Computer must first run BIOS before it can boot to operating system and running your favorite software application. BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is procedural software that is programmed into a ROM (Read Only Memory). In the 80’s and 90’s, BIOS is sometimes referred as CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).
BIOS run every time you power up your PC or notebook. It is some kind of routines procedure which is needed for preparing computer for further tasks. BIOS test hardware devices, starts hard drive and other computer peripheral which are attached to computer.
Most computers can let you configure computer hardware and how it behaves through BIOS. Enough said, BIOS is such a critical thing to manage your computer’s settings and doings. Because of this, you need to secure it by setting up BIOS password.
BIOS password can be set through BIOS settings pages that can be accessed by pressing a key during initial power up session. Most of the time the key to press is F1, F2, F10, or F12. But in some circumstances, you need to press ESC and DEL key. The right key is depends on the computer or BIOS model which can be viewed on computer screen during power up session. Sometimes it may skip through this informational screen because it rolls very fast. In this case you need to press “Pause | Break” key to halt the screen.
Most computers will provide you the ability to change these 3 BIOS passwords that you can set from inside BIOS settings page.
1. Admin BIOS Password, also known as Supervisor Password. This is the higher privileges password in BIOS. This password can overwrite the other 2 passwords which will describe bellow. You do not necessary set this password because your computer or hard drive still can operate normally without it. But in the case that you lost the other 2 passwords, this Administrator Password comes handy to overwrite them.
2. Power On Password. As the name suggested, this password will protect your computer from power on or booting up. Computer will stop on BIOS routine screen, prompts you password and won’t process unless you supply with the right power on password.
3. Password Hard Drive. Setting this will prevent BIOS from starting your hard disk drive. You can not run operating system if the hard disk is the main installation drive. If it is on secondary hard disk, you won’t be able to access the data inside it. Some computer models provide physical lock to secure hard disk instead of password hard drive.
As you can probably tell by now, BIOS password can prevent someone from accessing your computer and data inside your hard disk. But bear in mind, that this kind of security is not foolproof for die-hard intruder. There are some accesses to bypass or event to remove computer BIOS password.
1. If your computer is using CMOS as described earlier, you can bypass CMOS password just by removing CMOS battery. CMOS password alongside its settings will be cleared out.
2. Some BIOS manufacturers are also having built-in default BIOS password or BIOS master password for the purpose of user lost her or his BIOS password. This default bios password recovery will let them go through.
3. There are some softwares that are specially designed to clear BIOS password or clear CMOS routine instructions. You can get this BIOS reset software from third party suppliers, mostly in internet.
4. Some even go the extreme by removing CMOS or BIOS chip from computer motherboard and the replace it with new chip.
Those steps above do require a little effort but most of the time it will work, especially if your computer is from known and popular brands and models.
Now that you have a clearer picture of some type of BIOS password and some tricks to overcome them. Giving your PC a BIOS password is adding some layer of security that can block some average computer users or “hacker wannabe” to give up of getting your data. But as you can see above, there are several loop holes where BIOS password can be revealed or bypass. The bottom line is you need to determine the level risk and data you want to protect. Is BIOS password fit to your need and circumstances?
