System crash then wants unknown Bios password?

[Matt]

Dell OptiPlex computer running Win 2k Crashed hard, rebooted and know wants Bios password don't know password was just entering past it. Help can I just wipe everything and start over?

[patio]

A BIOS password will not just show up without being entered...
Tell us the rest of the story.

[Matt]

I don't know I try ed reloading the operating system before no luck know it wont let me in at all. can I wipe the hard drive and start over?

[Salmon Trout]

Dell OptiPlexes running Win2K are often found in offices, schools, etc. I know them well.

Dell, Inc. targets its OptiPlex line of desktop computers for sale into the corporate, government and education markets.

They are nice little quiet portable (!) machines. If a BIOS password is set and required to start, that is because the owner made it that way. A "hard crash" cannot cause this. A used one from a reputable (!) ex-corporate supplier will not have one set and activated.

Having said that, Dell does not make a secret of how to remove a OptiPlex BIOS password, I am surprised to note.

[kareem eltanahy]

if you don't know the bios password just remove the battery of the mother-Bord for 5 minutes then put it .no password i think will appear ....

[Salmon Trout]

if you don't know the bios password just remove the battery of the mother-Bord for 5 minutes then put it .no password i think will appear ....

I don't think so.

[kareem eltanahy]

why it will work the battery hold the memory of computer (clock,date,windows password,bios setup,bios password) things like that by removing the the battery all this info will be gone

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

I don't think so.

[Salmon Trout]

No point in bios password if battery removal sufficient to remove.

Optiplex bios password reset instructions not a secret anyway.

[kareem eltanahy]

i had some problem with this stuff  before that what i have done and it worked
 

[Salmon Trout]

lose the silly bananas

[Matt]

This Computer was originally owned by my wife x company. When they upgraded they sold the old ones cheep so we got it for a spare . So if i remove the battery the Bios is volital and will be lost. Is there a reset or dip switch?

[Salmon Trout]

This Computer was originally owned by my wife x company. When they upgraded they sold the old ones cheep so we got it for a spare . So if i remove the battery the Bios is volital and will be lost. Is there a reset or dip switch?

If you type "remove Dell Optiplex BIOS password" into Google, one of the first results takes you to the Dell website where you can read:

Dell Optiplex BIOS Password Recovery

The BIOS password may be cleared from a Dell Optiplex by removing the password jumper (PSWD) from the motherboard.

The location of the password jumper on a Dell Optiplex motherboard can be found by reviewing the Optiplex User Guides.

For most Dell Optiplex desktops, the steps to reset a BIOS password and clear all CMOS settings are:

    * Locate the 3-pin CMOS password reset jumper on the system board.
    * Remove the jumper plug from pins 1 and 2.
    * Place the jumper plug on pins 2 and 3 and wait approximately 5 seconds.
    * Replace the jumper plug on pins 1 and 2.

You have not said which Optiplex model you have, but a link on that page will take you to a list of models with a link to each guide.