Removed CMOS battery from laptop but BIOS is still locked \ VOGONS

Removed CMOS battery from laptop but BIOS is still locked

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First post, by EvieSigma

Posted on 2020-06-24, 17:39

EvieSigma Offline

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I recently acquired a Compaq Armada M700 laptop, and it's really cool, but right now it's basically unusable because it complains about bad BIOS settings and the BIOS is locked. Naturally, I removed the CMOS battery but was shocked to find that even without the battery installed the BIOS is still locked:

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Is there some kind of jumper or switch I need to adjust to clear the password, then? I couldn't find one while I was inside the machine.

Reply 1 of 5, by chrismeyer6

Posted on 2020-06-24, 18:13

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https://www.daniweb.com/hardware-and-software … sword-reset/amp

Hopefully you can find what the info in here. They list a few different ways to try

Reply 2 of 5, by cyclone3d

Posted on 2020-06-24, 18:24

cyclone3d Offline

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This person says to remove the CMOS battery and the laptop battery and then plug it in with the power adapter and it should clear the password:
https://www.betaarchive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8486

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Reply 3 of 5, by MAZter

Posted on 2020-06-24, 18:35

MAZter Offline

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I don’t remember exactly how to remove the password, in my experience I left it without a battery all night

Doom is what you want (c) MAZter

Reply 4 of 5, by EvieSigma

Posted on 2020-06-24, 18:41

EvieSigma Offline

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Kind of nice to know I'm not the only one who's gotten one of these and been locked out of the BIOS!

Leaving it a while without the main battery and CMOS battery seems to have done it, no more lock. Thank you!

Reply 5 of 5, by chrismeyer6

Posted on 2020-06-24, 18:43

chrismeyer6 Offline

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Excellent!! Glad to hear the password is gone. Here's to happy retro computing/gaming

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