How can I reset BIOS password in Dell Inspiron 1000

BIOS Password Troubles?

Basically there are usually TWO types of BIOS password

1. Startup Password; This stops the PC booting till a password is entered.
2. BIOS password; This stops you entering the BIOS setup until a password is entered.

This information is held in a CMOS (Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) chip, this is used because it only requires a TINY amount of voltage to keep its settings. This voltage is usually supplied by a Lithium battery on the motherboard (Some Laptops don’t have this they store the info in Flash memory - Consult the handbook)

The easiest way CLEAR the settings is

1. Look in the motherboard Manufacturers handbook most have a set of "Jumper pins" which can be shorted using a "jumper" - This is a small plastic peg that shorts he pins. More modern motherboard actually have a reset switch.

2. Remove the battery, on VERY old PC's the battery is soldered on, if this is the case you need to either wield a soldering iron (which I don't recommend) or take it into the shop. ENSURE the PC is unplugged (at both ends) and remove the battery - leave the PC for at least 20 minutes, and replace the battery.

If you don’t fancy getting the screwdrivers out you DO have other options.

1. Flash the BIOS this resets everything, to do this you MUST have access to the floppy drive, visit the motherboard manufacturers website and find an "Updated" BIOS for your PC, Follow the installation directions TO THE LETTER.

2. Overload the Keyboard buffer; Overloading the keyboard buffer can crash the password routine and let the computer boot. Try this by pressing the ESC key repeatedly, possibly more than 100 times. (I’ve not tried this - I’m to impatient :0)

3. Try a dedicated BIOS cracker

!BIOS BIOS/SRC/DOS/unpacked/IBIOS.EXE" target="_blank" onclick="return openNew(this.href);">http://www.11a.nu/FILES/!BIOS/SRC/DOS/unpacked/IBIOS.EXE
RemPass http://natan.zejn.si/rempass.html
KillCMOS http://www.utilitygeek.com/details.php?fileid=82

4. Try various known "Back Door" Passwords these differ depending on the BIOS manufacturer (usually written on the chip)

For Award BIOS
AWARD_SW
AWARD_PW
j262
HLT
SER
SKY_FOX
BIOSTAR
ALFAROME
Lkwpeter
j256
AWARD?SW
LKWPETER
syxz
ALLy
589589
589721
awkward
CONCAT
d8on
CONDO
j64
szyx

For AMI BIOS
AMI
BIOS
PASSWORD
HEWITT RAND
AMI?SW
AMI_SW
LKWPETER
A.M.I.
CONDO
589589

For Phoenix BIOS
Phoenix

5. If all the above fail (And its Mission Critical) go to http://www.pwcrack.com/index.shtml

*****References and Further reading*****
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/answerstips/story/0,24330,3339616,00.html
BIOS_hack.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return openNew(this.href);">http://www.labmice.net/articles/BIOS_hack.htm (MORE Back Door Passwords Here :0)

Sony Vaio http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/Q_20935953.html
IBM Thinkpad http://www.ja.axxs.net/unlock/

Taken from; http://www.experts-exchange.com/Security/Q_21406957.html?query=lost+bios+password+&clearTAFilter=true

Clearing CMOS doesn't help here -- otherwise removing the BIOS battery (and "all other forms of power") would have cleared the issue.

Your laptop uses a security chip.   This basically means it CANNOT be reset -- you have to know the password.   The only solutions are:

(1)  Return it to Dell along with proof of ownership.  They'll replace the motherboard (or possibly just the security chip - I don't know which) and possibly the hard drive (if it's an ATA-secure drive -- I'm not sure for this model).   This will cost several hundred $$

(2)  Buy a replacement security chip.  This is a surface mounted chip, so replacing it requires good soldering skills and the right equipment.   A surface mount soldering/desoldering tool costs about $150, and the chips are available for about $60.    If you feel comfortable doing this, here's somewhere you can buy the equipment and the chip.  Note they'll also recover the password from the old chip for you for an extra fee (this will allow you to set the same password and you won't have to replace the hard drive).

Modern laptops have excellent security -- this is GOOD for the security of your data.   But can be a real pain if you forget the password.

Note:  It's likely your hard drive is ATA-secure, but if you want to test that (to see if you can recover your data), just buy a laptop-IDE adapter, plug your laptop's hard drive in it, and see if the system can "see" the drive and its data okay.   Or can you still get to the data okay? ... if so, I'd be sure you have excellent backups before you "mess" with the system to replace the security chip.