Hey, A user on the network said he had applied the Windows Updates and then restarted the computer. Now the computer is asking for what appears to be the BIOS password. I notice as it boots the name Phoenix at the lower right. I've searched for default passwords and none worked for this BIOS. Perhaps if anyone finds a list, I can compare the results of what I already tried. Is there a way I can clear the bios settings by removing a cmos battery or jumper as in a desktop PC? The computer I have is a Toshiba Tecra A8 EZ6312 and I can not find any info on where it can be. Thanks.

Some Toshiba models have a problem with a password getting set in the BIOS, sometimes with an update and sometimes when plugging a device into the USB port. The solution is to take it to a certified Toshiba repair center and have the password cleared and the latest BIOS update installed. The method for this model requires a certified tech to call Toshiba and go through a validate/reset process. I also believe you have a Tecra A8 EZ8312 since the A8 does not show an EZ6300 series. Since I work in a Toshiba authorized service center we get a system with BIOS passwords every couple of weeks. Richard

Sounds as if the user did more than run Windows Updates. I'm with Rich. You'll have to contact Toshiba. "So won’t you give this man his wings What a shame To have to beg you to see We’re not all the same What a shame" - Shinedown

Rich is correct; there is a toshiba service bulletin on the toshiba website for this specific bios problem and they have provided a bios upgrade for it that can be used only if the password prompt has not yet appeared and locked up the computer. Toshiba also advises this password prompt can appear unexpectedly at any time in the service life of several different models with earlier bios versions. Toshiba advises once this password prompt lockup occurs, there is no password that can correct the problem. Toshiba says in VERY rare cases a restart may clear the password prompt for 1 startup. If you do get very lucky and the password prompt disappears, allowing normal access to windows, you should immediately download and install the bios update from toshiba for your model. It is probably versiom 5.9 or 6.0. The download is a breeze and simple to do via windows insertion. Also, if you do get very lucky and the password prompt dissapeared for you after a restart, you will likely only get the one shot at updating the bios. The password prompt will positively reappear again without the upgrade if you shutdown without the bios update. If you cannot get rid of the password prompt after several tries at restarting then you must let toshiba fix the problem. According to the service bulletin there is no charge for this repair. There is a huge number of toshiba models that have this as a potential problem. The only fix prior to its occurance is to update the bios. If your computer is on the list of affected machines, and probably is, you did nothing wrong. The problem is in the bios itself.

Thanks all! To be clear, I did say it was an A8 but in fact its a Tecra A6. The closest repair shop from my location is 50mi in New York! I had asked another IT guy about it and he found the clear jumper under the memory on the bottom of the computer. After clearing it for 20 seconds, problem fixed!

As I suspected; nothing to do with running the Windows Updates. :) There's usually more to the story when the user says "all I did was (fill in the blank)....." "So won’t you give this man his wings What a shame To have to beg you to see We’re not all the same What a shame" - Shinedown