Biggles1
asked on
Windows 10, Flashing a BIOS
Hi,
A customer of mine has a computer (which I did not install). I tried to flash the BIOS and got a request for the "admin password". Even though I know the computer's ADMINISTRATOR password.
It looks to me like someone (no one knows who) set the CMOS password. The computer, a Dell All-inOne, uses a UEFI boot.
My question is: Assuming that a CMOS password cannot be broken (which I believe is the case) WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
REPLACE THE CPU? REPLACE THE MOTHERBOARD? Dell Tech support has NO IDEA what I am talking about, so maybe I am totally mistaken.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
Biggles1
A customer of mine has a computer (which I did not install). I tried to flash the BIOS and got a request for the "admin password". Even though I know the computer's ADMINISTRATOR password.
It looks to me like someone (no one knows who) set the CMOS password. The computer, a Dell All-inOne, uses a UEFI boot.
My question is: Assuming that a CMOS password cannot be broken (which I believe is the case) WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
REPLACE THE CPU? REPLACE THE MOTHERBOARD? Dell Tech support has NO IDEA what I am talking about, so maybe I am totally mistaken.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
Biggles1
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Another method, depending on the kind of motherboard, is to remove the flat circular CMOS battery (looks like a watch battery) for about 30 minutes or so. Then put it back in and try again.
You need to get in touch with the PC manufacturer and provide them with proof of ownership (for example the invoice). Once they have that they will help you reset the BIOS password (but the service might not be free, and it could mean changing the laptop's mainboard).
Just removing the CMOS battery or using jumpers won't help with BIOS passwords.
Just removing the CMOS battery or using jumpers won't help with BIOS passwords.
My advice is that unless a BIOS update fixes a specific problem that is known to exist in the system at hand, don't flash the BIOS just because there's a more recent version.
We see far too many askers who come to us with "I trashed the BIOS on my system during a flash, what can I do about it?" Too often the answer is "Nothing. Recycle the motherboard."
So if there's no specific reason to update the BIOS, don't, and that will make the password issue nugatory. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
We see far too many askers who come to us with "I trashed the BIOS on my system during a flash, what can I do about it?" Too often the answer is "Nothing. Recycle the motherboard."
So if there's no specific reason to update the BIOS, don't, and that will make the password issue nugatory. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
The BIOS password should still be known to the owner of the laptop. Then you can properly secure it and also make it a useless piece of junk for any thief.
Can you take a snapshot of the screen when this appears?
I just with to verify that this is a BIOS password and not a Windows password.
I just with to verify that this is a BIOS password and not a Windows password.
William has provided you with the generic way to reset the password of various Dell systems, see above post. But since each computer is different, a desktop is different from portable (laptop) which may be different from an all in one computer it is hard to generalize which one will work for you unless we knew the model. Even if we had the service tag we can look up the model number. Generic questions that do not have much information receive generic answers. Being more through in your questions help us to provide information on your specific model.
ASKER
Hi, Here are some answers:
The computer is an All-In-One OPTIPLEX 9030, with Service Tag FZ08N22.
I have also attached a screenshot showing the dialog box asking for the 'Admin' password. The background is the Dell Website from which I downloaded the BIOS "driver". This is obviously not requesting the 'Administrator' password.
The computer is an All-In-One OPTIPLEX 9030, with Service Tag FZ08N22.
I have also attached a screenshot showing the dialog box asking for the 'Admin' password. The background is the Dell Website from which I downloaded the BIOS "driver". This is obviously not requesting the 'Administrator' password.
ASKER
PS
Also, the Dell Tech Rep was remotely logged into the computer and knew the Service Tag and the Model.
Also, the Dell Tech Rep was remotely logged into the computer and knew the Service Tag and the Model.
i don't see any screenshot?
ASKER
Sorry. I hope the screen shot uploaded correctly this time.
Sorry, still no screenshot.