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Boot-Up Password

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9 replies

by nmi5970611

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How can I set up a boot-up password on my e-Machines desktop? I am not referring to a Windows password, but an actual harddrive boot-up password which will not allow a user to access my PC or get past the question without this password. Do I need to go to the BIOS setup to do this? Thanks!

9 replies

by rdbaird

Yes, you will need to go into your BIOS setup to initiate a password. Depending on which BIOS you have (Phoenix, AMI, Award, etc.) just find the setup password and set it. You should be asked to confirm the password and that is it. Your next reboot will require a power-on password.

by paulp

One thing to keep in mind... from my experiences I have noticed a boot password is only required at power on. It does not prompt for the password if you ctrl-alt-delete (warm boot).

by thechas

Not all BIOSes have the bootup password option.

Look through BIOS settings.
In the password and security options, you are looking for an option to change security from system to BIOS.

I would say that over 1/2 of the motherboards that I have worked with have only the BIOS password, and not the system / boot password.

There are a few security utilities that claim to force users to log into Windows, but I have no personal experiance with them.

Here is a link to a site with a softwaresolution
http://www.bootguard.com/

Chas

by edsdave

Direct answer to question is "Yes" if the BIOS has an option for boot up password. The only problem is that if someone wants to get past the BIOS passsword all they have to do is short the battery jumper or remove and replace the battery that supplies the power to the BIOS. Depends on what length people are willing to go to to get on your computer.

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