I have a second-hand computer running Windows 98 that I have been tinkering with. I turned on the computer, pressed Del to get to BIOS setup screen, and got prompted for the password. I don't know the password, but the computer won't let me back up from this screen; I've tried ESC, Cntl-Alt-Del, turning off the power switch, every combination I can think off, the computer always reboots to the BIOS setup screen with the password prompt. Any suggestions on how to get the computer just to simply boot up to the desktop? Thanks, Vicki

There's probably a 'clear cmos' or even a 'clear password' jumper on the motherboard. You may need to consult the manual if you're not sure where it's located. Then just put it in the clear position, turn the PC on for a few seconds, turn it off and put the jumper back in the standby position. The next time you boot you should be able to enter cmos/bios setup with no problem.

Get the password from the person you bought it from. Do yourself a favor BACKUP!

The reason you can't get into the bios is the bios has a Password: "system" setting set (or similar) - you must type the proper password to use the computer at all. The default if someone has set a password is a Password: "bios" setting (or similar), for bios access only. On most desktop or tower computers you can get same result as when you use the clear cmos jumper by removing the mboard battery for the bios/cmos for a few minutes, then putting it back in. Pay attention to which way the battery faces and the polarity on the side you can see before you remove it - usually the + side is up, but it can be the opposite. If you install it upside down the bios will behave the same way as it does if the battery is missing or dead (you will get the "Cmos Checksum Error...." or similar every time you boot, or at least after the power to the case has been shut off). Whether you use the clear cmos jumper or clear password jumper or remove the battery, to be safest and to leessen the wait, unplug or otherwise remove the power to the computer case while doing so. If you use the clear cmos jumper or remove the battery, either way, all the non-default (user) settings will be gone. The first time you boot after that you will get a "Cmos Checksum Error...." or similar message. You will either be prompted to enter the bios Setup or you will automatically go there. You have to at least set the time and date, save settings. If you have ever flashed the bios on the mboard, or if you just want to make sure things are hunky dory, load Bios Defaults (of any kind) , save settings. If you have a fairly recent model scanner or printer connected to a parallel (LPTx) port, you also need to make sure it is set to EPP, EPP/ECP, or ECP mode in the bios - usually EPP is fine - ECP mode also requires you use Add Hardware (at least in in Windows ME and earlier it does) to install an ECP port if it is not already there in Device Manager. If you don't have a manual (it is often on the CD that came with the mboard) we can possibly find you your mboard manual and other info. If you DO know your mboard brand, model, or mboard version or revision number, or your brand name system model number, tell us what it is. If you DO NOT know your mboard brand, model, or mboard version or revision number, or your brand name system model number, we need more info. ...... If the motherboard is in a working system, we need your bios string to be able to identify your mboard and/or computer. Go here, download BIOS AGENT. Run BIOS AGENT to find your bios string. - here's the link that downloads Bios Agent http://download.esupport.com/biosagent/ba.exe Tell us everything Bios Agent finds, and include any dashes, etc. ... Bios Agent must be used in Windows. The following works even if you have no drives at all connected to your mboard but you are able to boot and get a display on your monitor. If you cannot use Bios Agent, the bios string is usually a long string of numbers/letters at the bottom of the first black screen as you boot your computer - usually you can press the Pause key to read it and copy it down. Press any key but Pause to continue booting. It could also be higher up the screen under or beside the bios version line, e.g. under or beside Award 4.51 PG or Pheonix... Send this bios string to us, and include any dashes, etc. Please make sure you copied it right. Most Award and AMI Bios strings do not have spaces. Sometimes the bios string is not visible because a logo screen is displayed overtop of it while booting. In that case, if you are not able to use Bios Agent, go into your bios Setup while booting. Sometimes the bios version date, and sometimes the bios version number, are stated in the bios Setup screens somewhere, and/or some show the identifier part of the bios string at the top of one or more screens. Tell us what you find. ......... Once you manage to clear the password or the whole cmos by moving a jumper, or by removing the mboard battery.... To get into your bios Setup if you don't know how: You need to press a specific keyboard key while booting, after the memory is counted, before the operating system starts to load - usually which key you press is stated at the bottom of the first black screen as you boot - if you see nothing but a logo screen, try re-starting in case a now warmed up monitor will show you something before that, or a reboot (warm boot) may not display the logo - on some computers you must boot after power off or Windows Shutdown to see the first black screen - if that doesn't help, you need to blindly press the key shortly after booting. The time window in which you can press the key and get into the Setup is brief; the faster your computer the shorter it is. If you miss the right time and the operating system starts to load, press your reset button if you have one, or holding down Crtl and Alt, press Del (doesn't work for XP), or if you have an ATX computer, hold the power button in until the computer shuts off, then let go and briefly press it to restart. In any case the key should be repeatedly pressed, not held down. If your computer boots relatively fast, you may need to blindly press the key very shortly after booting. The most common key is Del for Award and AMI bioses, F1 for Phoenix bioses, but it can be anything - it may be stated in your brand name system or motherboard manual, in sections describing Bios or Cmos Setup settings. If you don't have a printed manual, it is usually on a CD that came with the system or motherboard. If you don't have a CD either, look up your system or motherboard on the manufacturer's web site, and find a manual or at least Bios or Cmos Setup instructions.

Maybe I'm a bit lost here but if the machine won't boot any further because of a BIOS password, then surely there is no way BIOS Agent can be used in Windows. DerekW

succinct: Characterized by clear, precise expression in few words; concise and terse: a succinct reply; a succinct style. Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie!'... till you can find a rock

Download a program called KILLCMOS & copy to a floppy. Boot off a Win98 boot floppy & wait til it stops at the DOS prompt. Remove the boot floppy, pop in the KILLCMOS floppy & run it. The password will be gone & all BIOS settings will have reset to the defaults.