Resetting BIOS Password??

[DRA6N]

I for the life of me cannot get this to reset. My mom gave me her old laptop, which she doesn't remember her login info. I have software to fix that no problem.. only issue is that I need to boot from CD to run that. I tried to go into the BIOS to set it to boot from CD but its locked. She didn't even know it was passworded and I cannot figure out how to reset it. I know on most laptops and desktops you simply remove the CMOS battery for a while, replace it and the password is reset.. thats not the case for this. 

 

I took the laptop apart all the way down to the motherboard, there is no battery at all. I looked at the service manual and it says to jump the J1 under the memory modules.. my laptop does not look the same as their picture and there is no J1 jumper..

 

any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Laptop is an Acer Aspire 5517

 

The acer manual http://tim.id.au/laptops/acer/aspire%205517.pdf

Says this jumper:

http://imgur.com/KMwky9o

 

My laptop looks like:

http://imgur.com/0qqBPMH

[ross06187]

@DRA6N  you pritty much have the correct method.  you need to use the jumper to clear the bios allowing for the boot devices to be changed.

 

If that does not work there are other simple things you can do to bypass the log in by removing the hard drive and mounting it as a external drive.

 

I wont go in to exact details as it essentially os hacking and i think its against the forum rules.  not sure though.   I will point out though if you remove the drive from the laptop and put it in a second pc where a boot disk can boot you will have the same functionality as if it was on the laptop.

 

if the drive is encrypted with drive encrypted very common (you don't always need to enter a password on boot it can be done on  hardware level) with enterprise environments then even doing that wont work and a re-install of windows will be needed.

 

[DRA6N]

I dont know which one the jumper is though. If you look at the picture it doesnt look the same as the one the manual describes, even though its the same laptop. It doesnt clearly say CMOS or anything

[DRA6N]

you my friend, are a genius. Thanks for the idea! by using the HDD in a 2nd laptop I was able to boot the needed software! thanks again!

[ross06187]

you my friend, are a genius. Thanks for the idea! by using the HDD in a 2nd laptop I was able to boot the needed software! thanks again!

No problem.  forum tip use the @DRA6N @ Name or Quote button or the person you are taking to wont get a notification .

 

The pictures are different as the motherboards are different.  it not uncommon for a vendor to change motherboard and not update the manual.