Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > CPUs > Need help with BIOS...
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Is this in the wrong section?

Well, anyhow, I was trying to install Ubuntu on my computer, but when I tried opening BIOS it asked me for my password.

I entered my current password, but it said it was incorrect.

I tried it numerous times to make sure there were no typos, but no avail.

Help please?

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Take the battery out and short the jumper on the motherboard. That should put everything back to default settings.

Reply to sportsfanboy

But it's not a laptop..

Thanks for the advice though, at least someone replied.

Reply to lulz at my RAM

sportsfanboy wrote :

Take the battery out and short the jumper on the motherboard. That should put everything back to default settings.



He means the small coin-cell battery (probably CR2032) that powers the CMOS and maintains the BIOS settings when the computer is powered off.

Reply to rockford

Yeah, Rockford is right... I should be a little more clear sometimes. The battery should be about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch in diameter. And the jumper is typically 3 pins with a thingy covering two of them. It should be to the right of the battery. What you do is simple... Take out the battery, and then move the jumper to the opposite position from where it is already at, then back to the original position, done.

Reply to sportsfanboy

Ok, thanks!

So this won't interfere with the data on my computer, only BIOS, correct?

Reply to lulz at my RAM

If I do this, is there still a slight chance that I may harm my computer?

Reply to lulz at my RAM

Because I don't want to hurt my computer.

Reply to lulz at my RAM

You need to discharge your kinetic energy, and touch a grounded surface to be completely safe. Don't do it on the carpet. Just be careful and take your time and nothing bad will happen.

Reply to sportsfanboy

How would I discharge kinetic energy?

Try to shock myself?

Reply to lulz at my RAM

Well something like that... Have you ever slid your feet on carpet, then touch a metal object? You get that little electrical discharge. Just touch some metal before touching your motherboard, than you can hold the side of the case(provided it's metal) and work with the other hand, then your good.

Reply to sportsfanboy

Thanks.

Is there a guide someone on how a person would go about doing this?

You gave me a rough outline about resetting it, but some pictures would be nice.

Would I need to say what type of computer I have?

HP pavillion a610n

Reply to lulz at my RAM

Your guess is as good as mine on the guide, time to use google.

Reply to sportsfanboy

Can't find the battery...

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc178/i_run3_i/WTFnobatteryhax.jpg

Reply to lulz at my RAM

This link should help you out.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc [...] =c00069442

Go to the section for Clearing BIOS password.

Hope it helps.

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Reply to NMDante

Yay, got it to work.

But now when I try to install Ubuntu like the directions say, it says "Disk boot error - Insert disk then press Enter".

I tried it a few times but it didn't work.

Reply to lulz at my RAM

Glad you got your BIOS password thing fixed.

As for your Ubuntu install...wish I could help, but I don't know much about Ubuntu, other than it's a Linux based OS.

Good luck.

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Reply to NMDante

Thanks for wanting to help.

Reply to lulz at my RAM
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