How to reset BIOS on ASUS F5?

My BIOS is password-protected, so that I can't access the BIOS settings (I don't have problems with booting into Windows XP). The BIOS is made by American Megatrends (AMI). I've been trying some utilities to reset the BIOS from Windows, but I don't think that's possible (I don't want to mess up my computer and I find Command Prompt to be quite difficult to use). I've attempted to reset the CMOS through a hardware method, but I can't find a switch/plug/button to do so. The only place I haven't checked is under the RAM, because they're held quite firmly and I don't want to brake anything, since I'm not used to working with hardware componenets. So, is there any way for me to reset the BIOS? Thank you very much.

Alexandru

Posted 2011-06-19T10:27:16.137

Reputation: 41

I'm not submitting this as an answer, because it probably wont help... but apparently, there is sometimes a marking on the underside of the laptop that looks like this: >o<. If you use a cocktail stick, and poke the hole (where the o is the hole), then it MIGHT do the trick... – Joseph Redfern – 2011-06-19T10:36:43.560

What brand of laptop is it? – ThatGuyInIT – 2011-06-19T14:31:52.483

Answers

On SOME computers (usually higher-end models) BIOS passwords are stored on chips designed to even meet Department of Defense standards (still not always perfect as this post will show, but hard enough to keep out most ordinary users), and are stored in secure chips. Although you may find a complicated hack on the Internet, requiring some electronic equipement and skill to execute (I will post an example below to show how much skill is involved, but it is not specific to your computer, and a link to free software for reading the chip), for the most part, this is beyond most people's capabilities...and that is a big "IF".

This issue is not solved by removing a battery or removing jumpers on the board.

For the most part, the solution ends up being replacing the motherboard, OR replacing the chip. I found a company on eBay that sells these chips (not too expensive at all), and they specialize in writing replacement chips, and could POSSIBLY send you a new chip, and instructions on how to replace it.

http://myworld.ebay.com/bios_fix_depot&ssPageName=STRK:MEFSX:SELLERID

http://solve-pc.blogspot.com/2008/11/ibm-thinkpad-r40-supervisor-password.html

http://hdst1.heliohost.org/dl/ (free software to read the chip)

KCotreau

Posted 2011-06-19T10:27:16.137

Reputation: 24 985

Since when are BIOS passwords designed to meet the DOD standards? Also, I don't see how changing the BIOS chip would help since settings are stored in the CMOS... unless you corrupt the settings :/ ) – William Hilsum – 2011-06-19T11:20:13.563

@Wil On certain laptops, with security chips, the password is NOT stored in CMOS. I am looking for a better link from DOD, but read RayH's comment here: http://www.techimo.com/forum/technical-support/165399-bios-password.html Otherwise, why would there be that second link I posted? Think about it.

– KCotreau – 2011-06-19T11:37:25.477

@Wil P.S. also do you realize how many people have have this problem...go do a quick search. If it were stored in CMOS, it would be as simple as pulling the battery. – KCotreau – 2011-06-19T11:39:58.253

Because that is about reading the password rather than resetting it... and from what I can see, we are just talking about a plain BIOS settings password, not a whole TPM type security/SATA password lock etc. – William Hilsum – 2011-06-19T11:44:39.240

@Wil I did edit my answer to reflect that not all computers have this feature, but it seems pretty likely that this is what he is running into, not something that will be solved by pulling the CMOS battery. Just because he phrased it as "is there any way for me to reset the BIOS", that does not mean that is the problem...most common issue here is these security chips locking people out, which he also said: "My BIOS is password-protected, so that I can't access the BIOS settings". My bet is still on the latter. – KCotreau – 2011-06-19T11:53:08.863

@Wil @PeterSmith I'm not really sure what's the problem. I hope I've posted in an easy to understand way. Whether or not Department of Defense standards are met or not isn't relevant. I want to access the BIOS settings. I've deduced (maybe I'm wrong) that what I should do is reset the BIOS settings so that the password will disappear. I believe this is called a CMOS flash. – Alexandru – 2011-06-19T18:36:46.693

CmosPwd claims to support AMI BIOSes, perhaps you should give that a try. Or, of course, call the manufacturer.

Hello71

Posted 2011-06-19T10:27:16.137

Reputation: 7 636

The Ultimate Boot CD has some BIOS password cracking tools, although they are very unlikely to work - Laptop BIOSes don't all store the password in the same way, and they differ a lot more than their desktop counterparts.

If you do try the utilities on the UBCD, be very careful to follow the instructions, as some of them only apply to desktop BIOSes, and will permanently nuke your laptop BIOS.

Unfortunately there's not really many ways to get around a BIOS password - Especially one on a laptop =(

You should also ask Asus Tech Support, in case they have a tool for this kind of scenario.

William Lawn Stewart

Posted 2011-06-19T10:27:16.137

Reputation: 1 889

The easiest thing you can do is to unplug the power and (normal) battery from the laptop.

Next, unplug the CMOS battery (usually located in a user replaceable area, but not always).

Wait a good few hours.

When you boot up, the majority of the time, all BIOS values should be reset.

This works on the majority of motherboards/laptops out there.

William Hilsum

Posted 2011-06-19T10:27:16.137

Reputation: 111 572

I don't know where the CMOS battery is. I've found this video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US306Sxt090 I was looking for some sort of button or switch to do just that. I've found a button, which I've kept pressed for maybe a minute, but nothing changed. I've also found a plug, which I've also left disconnected for about a minute or so, but nothing happened. Then again, you mention "a good few hours". If you have the slightest belief that either the button or switch are related to my problem please tell me. I don't have the time to try this if it won't succeed.

– Alexandru – 2011-06-19T18:47:50.307