Update: Problem solved Thank you everyone

[preCRT]

Help. I screwed up the boot on an old 486 & need to access info on the hard drive.
The CMOS battery died & the info needed to be manually added.

While trying to do this for the 1st time in 2 years, I accidentally saved the default info. Now during boot up, it wants a password. I never used one before. Please help.

 

[BlueTDimly]

Are you saying that you set a password in the CMOS?

Can't you just flash the CMOS and clear out the password that way?

BlueT.

 

[preCRT]

How?

 

[Mapidus]

There might be a jumper on the motherboard to clear the CMOS. If not, leaving the battery out for a while should do the job.

 

[BadThad]

This can be quite a problem. I've had it happen years ago. Pulling the battery doesnt usually work 🙁.

Is this a commercial pc or a component system? Can you tell me what kind of mobo it is? I don't suppose you have a manual for it. Finding the CMOS clear jumper can be next to impossible on old 486 boards cause their is usu a million freakin jumpers and no documentation...but that IS the best thing to do.

Are you a member of TeAm AnandTech? 🙂

 

[preCRT]

Is is/was a built to order.
I've just found the manual, some generic 80486 VL Turbo mobo.

Should I move the jumper to open to clear CMOS setup memory?

Then reboot, then save new setting, move jumper to closed to maintain setup?

 

[Thespeedster]

there is a little program called kill cmos. you can fint it by searching the web or send me an email address and I'll send it to you.

 

[SemperFi]

I just want to say DO NOT power on the computer with the jumper in the clear CMOS position. Put the jumper on clear leave on for a minute then pull and set to original position then power up.