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How to reset BIOS settings to default settings. How to reset BIOS password on a computer and laptop

A BIOS password is one of the ways to protect information on PCs and laptops from unwanted access by strangers.

Without a password, if one is set, you will not only not be able to change BIOS Setup settings, but also boot the operating system.

It will also not be possible to start the computer from external media.

Forgetting the password is like a disaster, because it will become impossible to use the machine. The only thing that will help you out in such a situation is resetting it, or rather, resetting it to zero.

Resetting the BIOS password on a PC

Resetting the BIOS password on a desktop computer is not a problem. It is reset by clearing the CMOS flash memory, the small 32-pin PLCC chip on the motherboard that stores BIOS settings.

Cleaning is performed in many ways, but since the entrance to BIOS Setup is closed for us, and the operating system does not boot, we will consider only hardware ones.

Attention! Before following these instructions, unplug your computer.

  • Method 1: Temporarily remove the flash memory battery. The CMOS memory is powered by a CR2032 coin cell battery (pictured below as number 1), which is also located on the motherboard. Remove it from the socket and after 15-30 minutes put it back in place.
  • Method 2: closing the Clear CMOS contacts with a special jumper (number 2 in the photo below). These contacts are usually located near the battery and, in addition to “Clear CMOS”, can be marked as “CLRTC”, “Clear RTC”, “CLR CMOS”, “CRTC”, “CCMOS”, etc. In operation, the jumper is in the position 1-2. To clear the flash memory, move it to pins 2-3, wait 30 seconds and return it to its place.

  • Method 3: Pressing the “Clr CMOS” button, which on some top-end motherboards replaces the jumper.

After turning on the PC again, the BIOS password will be reset, and the remaining BIOS Setup settings will return to their original state.

Resetting the BIOS password on a laptop

With laptops, things are more complicated, but there are more ways to reset the BIOS password on them. One is similar to the one described above, but it does not always help. Why:

  • To get to the battery or the “Clear CMOS” jumper, sometimes you have to completely disassemble the laptop. Only on some models the battery is located under a separate cover.

  • The battery may be soldered to the motherboard, but the jumper may be missing.
  • The BIOS password is sometimes stored in a separate EEPROM chip, and manipulation of the battery does not lead to anything. This is how business class laptops and some compact models are usually designed.

If the latter is your case, resetting the BIOS password can only be done by flashing the EEPROM on the programmer or selecting a master password - a universal code suitable for a specific brand of laptop.

The option with a programmer is clearly not for home users. Repairmen in service centers resort to it when simpler methods do not help.

In this case, the microcircuit is unsoldered from the board, new firmware is “poured” into it and soldered in place.

After that, using the BIOS editor, enter the MAC address and serial numbers of the laptop into the firmware.

It turns out that choosing a master password is the only thing you can do at home. Different laptop manufacturers do it differently.

The essence of the method comes down to the following: after several unsuccessful attempts to enter, the BIOS issues a certain code, on the basis of which a master password is generated.

Programs (rarely widely available) and web services are used as generators.

Sometimes the technical support service of the car manufacturer helps solve the problem, but, unfortunately, some require a fee for this.

Let's look at how to get a master password on laptops of the most common brands.

Asus.

Undocumented feature: Resetting BIOS settings and password on some models is performed by pressing the Insert key simultaneously with the Power button.

In other cases, after the entry fails three times, the BIOS displays the date of its installation on the screen. Each date is associated with a specific password.

First, try to find the master password on the Internet by date; fortunately, users are willing to share them. If it doesn’t work, use the generator service.

Acer.

Three unsuccessful input attempts result in the message "System disabled [numeric_code]".

The code is used for generation. Since it changes every time you turn on the laptop, it is not possible to find a suitable master password on the Internet, as for Asus. Sometimes you have to generate several times.

HP, Lenovo.

Different BIOS versions of HP and Lenovo laptops display different messages. Some are the same as Acer's, others have an eight-digit digital code, and others have a ten-digit alphanumeric code.

The code is sent to the generator. Most often, a suitable option is not generated on the first try.

Bottom line

Try, and sooner or later you will succeed. But it’s better not to put a password on the BIOS unless absolutely necessary, or write it down on paper and store it in a safe place.

Many problems associated with the operation of a laptop can be solved by simply resetting the BIOS, that is, returning it to factory settings, which are guaranteed to work. Often users change critical settings, overclock the processor, or, even worse, set a password and then forget it. And only resetting the settings will solve the problem. This procedure is simple and accessible to every user. Actually, there are always two options that will allow you to return the BIOS to factory settings - hardware and software.

Hardware procedure

The very first and simplest is a mechanical reset of the BIOS settings. Here's how to do it: turn off the laptop, turn it over, and on the bottom side look for the inscription “CMOS” (there should still be a small hole near it). Insert a sharp object, such as a paper clip, into this hole and hold for about 10 seconds.

Please note that older models do not have such holes. But even there the BIOS can be reset. For example, you can remove the battery that powers the CMOS memory, although this will require you to disassemble the laptop (usually you just need to remove the bottom cover). To reset the BIOS in this way, you need to be very careful and disassemble everything very carefully. The battery is generally easy to find, it is flat and always easily accessible. The battery must be removed from the socket and wait a while. On very old models the battery may be soldered, but this is now very rare.

Much more often, the issue with the BIOS on a laptop is resolved not by removing the battery itself, but by removing or short-circuiting a special jumper, which is responsible for the same CMOS. Sometimes you can reset the BIOS by pressing a special button on the motherboard - this is similar to a jumper.

Please note that the procedure for removing the battery is universal. This way you can reset the BIOS not only on an ASUS laptop, but anywhere in general. With a CMOS memory battery you can reset it on any device, from expensive servers to regular PCs.

Software BIOS reset procedure

If you know how to enter the BIOS and can do it, then hardware methods are not needed at all, you can make everything simpler. As for setting up ASUS laptops, there are several options, depending on the specific implementation. In general, everything is done simply - you need to turn on your laptop and go to the BIOS settings menu at the boot stage.

  1. You should definitely pay attention to the messages at the bottom of the screen; the key combination you need is written there. Typically, entering the BIOS occurs by pressing the “Del”, “Esc” or “F2” keys during boot, but options are also possible. You will easily understand the principle of resetting the BIOS on a laptop when you get to the settings menu. Please note that new versions of ASUS laptops may not have a text screen but a graphic one. But in general, the scheme of how to reset everything is general.
  2. Next, select the desired menu item - usually it is called “Set BIOS Default” or “Use Default Settings”. Select and press “Enter”, and then confirm your decision - press “Yes”. In principle, how to enter the BIOS and how to reset it - all this is in the documentation for the laptop/motherboard.
  3. Often, resetting the BIOS on a laptop must also be confirmed by saving - that is, select the menu item - “Save & Exit”, save everything, and then reboot.

On a laptop can sometimes serve as a radical method against problems on a laptop computer.

Sometimes, in case of system failures, only completely resetting the settings helps; the user should know the main nuances of these techniques.

In most cases, if the problem is not a hardware issue, this will help get the device back into working order.

Reset Features

At first glance, resetting BIOS settings to factory settings is not difficult.

However, for a user conducting it for the first time (and most laptop owners may never encounter such a need), some questions arise during the process.

Especially if software methods did not help, and you have to disassemble the laptop to reset.

There may be several reasons for using one of the BIOS reset methods:

  • resetting a forgotten, unknown (set by another user) or lost BIOS password. Although, if the user is not going to change anything in the settings, he may not need such a reset;
  • Incorrectly performed processor overclocking, in which critical values ​​of memory timings or bus frequencies were set. However, it is usually not recommended to overclock the chipset on laptops - not only because of problems, but also because of cooling problems;
  • the system does not boot for an unknown reason, although you can still enter the BIOS;
  • The BIOS has been modified by a non-technical person who does not remember which setting should be reset.

BIOS reset options

For a laptop computer, as well as for a stationary one, there are several options for solving the problem with the BIOS by resetting it to zero:

  • reset the settings using the interface itself (a method suitable only if you managed to enter the BIOS);
  • using a special utility (used for 32-bit operating systems);
  • hardware (mechanical) method.

Additional reset methods can be found in your computer's documentation, if available.

Instructions for a specific device model will help you resolve the issue; most often they can be found on the Internet - on the manufacturer’s website or, as a last resort, on the forums of owners of similar models.

Reset via BIOS

To simplify the user's task, resetting settings to default values ​​is possible using the utility built into the BIOS.

In order to use it, you should go to the interface by pressing a certain function key during loading.

Most often these are Del and F2, less often – Esc, F10 and F11.

You can determine more precisely which key is needed to enter the settings immediately when the system starts, when this information appears at the bottom of the screen.

Tip: For the UEFI interface, loading is too fast, and the flashing text is not easy to see. In this case, you can try to click on all the functional ones one by one or find the one you need on the Internet based on your laptop model.

After entering the BIOS menu, you should find the exit menu (Exit) and select the Load setup defaults item in it. By agreeing to reset the settings (selecting the Yes button), you will restore their factory values.

After pressing F10, the changes you have made will be saved.

Owners of some laptop models may see other inscriptions in the BIOS menu, except for Load setup defaults.

For example, a user of Sony equipment will find the inscription F3 Optimized Defaults here, indicating that after pressing this function key and saving the changes, a reset will also occur.

For modern models from Samsung, Toshiba and HP, there is an F9 Setup Defaults item in the settings, usually located at the bottom or right side of the screen.

This means that to reset you need to press F9 and save the changes.

For outdated hardware models whose BIOS differs from modern versions, you need to find the Use Default Settings or Set BIOS Default items in the settings.

When you select them, an inscription may appear on the screen suggesting either a reset to factory settings (Load Optimized Defaults), or a transition to settings optimized for protection against failures (Load Fail-Safe Defaults).

In most cases, resetting the settings will restore the computer to normal operation and boot.

However, if an error occurs during the reset process, for example, when selecting the media from which the system boots, the user will have to enter the BIOS settings again and make small changes:

  1. Open BIOS;
  2. Go to the Boot section;
  3. Select the Boot Mode tab and, if UEFI is written in this field, change it to Legacy;
  4. Save changes and reboot the system.

The software reset method may not work. For example, if there is a password on the BIOS. Or you can’t enter it for some other reason.

DEBUG utility

Changing interface settings is also possible using a special utility for Windows. It is built into 32-bit versions of the OS and requires running as an administrator to operate.

Resetting to zero using it is not difficult, although you must have administrator rights:

  1. Open the command execution menu (Win + R);
  2. Enter the command debug.exe;
  3. After the command line opens, enter from the keyboard in turn: “o702E”, “o71FF” and “q”;
  4. After entering each command, press the enter button.

After this, the BIOS settings are reset. And after rebooting the system, the user will see an error message and the need to check the settings.

The only drawback of the utility is its inability to work in 64-bit versions of Windows.

This means that it is not suitable for most modern operating systems that require the use of other techniques.

Hardware method

A hardware method of resetting the laptop BIOS settings is required in cases where the password is unknown, forgotten, or when the user did not install any protection, but the BIOS was still protected.

In this case, selecting a password and using special utilities on the boot disk do not help. The only way out is hardware reset.

Button to reset BIOS

Laptop models released over the past 2-3 years make it possible to do without disassembling the device. To reset the BIOS, just follow these steps:

  1. Turn off and turn the laptop upside down;
  2. Check the bottom part for the presence of the CMOS inscription on the case, near which there may be a special hole for resetting the BIOS;
  3. Insert a sharp object such as a paper clip or nail into the hole and hold it for half a minute;
  4. Turn on the laptop.

If no holes are found on the back of the laptop, it should be disassembled.

Attention! Further instructions are for advanced PC users only!

Please remember that removing the cover and disassembling the computer voids the warranty.

Before disassembling, be sure to remove peripheral devices (unplug the power cord if the computer is charging, remove flash drives and cables for connecting to other equipment) and the battery.

Disabling the battery

One of the simplest hardware reset methods is to turn off the autonomous power supply on the motherboard.

Most laptop models store BIOS settings and the current time in memory, which is dependent on a small CR2032 battery.

By removing this battery, you can turn off the BIOS power and reset all settings, including the password. The board will have to be de-energized for a period of 5 to 40 minutes, depending on the model.

Sometimes the device may turn out to be non-volatile and the reset will not occur.

The battery is easy to reach - it is usually located close to one of the edges of the board and is not covered by other components.

The user will need:

  • remove the cover;
  • de-energize the device by removing the battery;
  • find a miniature power source;
  • lightly press the latch and remove the battery;
  • wait a while (in order not to repeat the procedure, it is better to wait at least 40 minutes);
  • install the battery back using the same light pressure;
  • turn on the laptop;
  • Configure the BIOS again, setting the clock, date and system boot order.

Some boards have a built-in non-removable battery. For them, removing the battery is impossible, so you should move on to the last method.

Switching the cleaning jumper

The jumper switching method is based on the presence of a special jumper on the laptop, which is responsible for resetting the BIOS.

To find it, you will need to remove the cover of the laptop computer to gain access to the board.

Most often, the switch is located near the battery, and the jumper is usually labeled with inscriptions such as CLRTC, CLR and CCMOS.

The jumper pad almost always consists of three contacts. To reset the BIOS, you need to move the jumper one step: from the first position to the second or from the second to the third.

While the jumper is in the switched position, you need to press the power button of the laptop and hold for at least 10 seconds.

Naturally, when the power is turned off, the laptop will not turn on, but the signal will be transmitted to the jumper.

After this, the jumper is returned to its original position, the computer is assembled, and the BIOS is reconfigured.

Advice: Instead of a jumper on the laptop jumper, there may be a special button, pressing which allows you to perform a similar action. You should press with a pencil or pen, waiting the same 10 seconds.

Using any hardware method, from removing the battery to switching the jumper, although it almost 100% guarantees a reset, can lead to the loss of the warranty of a new laptop, so you should use them only after the end of the warranty period.

Over time, even a powerful laptop begins to “think” and “freeze” more and more often. Installed programs require considerable resources, which leads to slowdowns. In the hope of squeezing maximum speed, the user changes the critical values ​​in the BIOS and tries to overclock the processor. The result is often disastrous - the system is extremely unstable, spontaneously reboots or refuses to start at all.

Video on resetting BIOS settings

To original position

To solve the problem, you need to return to the standard settings, which ensure stable and safe operation.

There are three ways to reset the BIOS on a laptop:

  1. In the BIOS itself.
  2. Using special programs.
  3. By hardware method (mechanically).

If the documentation has been preserved, then the answer to the question of how to reset the BIOS can be found in the manufacturer’s instructions.

The easiest way to return to default settings is to use the built-in utility. To, when booting the system, press the F2 or Del key, depending on the manufacturer. Less commonly, the F10, F11 or Esc keys are used for this.

In modern laptops manufactured by Acer, Toshiba, Samsung or HP, you can return to factory settings by using the F9 key. Information about this is displayed in the lower right corner of the screen. The F9 Setup Defaults item means that to return the default values, you must press F9.

If you can boot into the BIOS, the easiest way to reset the settings is the “Load Setup Default” option

A small window will appear asking Load setup defaults. To confirm, highlight Yes and press Enter on your keyboard. Factory settings have been restored. Press F10 to save the settings and exit the BIOS.

Sony laptop owners will see the F3 Optimized Defaults line. In this case, just press F3 to set the optimal settings. Confirm the action in the Load Optimized defaults pop-up window. Use the F10 key to save changes and reboot.

If you have an older model laptop, then go to the EXIT tab and find the Set BIOS Default or Use Default Settings item there. Select it by pressing the Enter key, confirm the changes and exit the BIOS saving the settings. To do this, select Save and Exit Changes.

How to use the DEBUG utility

The program is designed to quickly change the contents of memory cells. Included in 32-bit versions of Windows OS. It is impossible to run this utility on 64-bit systems. In this case, use virtualization. To reset BIOS settings using DEBUG, you must have administrator rights. Go to the Start menu and click the Run button. In the window that opens, enter debug.exe, a black command prompt window will open. Enter the following commands from the keyboard:

After entering each of them, do not forget to press the Enter button. The BIOS settings on the laptop have been reset. After rebooting, you will see a CMOS error message and a prompt to check.

Users often ask how or how to load the OS. If when working on a desktop computer it is enough to return to the default settings, then on a laptop everything is much more complicated. To protect information, passwords are recorded on a separate chip, and simply resetting the BIOS will not solve the problem. In this case, you will have to contact specialists.

Hardware method

If you use a modern laptop, the question of how to reset the BIOS can be resolved in a few seconds. Turn it off and turn it upside down. You may see a small hole labeled CMOS. You need to insert a sharp object, such as a paper clip, into it and hold it for about 30 seconds. The BIOS settings will return to the original standard values.

If there is no such hole in the laptop, it will have to be disassembled. Sometimes it is enough to simply remove the bottom cover. To reset the BIOS, you need to remove the battery powering the CMOS memory for 30-40 minutes. It is located on the motherboard, most often close to the PCI slots, and is usually easily accessible. In very old models, the battery may be soldered in and will need to be replaced. Plug the power supply into place, reassemble the laptop, and turn it on. You will have to go into the BIOS to set the time, date and boot order.

On some motherboards, you do not need to remove the battery to return to default settings. They have a special jumper called a jumper. This jumper is usually labeled CCMOS, CLRTC, or CLR. It is enough to close the contacts on the jumper for 2-3 minutes, and the BIOS will be reset. An analogue of a jumper can be a special button. Click on it and the BIOS settings will be reset.

Resetting the BIOS mechanically may void the warranty. Therefore, if the laptop is new or you are not sure of the correctness of your actions, then it is better to contact a service center.

It’s rare to find a working computer that has not experienced hardware failures over a long period of use. The following picture is often observed: after pressing the power button, power is supplied to the motherboard, coolers are spinning, hard drives are working, but there is no characteristic sound produced by the motherboard, as well as images on the screen. Under such circumstances, users immediately agree to have their PC diagnosed and repaired at service centers. But before you waste time and money, try resetting the BIOS on your computer, returning the motherboard to factory settings.

Why reset BIOS settings?

Resetting (resetting) BIOS settings helps in the following situations:

  1. The computer turns on, but there are no sounds made by the motherboard when loading the BIOS. Also images on the screen.
  2. You have forgotten the password to enter the BIOS (or the password to continue booting the OS).
  3. Periodic crashes in the PC, the BIOS loads every once in a while.
  4. Windows won't boot.
  5. Changes have been made to the BIOS Setup settings configuration and you want to return them to their original form.

Reset on PC

You can reset BIOS settings either hardware or software.

Hard reset

Depending on the motherboard, you can reset the BIOS by hardware using a jumper or a special button.

Jumper

Cheap motherboards (for example from ASUS) suffer from periodic glitches. Since the BIOS did not boot, you will have to reset using a jumper marked Clear CMOS:

  1. Turn off the power supply (so that the standby voltage of 5 V does not flow to the motherboard).
  2. Open the system unit to access the motherboard.
  3. Look for the Clear CMOS marking near the jumper pins (may be labeled CCMOS, Clear RTC, CLRTC, CRTC). Look for batteries in the area.

  4. Turn on the power supply. We check the work.

Advice! If there are more than 3 jumpers, don't worry. Close the required contacts from left to right, as indicated in the instructions. Subsequent contacts do not need to be closed.

Button

Modern or mat. Premium boards are increasingly equipped with a button to reset the BIOS settings:


Advice! If you remove the battery for 10 - 20 minutes, the BIOS may reset the settings. The date and time will also be lost - you will have to set it again.

Soft reset

If the BIOS boots, a factory reset can be done using the commands.

In BIOS Setup

Using the Debug utility

The Debug.exe utility is part of the Windows family. The debugger migrated from DOC OS. To use it, press Win+R and run the command

  1. If you have AMI BIOS or AWARD, enter the following commands: O 70 17 O 73 17 Q
  2. For Phoenix BIOS: O 70 FF O 71 FF Q

Important! Debug.exe is only available on 32-bit versions of Windows. If you have the x64 version, use other methods to reset BIOS settings.

Resetting on a laptop

The procedure for resetting the BIOS on a laptop is similar. The only difficulty is that the laptop is compactly equipped and getting to the motherboard is not so easy. If software zeroing occurs exactly like this, then for hardware we do the following:

  1. Disconnect all peripherals from the laptop (including the charger) and turn it over with the screen down.
  2. Remove the back cover, remove the battery, hard drive, and RAM cards.
  3. If there are two of them, close for a few seconds with a metal jumper (for example, a screwdriver, just be careful). If there is a jumper, short-circuit the other contacts for a few seconds. .
  4. Assemble your laptop and check your work.

Instead of jumpers, the laptop may have a reset button. Using a pencil or pen, press and hold for a few seconds.