings sounds too complicated for you then try something that is slightly less complex; something like removing a CMOS battery. If you remember the steps for adjusting the CMOS settings, you located the jumper that is near the flat battery that’s shaped like a coin. That coin-like battery is the CMOS battery. It powers the motherboard’s CMOS memory so that all the settings on the BIOS are saved – including that insane password you forgot!

You can remove the battery using a flat screwdriver. Be careful not to hit anything else when you try to pry it out. Once you have popped it out, remember to leave the battery out for a little over two minutes and then put it back in.

Put everything back including the cables and try to access the BIOS. You’ll get an error message from the computer saying that it can’t access the saved info from the CMOS but you can now access the BIOS to make the necessary changes including a new BIOS password.

Use a Special Software Utility

There are some utility software applications that can reset the password for the BIOS. Some of these applications are free while others will cost you a little bit of money. Your computer should be up and running before you can install and use them.

Use an MS DOS Command

You can use the debug command to recover your password. All you need is to boot your computer to a command prompt. You can use a startup disk that can boot your computer to DOS mode. Type “debug” at the command prompt and then type “o 70 2E” then press enter, followed by “o 71 FF” then press enter, and followed by “quit” and then press enter.

Pay For It

In case none of these methods work, you can call tech support and ask for a backdoor password. It will cost you a good amount of money so you better write it down somewhere so you can use it next time you need to reset a Dell BIOS password.

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