220-801 · Question #634
A user has forgotten their BIOS password on their computer. Which of the following would a technician use to allow the user access to their PC?
The correct answer is D. Set the password clear jumper on the motherboard. The standard hardware method to clear a forgotten BIOS password is to set the password-clear jumper on the motherboard, which resets NVRAM/CMOS settings including stored passwords.
Question
A user has forgotten their BIOS password on their computer. Which of the following would a technician use to allow the user access to their PC?
Options
- ARemove the BIOS chip on the PC
- BRe-flash the BIOS
- CRun password cracking software on the user's PC
- DSet the password clear jumper on the motherboard
How the community answered
(34 responses)- A9% (3)
- B3% (1)
- C6% (2)
- D82% (28)
Why each option
The standard hardware method to clear a forgotten BIOS password is to set the password-clear jumper on the motherboard, which resets NVRAM/CMOS settings including stored passwords.
Physically removing the BIOS chip risks permanent damage to the motherboard and is not a supported recovery method.
Re-flashing the BIOS updates firmware code but does not necessarily clear the stored BIOS password held in NVRAM or CMOS.
Password cracking software operates at the OS level and cannot reach BIOS-level passwords stored in NVRAM before the OS loads.
Most motherboards include a dedicated password-clear or CMOS-reset jumper that, when moved to the clear position and the system briefly powered, erases stored BIOS settings including the password. This is the manufacturer-supported method that restores access without damaging any hardware or requiring software tools.
Concept tested: BIOS password reset using motherboard jumper
Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/deployment/clear-bios-password
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