Resetting setup password in BIOS

[Sam443]

I bought a second-hand box (Dell Optiplex 166) from our hardware shop at work. I put in an old 1.2Gb Quantum HD and want to tell the BIOS it's there, but the password is enabled. Hardware shop says they don't put passwords on the setup so they don't know what it is. How can I reset the password? I thought removing the battery from the motherboard would work, but it didn't.

 

[Haircut]

If you have the manual there have a look for a jumper that will reset the password.
If it is an award BIOS then you can use the password AWARD_SW which will let you into the BIOS and reset the password.

 

[Ladi]

If you can't find the jumper, take the battery out of the mobo for at least a few hours (overnight is nice, weekend is even better).

~Ladi

 

[ThurzNite]

Hey Ladi, do you remember about a month ago someone had their dad pass away and only he knew the pw? Somebody mentioned to take out the battery and then connect the pos and neg terminals where the battery goes. That would completely drain the juice and he was up in no time. I remember him saying that he left the battery out for a few days and it didn't clear, so he tried this way, essentially shorting/completing the circuit and it worked.
Jay

 

[ThurzNite]

Found the link. Kinda long, but it's here. http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=212232

 

[ElKevbo]

Removing the battery and using a screwdriver to connect the pos and neg terminals where the battery was always works for me. If you don't know the password then you probably don't have the motherboard manual handy to find the right jumper. 🙁

 

[Sam443]

Thanks for help, Haircut, Ladi, ThurzNite and ElKevbo

 

[ThurzNite]

No prob. Last night I was gonna install a new mobo. I didn't wanna mess w/any previous settings so I popped out the battery and touched the 2 terminals w/a screwdriver. DANG!!! There was a huge spark. Kinda scary. Anyways, I'm sure it worked, but will install today. Cool...
Jay