How to Jump Your Motherboard to Reset BIOS

By Jeffrey Ober

If you have accidentally used a BIOS setting that prevents you from getting back into the BIOS menu, you may need to reset your BIOS. If you aren't sure what settings you have changed, or merely want to reset your computer and BIOS to the factory settings, you can reset those settings on most motherboards by using a jumper. This won't fix every problem with your BIOS, but it will set up your BIOS so that it has the best chance of starting up so you can access it and change other settings yourself.

Step 1

Determine the manufacturer and model of the motherboard you are using. If you do not know, open your computer case and look on the motherboard itself. Most motherboards have the manufacturer and model information printed on them, although it could be anywhere on the motherboard.

Step 2

Locate the manual for your particular motherboard. The easiest way to do this is often to search the Internet with your exact motherboard name and model. You can also try to locate the website of the manufacturer of your motherboard. Nearly every motherboard manufacturer has documents and manuals online for all of its motherboards.

Step 3

Find, in the manual, the location of the BIOS reset jumper. If you cannot find the manual, or cannot find the location of this jumper in the manual, you can search the motherboard yourself. Look near all the jumpers. Often, the jumpers are labeled in some manner. You are looking for a jumper that usually has three pins and one plug that covers two of the pins. It will often be labeled something like "RST" or "rbt." Some will even be marked "Reset."

Step 4

Move the jumper from two of the pins to the other two pins. If the jumper, for example, is on pins 1 and 2 of the three-pin set, move it to pins 2 and 3. If it is on pins 2 and 3, move it to pins 1 and 2.

Step 5

Turn on the computer for a few seconds, then turn it off. Some motherboards will reset as soon as the jumper is in place, while others will need power and a few seconds of operation to reset.

Step 6

Put the jumper back in its original position.

Step 7

Turn the computer back on, and your BIOS should be reset.

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