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Laptop BIOS password

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by jdbwar07

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Hello,
I have a major problem, if you could please help me I would be eternally grateful.

I have a one-year old Acer laptop that has what's called a supervisor password. I assume it's referring to the BIOS. I set this password myself a long time ago to protect my laptop computer's settings. The problem is now that I need to reinstall Windows I can't remember it. Is there any way to remove or reset the current password? I've looked on different forums, and most of the advice centers on removing a battery or otherwise opening up the laptop. Since I do not have any experience in repairing computers or taking apart laptops, is there some software method to do this?

The laptop is an Acer Travelmate 3204xmi (part of the 3200 series). It uses a Phoenix-type BIOS. It's fairly new, I got it from new egg last July.
Thanks in advance,
John Bowman

11 replies

by ni70

bring it to your local IT shop, since you don't have any experience with taking computers apart, especially laptops. Don't believe there's a software method, but then again I haven't researched it, I mean googled it:)

by jdbwar07

Unfortunately if you're right, I'll be going to the repair place. The reason I didn't sound like that was an option was because I called Acer's technical support and they wanted like $400 to send it in. Apparently since I bought it last July it's out of warranty. I mistakenly thought the warranty lasted a year, but it only lasted 90 days.

by charliespencer

Try a mom-and-pop shop. They should be able to do this in less than 15 minutes. You're probably looking at the minimum service charge, usually between $75 and $100.

by espionage

hi, a don't know exactly, but there is another way to enter you BIOS features, every BIOS has it special standart password to enter it, which is differ from the password you set. For example AMI has the password AMI(as far as i remember). i don't know exactly the password to the Phoenix-type BIOS, but you can find it in Internet.

by jdbwar07

Hello,

I appreciate the reply, but unfortunately I don't think that in particular will work. I tried the default ones listed, there were a few on the web like PHOENIX, phoenix, CMOS, BIOS. None worked. Apparently Phoenix really worked to make their BIOS secure, including removing default passwords. Normally that would probably be a good thing, for security, except for unfortunate problems like this of course.

I have heard in other forums that there are programs for somehow hacking into the BIOS. It sounds like normally these could be used for shady purposes, however since I can't afford to send it in to acer I'm willing to try anything.

I tried some other types of programs like cmospwd and killcmos (cmospwd didn't work and killcmos doesn't seem to work in XP). However, if anyone knows of any actual "cracking" programs I'd like to try it. If you don't want to post it here, my email is jdbwar07@yahoo.com .

Thanks for your help,
John Bowman

by jdmercha

Correct me if I'm wrong but....

I'm aware of two kinds of BIOS passwords. One requires you to enter the password every time you turn the machine on. If that is the password you set then it's not likely that you would forget it. Unless you haven't turned on the computer in a year.

The second type of password I'm aware of is used to enter the BIOS setup. You can stil use the cmoputer without knowing the password, you just can't make any changes to the BIOS. So if this is the password you have set, you should not need it to reinstall Windows.

There is also another password I've seen that is embeded in the hard drive circuitry. This will prevent the hard drive from working with any other laptop. And in some models the computer will not run with any other hard drive. If this is the password you need then you are SOL and sending it back to Acer is your only option. (Or through it out and buy a new one.)

by jdbwar07

It's the one you use to enter the BIOS setup. I could still use the computer, but not reinstall Win XP ever or anything like that. However, I just solved the problem! Thanks for your concern though, I appreciate it.

by jdbwar07

Thanks to everyone who took the time to post here, however I have good news. I managed to solve the problem. Since I still could use the computer I used this program made by Phoenix called WinPhlash. It's used to update the BIOS. I had already tried to re-flash it using the same BIOS. Did it a couple times, but that didn't work. Then I looked into the advanced settings and checked an option "clear the cmos checksum." That did work! Now I have a nice reset BIOS menu with no password. Thanks again for posting here, I appreciate the help.

by fireinthesky

Hello, I have the same problem, but one that I`m ot able to solve as easy as described. Whatever version of winflash I install, it keeps saying it needs bios.wph, which I don`t have, but when I search for alternate file as described here:http://www.acersupport.com/notebook/articles/tm650_winphlash.html, I still can`t find it. I would be very grateful if someone could help me, either to tell me where can I find it or install it from, or some third option? Thanks in advance.

by happymark88

This information is intended for experienced users. It is not intended for basic users, hackers, or computer thieves. Please do not try any of following procedures if you are not familiar with computer hardware. I'll not be responsible for the use or misuse of this information, including personal injury, loss of data or hardware damage. So use it at your own risk.

A. By Using the Motherboard Jumper:

In most motherboards CMOS battery is soldered, which makes it difficult to remove the battery. In this case we use another method.

Almost all motherboards contain a jumper that can clear all CMOS settings along with the BIOS password. The location of this jumper varies depending upon the motherboard brand. You should read your motherboard manual to check its location. If you don't have the manual then look for the jumpers near the CMOS battery. Most of the manufacturer label the jumper as CLR, CLEAR, CLEAR CMOS, etc.

When you find the jumper, look carefully. There will be 3 pins and the jumper will be joining the center pin to either left or right pin. What you need to do, is remove the jumper and join the center pin to the opposite pin. e.g. if the jumper joins center pin to left pin, then remove it and join center pin to right pin. Now wait for a few seconds and then again remove the jumper and join the center pin to left pin.

Make sure to turn the PC off before opening the cabinet and resetting the jumper.

B. By Using Software:

I have found that BIOS/CMOS Password Recovery Tool is the most effective.:
BIOS/CMOS Password Recovery Tool is a program that works instantly to remove any lost or forgotten BIOS/CMOS password. Simply boot your PC to DOS and execute the program, and get access to forgotten BIOS/CMOS passwords in just seconds

BIOS/CMOS Password Recovery Tool Service: http://www.biospasswordrecovery.com/

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