How do I remove the BIOS Setup password from a DELL Inspiron 1501 series notebook?

Question

I tried removing the CMOS Battery, RAM, Hard disk, & the Processor. The settings were resetted but the password still remains. I just dont know how I forgot the password, its just a simple word I used.
Pls, I need your help out there!

Answer 1

nice

Answer 2

Hi

First try removing both the laptop battery and power supply and then remove the CMOS battery, might clear it but if not you could try here:
http://www.i-hacked.com/content/view/36/91/
This page details possible ways to reset/bypass password

If that fails try the the following steps (from the Dell support site)
Follow the Debugging Method to Reset the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS).
1. Boot to a DOS Prompt with the Resource CD.
2. At the prompt, type DEBUG and press .
3. Type o70 16 and press .
4. Type o70 16 and press .
5. Type Q and press .
6. Restart the computer.

If you receive a checksum error during startup, reset your system setup options to the default configuration.

Do a search on their support site for "bios" if that doesn't work and see if anything else is relevant

Good Luck

Answer 3

(1) Return it to Dell along with proof of ownership. They'll replace the motherboard (or possibly just the security chip - I don't know which) and possibly the hard drive

(2) Buy a replacement security chip. This is a surface mounted chip, so replacing it requires good soldering skills and the right equipment. A surface mount soldering/desoldering tool costs about $150, and the chips are available for about $60. If you feel comfortable doing this, here's somewhere you can buy the equipment and the chip. Note they'll also recover the password from the old chip for you for an extra fee (this will allow you to set the same password and you won't have to replace the hard drive).

Modern laptops have excellent security -- this is GOOD for the security of your data. But can be a real pain if you forget the password.

Note: It's likely your hard drive is ATA-secure, but if you want to test that (to see if you can recover your data), just buy a laptop-IDE adapter, plug your laptop's hard drive in it, and see if the system can "see" the drive and its data okay. Or can you still get to the data okay? ... if so, I'd be sure you have excellent backups before you "mess" with the system to replace the security chip.

Answer 4

Find your motherboard booklet to the motherboard. Look for the BIOS jumper and remove it. Make sure you know how to set up the bios since it will reset everything.

Answer 5

You can't this is set by dell interfering with it will harm your system and voids any warrenties....