How to Bypass Forgotten BIOS Password

If you have created a BIOS password for your PC/Laptop and forgot it, you may have to send it back to the manufacturer. Don’t worry, there are still several methods you can use to bypass or unlock the BIOS password.

The BIOS password serves as a form of authentication that may be required in some cases to gain access to the computer’s BIOS before the system boots. Basic Input Output System (BIOS) refers to a software program that a computer’s microprocessor uses to manage the primary boot order and hardware initialization.

BIOS passwords are stored in Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) memory, under academic writing conventions. In some computer systems, a small battery installed on the motherboard serves to maintain memory function during computer shutdown.

BIOS password enforcement can provide an additional layer of security for computer and laptop devices. The purpose of this mechanism is to prevent the user from changing BIOS settings or prevent the PC from booting in the absence of a password.

Unfortunately, BIOS passwords can be a potential danger if users forget their passwords or change them with the intent to deny access. Returning a computer unit to the manufacturer to reset the BIOS can be expensive and generally not covered under warranty.

Not to worry, Bardimin will provide several methods to overcome this situation. There are several documented loopholes and techniques that can effectively overwrite or restore BIOS. Read more in the following sections.

 BIOS Password Bypass Method

Before attempting to bypass the BIOS password on a computer, we recommend contacting the hardware manufacturer’s customer support service for advice on techniques for bypassing official BIOS security.

If the manufacturer is unable or unwilling to assist, several techniques can be used to bypass or reset the BIOS password. You can try the following techniques to bypass the BIOS password:

1. Use the manufacturer’s backdoor password to access the BIOS.
2. Reset the CMOS using jumpers.
3. Remove the CMOS battery for at least 10 minutes.
4. Overburdens the keyboard buffer.
5. Using password cracking software.
6. Connect specific solder pads on CMOS.
7. Using professional services.

Note that BIOS passwords generally do not protect the drive. Therefore, if you need to retrieve data, you can remove the hard drive from the computer and replace it in the same system or configure it as a secondary drive in an already working computer.

Some laptops restrict access to the hard drive when the supervisor password is enabled. If you reset your supervisor’s password but don’t reset your hard drive, you won’t be able to retrieve data stored on the drive.

1] Use the manufacturer’s backdoor password to access the BIOS.

Some BIOSs provide a secret password that can be used to access BIOS configuration settings if the original password is forgotten. It’s important to note that these passwords are case-sensitive, so you may want to experiment with different combinations.

It is important to note that the symbol represented by the “underline” key on US keyboards can be represented by different symbols, such as the “question mark” on certain European keyboards. Branded laptops usually have stronger BIOS security measures than desktop systems, and to our knowledge, no backdoor passwords can be used on these laptops.

If the wrong password is entered more than three times, certain BIOS configurations can make the system inaccessible. Be sure to consult the manufacturer’s manual for BIOS configuration instructions before entering your password.

BIOS Award backdoor password:

ALFAROME ALLy aLLy aLLY ALLY aPAf _award AWARD_SW AWARD?SW AWARD SW AWARD PW AWKWARD awkward BIOSTAR CONCAT CONDO Condo d8on djonet HLT J64 J256 J262 j332 j322 KDD Lkwpeter LKWPETER PINT pint SER SKY_FOX SYXZ syxz shift + syxz TTPTHA ZAAADA ZBAAACA ZJAAADC 01322222

589589 589721 595595 598598

AMI BIOS backdoor password:

AMI AAAMMMIII BIOS PASSWORD HEWITT RAND AMI?SW AMI_SW LKWPETER A.M.I. CONDO

PHOENIX BIOS backdoor password:

PHOENIX, PHOENIX, CMOS, BIOS

Widely used BIOS backdoor passwords:

ALFAROME BIOSTAR biostar biosstar CMOS cmos LKWPETER lkwpeter setup SETUP Syxz Wodj

BIOS passwords by manufacturer

BIOS TOSHIBA

Most Toshiba laptops and some desktop systems will bypass the BIOS password if the left shift key is pressed during boot

IBM APTIVA BIOS

Press both mouse buttons repeatedly during the boot

2] Reset the CMOS using the jumper.

Many motherboards have a series of jumpers or dip switches that can be used to clear CMOS and personalized settings, such as BIOS passwords. The jumper/dipswitch location may vary depending on the motherboard manufacturer, so it is highly recommended that you consult the documentation provided by the computer or motherboard manufacturer.

If there is no documentation, jumpers or dip switches may be located on the edge of the motherboard, near the CMOS battery, or the processor. Manufacturers often use various labels such as CLEAR, CLEAR CMOS, CLR, CLRPWD, PASSWD, PASSWORD, or PWD to identify jumpers/dipswitches. The dip switch is usually located under the keyboard or, on laptops, in the compartment under the laptop.

Before attempting to touch the motherboard, be sure to unplug your computer and use grounding strips. After you find and adjust the jumper switch, turn on the computer to see if the password has been reset. If so, turn off the computer and reset the jumper or dipswitch.

3] Remove the CMOS battery for at least 10 minutes.

A small battery plugs into the motherboard to provide power for CMOS settings on most computer systems. The shape resembles a small battery found on a watch. Resetting the CMOS can be done by removing the battery for 10-15 minutes, the password will return to the default settings (blank password).

In some cases, manufacturers use capacitors to store power for CMOS chipsets. If your initial reset attempt fails, leave the system unconnected and remove the battery for at least 24 hours.

On some motherboards, the battery is soldered directly to the motherboard. If you are inexperienced, do not attempt to remove the battery solder as it may damage the motherboard and its components.

It should be noted that using the technique of removing the battery to reset CMOS may not be effective on every computer. In addition, most modern laptops store their BIOS passwords in a way that requires no power, so removing the CMOS battery may not be effective.

If you successfully reset the BIOS password but cannot reset the hard drive password, you may still have problems accessing the drive. The drive will remain locked even if you try to use it on another laptop. To reboot the IBM Thinkpad, you must use a unique jumper switch located on the motherboard.

4] Overloading the keyboard buffer.

In certain cases with older computers, CMOS setup screen initiation during boot can be triggered by overloading the keyboard buffer. A workaround is to start the boot process with keyboard or mouse peripherals disconnected from the system. Alternatively, on some systems, pressing the ESC button more than a hundred times in a row can give the desired result.

5] Using BIOS password cracking software.

The software can crack or reset the BIOS on various chipsets. Since this tool is not provided by the manufacturer, it is recommended to be careful and personally responsible when using it.

• Cmos password recovery tools
• ! BIOS
• RemPass
• KILLCMOS

6] Connect specific solder pads on CMOS.

CMOS reset can be performed by connecting or skipping over specific solder pads on the chipset. The variety of chipsets available presents a challenge in identifying specific points to bridge on each chipset.

In addition, the placement of solder beads can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so it is advisable to consult the documentation of your computer and motherboard to find out the exact specifications.

This particular approach is not intended for beginners and should only be used as a last resort. Do not use this method, if you do not understand it well because it risks damaging the motherboard.

7] Using professional services.

If the manufacturer of a laptop or desktop PC cannot or is unwilling to perform a BIOS password reset, using a professional service remains a viable option. Use the services of a trusted and experienced service in handling cases like this.