How to Reset the BIOS Password for My Dell Vostro
By Dustin Lamb
You can clear the password required to change settings in the BIOS of your Dell computer. You may want to do this if you or someone else set a password for the computer and it has been forgotten or lost. BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System, and is a program loaded when a computer is turned on to tell it what to do. When it is password protected, you cannot change the BIOS settings without the password. Dell's Vostro line includes desktops and laptops, but the steps are similiar for both.
Step 1
Shut down your computer. Disconnect the power cable from the back of the computer.
Step 2
Remove the battery if you are using a laptop. Otherwise, go to the next step.
Step 3
Go to the Dell Manuals website (see Resources). Enter your product model. Click "View" to the right of "Service Manual" to view information for working on your exact computer model.
Step 4
Click "System Board" to see a diagram of the motherboard. This will help in locating the motherboard battery. Other disassembly information may be available, but this varies based on which computer model you have.
Step 5
Open the computer case and locate the round silver battery on the motherboard. This is the battery that allows the computer to store BIOS information even when the main battery or power cord is unplugged.
Step 6
Remove the motherboard battery. Press the power button on the computer for at least 10 seconds to clear any remaining charge.
Step 7
Replace the motherboard battery. Reconnect the laptop battery, if applicable, and power cable. Press the power button on the computer.
Step 8
Press the key indicated on screen to attempt to enter BIOS again. If there is still a password, go to the next step.
Step 9
Replace any case covers you removed earlier to access the motherboard battery. Call Dell Home and Home Office Hardware Technical Support at 1-877-293-1197 and request the BIOS reset key for your computer model.
References
Writer Bio
Dustin Lamb contributes to various online publications, specializing in computers and technology. Lamb has a bachelor's degree in computer information systems from Cleary University and also works as a technology consultant.