Hello, i forgot the bios-password of an old computer. Does anybody know if there is a universal bios-password, to save the system, once the old pw is lost. would appreciate your advice; Patricio Tucholla Hi, everyone; my "Word 2000" broke down and now just displays on the whole screen, but format ing features and symbols are missing, how can reset the default setting. Thank you and ALL

Not that I'm aware of nor if there was would it be appropriate to publish such a thing here. Power-onn passwords on laptops are an antitheft measure and there is no manual resetting by removing CMOS battery or using reset jumpers as is the case in most desktop units. You will need to see an authorised IBM dealer and provide proof of ownership. I used to have a signature but it disappeared and I just couldn't be bothered writing another so please feel free to ingore this.

No such animal, the pw is burned in EEPROM. See an outfit like this which requires proof of ownership and probably charges more than the machine is worth: http://www.nortek.on.ca/hdd_pw.html Best

Appreciate your answers! I am perfectly aware of the sensible ownership-issue, yet bought the pc(it is not a laptop) in all honesty in Berlin as a used equippment. I am contacting "Award" right now. Appreciate your advices; all the best from good ol´Germany; Patricio Tucholla Hi, everyone; my "Word 2000" broke down and now just displays on the whole screen, but format ing features and symbols are missing, how can reset the default setting. Thank you and ALL

So the system you are talking about is not the IBM A22m mentioned in your heading? Sorry for the misunderstanding. If this is a desktop type system then depending on the maker resetting the bios PWD is accomplished either by a jumper setting or sometimes by temporary removal of the CMOS battery. So tell us the correct information and you're more likely to get an answer that is relevant. I used to have a signature but it disappeared and I just couldn't be bothered writing another so please feel free to ingore this.

You don't have to contact anyone. All you have to do is ClearCMOS & it will remove the password. As Richard explained, just remove the motherboard battery (with power cord unplugged), wait a minute, then reinstall the battery...the password will be cleared & all BIOS settings will have reverted to the defaults. If you don't wanna go thru the hassle, use a program called KILLCMOS...it will accomplish the same thing, without opening the case http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/KILLCMOS.shtml http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2969.html ASUS A7N8X-X Athlon XP 1800+ 8.5 x 200MHz 1024MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7 Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB WinME/WinXP Pro SP2

jam is probably correct, but Thinkpads can have (I think) three levels of passwords. If it IS in fact truely a bios password, you can "clear" the bios. Go to IBM.com and download the user manual, and most important, the "hardware maintenance manual" for that machine. Here's a starter page: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/multiplefiledownload.do?validate=true Here's the page for the user manuals: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-4HTQAL A link to the "hardware maintenance manual" http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?subcategoryind=0&familyind=50303&brandind=10&doccategoryind=0&modelind=0&doctypeind=8&validate=true&partnumberind=0&sitestyle=lenovo&template=%2Fproductpage%2Flandingpages%2FproductPageLandingPage.vm&operatingsystemind=49979&machineind=0 IT IS IMPORTANT that you read through these. If it is in fact a password that is in an EEPROM, there are some "aftermarket" fixes commonly available on ebay. I have not tried them. It is my understanding that if this is in fact a "hard drive" password, you might as well replace the hard drive. They are supposedly VERY secure. Also, if you do a Google search for thinkpad, "password recovery" You'll get a lot of hits