Install Windows XP, no floppy, no BIOS access

[paulinnorway]

Hi,

A friend of mine wants me to do a clean re-install of Windows XP Home Edition. The problems is.....he has no floppy disk drive, and his BIOS is password protected (and he can't remember the password ). Since I can't get into the BIOS, I can't change the boot order to boot from CD-ROM first.

Any ideas about how I can install Windows XP on his laptop? I'm not an expert at computers, so I'm hoping there is an easy(ish) solution .

Thanks 8-)

[uesquebeathus]

what is the motherboard?
can you give us more data on the computer specification please?
 
follow the intructions below carefully try not to disturb any components or cables
 backup or copy any changes you may have made to the bios settings

there is a jumper usually beside the battery on the motherboard, it should be over one pin and if you put it over both pins it will reset the bios back to the last basic settings.
  copy any changes you may have made to the bios settings, the move the jumper over for a few seconds then put it back over one pin only.
  to restart your computer you may have to insert the date and time again, but your password should be cleared.
  

[uesquebeathus]

to get into the bios is the same as on a computer, it is either the "Esc" or "Del" or "F1".
but more details on the manufaturer and model will help us.

the jumper is still available even on a laptop its only a question of knowing where to look

[Raptor]

Remove the CMOS battery located on the mainboard for approximately 10 seconds or shortcircuit the CMOS jumper.

Refer to your mainboard manual for brand-specific details.

[paulinnorway]

Thanks for the replies, I will reply to your posts when I get home from work in an hour or two.

[paulinnorway]

I'm back home now, so here are more details for you.

- Toshiba laptop (model name: Satellite P30-107)
- Operating system: Windows XP Home Edition
- When I press F2 I get to the BIOS screen where it asks me for the password. It says PhoenixBIOS at the top of the screen (just in case knowing the BIOS brand helps......assuming Phoenix is the company that made the BIOS?? :-?)
- I found out that he has an external USB floppy disk drive. Does this help, or does it have to be an internal floppy drive?

Uesquebeathus:
- How do I find out what type of motherboard it is? Do I have to open up the laptop?
- What exactly is a jumper?

Raptor:
- Removing the CMOS battery for 10 seconds also sounds like a good idea.

Thanks again for your time 8-)

[Raptor]

Removing the CMOS battery and shortcircuiting the jumper would do the same, but the problem is that your laptop probably hasn't got a jumper to shortcircuit. However, it may have a BIOS battery but I can't tell you where it is located. I suggest looking underneath the keyboard if you can remove that.

Perhaps your manual has got more detailed information on doing that. It's the only way to clear the BIOS password.

[Rob Pomeroy]

Try >CmosPwd< to recover the password.

[paulinnorway]

Try >CmosPwd< to recover the password.

Thanks for the reply. I just tried that but when I read the instructions it seems that it doesn't work for laptops:

"On laptops, the password is usually stored in an eeprom on the motherboard,
you need an eeprom programmer (electronic device) to retrieve it."

I've also decided against the idea of taking out the CMOS battery because of the risk of damaging the laptop.

However, my friend has told me he has an external floppy disk drive. He will give it to me tomorrow so hopefully I won't have any driver issues with it.
On a different forum I was informed of a 6 floppy disk solution (I think I saw something about that when I was doing a few google searches).
With a bit of luck that will work out......otherwise I'll probably be back in here looking for more answers from you guys

[Raptor]

I've also decided against the idea of taking out the CMOS battery because of the risk of damaging the laptop.

It should be easily accessible, though..

[paulinnorway]

I've also decided against the idea of taking out the CMOS battery because of the risk of damaging the laptop.

It should be easily accessible, though..

My main concern is the risk of static electricity. I'm not going to go out and buy a ESD braclet (or whatever it's called), so I'm wondering if there are more basic ways of earthing myself while looking inside the laptop?

[Raptor]

What you could do is ground yourself for about 60 seconds with the inside of your computer casing (Unpainted metal) and then proceed to work inside the laptop. Or just keep the metal of the PC case touched at all times, but that is a bit cumbersome unless you're using to working with one hand..

You should first contact the Laptop's manufacturer to ask them where theBIOS battery is located and if you can even remove it at all.

[patio]

An ESD bracelet is about 5 bucks...

[paulinnorway]

What you could do is ground yourself for about 60 seconds with the inside of your computer casing (Unpainted metal) and then proceed to work inside the laptop. Or just keep the metal of the PC case touched at all times, but that is a bit cumbersome unless you're using to working with one hand..

You should first contact the Laptop's manufacturer to ask them where theBIOS battery is located and if you can even remove it at all.

The problem is that my friend bought his laptop in france and he has none of the documentation with him. He wouldn't even know where to look or who to contact. Therefore I think I'll first try to do the 6 XP floppy disks method and see how that goes. If it doesn't work then I'll have a quick look inside the laptop to see if I can see the CMOS battery or not.
I should have the external floppy disk drive tomorrow, so I'll be able to experiment for an hour or two. With a bit or luck I'll have no problems.
PS. I do appreciate the time and effort you give to my questions 8-)

[patio]

An ESD bracelet is about 5 bucks...