On the computer
motherboard locate the BIOS clear / password
jumper or dipswitch and change its position.
This jumper is often labeled CLEAR, CLEAR CMOS, JCMOS1, CLR, CLRPWD, PASSWD, PASSWORD,
PSWD or PWD. To change the jumper
remove it from the two pins its currently on so that it covers the pin that is
not covered. For example, in the picture to the right pins 1 and 2 are covered,
you'd remove the jumper and put it on pins 2 and 3.
Once this jumper has been changed, turn on the computer
and the password should be cleared. Once cleared, turn the computer off
and return the jumper or dipswitch to its original position.
The location of the jumpers or dipswitches are dependent on the
manufacturer of the computer and motherboard. However, below are some general
ideas on where to find it. Remember that most motherboards could have dozens of
different jumpers, make sure you're changing the CMOS jumper and not something
else. If these general suggestions do not help refer to your motherboard /
computer documentation or skip to the next step.
- On the edge of the motherboard - Most jumpers are
located on the side of the motherboard for easy accessibility, verify by
looking at all visible edges of the motherboard.
- By the CMOS battery - Some manufactures will place the jumper to clear the CMOS / BIOS password by the actual CMOS battery.
- By the processor
- Some manufactures will place the jumpers by the processor of the computer.
- Under the keyboard or bottom of laptop - If you are working on a laptop computer
the location of the dipswitch (almost never a jumper) can be under the
keyboard or on the bottom of the laptop in a compartment such as the
memory compartment.
- Other visible location - While it is
possible that the jumpers / dipswitches may not be in a visible
location, most manufactures try to make things easier by placing the
jumpers / dipswitches in another visible location.
