BIOS Password

My nephew has entered a BIOS password for his (relatively new) Gateway
machine. On each start the user is presented with a console "Enter
CURRENT Password:" query. We want to get rid of this password.

We know what the password is, so that's not the problem. The snag
comes in trying to hit F1 (or DEL, or whatever it is) to enter BIOS
setup. The machine rips through the initial BIOS screen so fast after
entering the password, that we cannot hit the key fast enough.

Short of clearing the CMOS, can anyone recommend what to do? I'm
hoping that someone might know a trick. Like hitting F1 to enter the
password and go to BIOS setup, for instance. That doesn't work, but I
think you see what I mean.
Thanks for any constructive suggestions you can provide.

My nephew has entered a BIOS password for his (relatively new) Gateway
machine. On each start the user is presented with a console "Enter
CURRENT Password:" query. We want to get rid of this password.

We know what the password is, so that's not the problem. The snag
comes in trying to hit F1 (or DEL, or whatever it is) to enter BIOS
setup. The machine rips through the initial BIOS screen so fast after
entering the password, that we cannot hit the key fast enough

It will usually be either F1, Del, or F10 (maybe there are others), so try
hitting one of them repeatedly as soon as you power on.. hopefully you'll
get into the BIOS then.. (works for me on some machines, but not all)..

If that doesn't work, clear the cmos.. all you lose is boot order, system
time, etc... not a huge process to set these again..


Regards,
Chris

In message . com
wrote:

My nephew has entered a BIOS password for his (relatively new) Gateway
machine. On each start the user is presented with a console "Enter
CURRENT Password:" query. We want to get rid of this password.

We know what the password is, so that's not the problem. The snag
comes in trying to hit F1 (or DEL, or whatever it is) to enter BIOS
setup. The machine rips through the initial BIOS screen so fast after
entering the password, that we cannot hit the key fast enough.

IIRC, you can press F10 while the password screen is up, then type your
password and hit enter and you'll get the boot menu -- From there you
can go to "Enter Setup"

However, if not, as soon as you hit enter press and hold F2 or F10 and
it will probably work.


--
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but whips and chains excite me.

DevilsPGD wrote:
In message . com
wrote:


My nephew has entered a BIOS password for his (relatively new) Gateway
machine. On each start the user is presented with a console "Enter
CURRENT Password:" query. We want to get rid of this password.

We know what the password is, so that's not the problem. The snag
comes in trying to hit F1 (or DEL, or whatever it is) to enter BIOS
setup. The machine rips through the initial BIOS screen so fast after
entering the password, that we cannot hit the key fast enough.


IIRC, you can press F10 while the password screen is up, then type your
password and hit enter and you'll get the boot menu -- From there you
can go to "Enter Setup"

However, if not, as soon as you hit enter press and hold F2 or F10 and
it will probably work.

I got it to work by tapping F1. It took about 20 restarts before I was
lucky enough to hit the mark, but it is all resolved now. Thanks for
the the considerations.

Grinder wrote:

DevilsPGD wrote:

In message . com
wrote:


My nephew has entered a BIOS password for his (relatively new) Gateway
machine. On each start the user is presented with a console "Enter
CURRENT Password:" query. We want to get rid of this password.

We know what the password is, so that's not the problem. The snag
comes in trying to hit F1 (or DEL, or whatever it is) to enter BIOS
setup. The machine rips through the initial BIOS screen so fast after
entering the password, that we cannot hit the key fast enough.



IIRC, you can press F10 while the password screen is up, then type your
password and hit enter and you'll get the boot menu -- From there you
can go to "Enter Setup"

However, if not, as soon as you hit enter press and hold F2 or F10 and
it will probably work.


I got it to work by tapping F1. It took about 20 restarts before I was
lucky enough to hit the mark, but it is all resolved now. Thanks for
the the considerations.

Sometimes you get into CMOS by holding down a key (any key) on the
keyboard during POST. Bios will generally detect the keyboard error and
often give you an opportunity to enter SETUP at that point with a
message of how to do so.