The Hindu Business Line : Some help with the password

I recently bought a computer and disabled the floppy option from the BIOS setup to safeguard the system against virus attacks. Now I need to activate the floppy, but I don't remember the password as that is stored in the BIOS. Pease suggest a solution. The system operates on Windows 98.

Vishal

There are three approaches to your problem. When you clear the CMOS memory contents it not only clears the password but all the other settings will also be reset to the factory default settings. The system will show the message "CMOS checksum invalid" or "loading default values". So when you are booting for the first time after a BIOS reset, you should enter the BIOS and reconfigure the BIOS settings. Here's how you can do it:

You may clear the BIOS settings by changing the jumper or Dipswitch settings on the motherboard. Please refer to your motherboard manual to make changes on BIOS configuration jumper settings. Always turn off the power and unplug the power cord from the system before changing the jumper settings. In some cases, there are three pins and you need to remove the jumper from 1-2 position, connect it to 2-3 position for just few minutes and then replace the jumper to the original position of 1-2. If your motherboard doesn't have a jumper (auto jumper) board then it is very simple to clear BIOS contents without opening the system cabinet. Just hold down a key while switching on the system. This will clear the CMOS contents. In some cases holding the "F" key when the power is being switched on clears the CMOS data.

The BIOS Password is stored in CMOS memory that is maintained while the PC is switched off by a small battery that is attached to the motherboard. It looks like a flat round wristwatch or calculator battery in a holder. Please remove the battery by pressing the retaining clip with a flat-headed screwdriver and lift the battery from the battery holder for at least 20 minutes allowing the computer to lose its information and insert it again in its battery holder.

You may use some password recovery tool to clear CMOS memory. One of the software utilities available is CmosPwd. You can download this from the following URL: http://www.cgsecurity.org

To clear BIOS settings, please start a DOS session in Windows 98 and type CMOSPWD /K. Please take a look at the `readme' file before using cmospwd software.

Solution by M. Sampath

Please e-mail us at eworld@thehindu.co.in if you have queries on computer usage or if you find an interesting way of using a computer.

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