Award BIOS Password Reset

TL;DR

Forgotten your Award BIOS password? This guide shows you how to reset it using a CMOS clear jumper or, if that fails, by flashing the BIOS. Warning: Flashing the BIOS is risky and can brick your motherboard if done incorrectly.

Resetting Your Award BIOS Password

1. Identify Your Motherboard Model

You’ll need to know the exact model of your motherboard. This information is usually printed on the board itself, often near the CPU socket or RAM slots. It’s also in your computer’s documentation.

2. CMOS Clear Jumper Method
1. Power Down and Disconnect: Turn off your computer completely and unplug it from the mains power supply. This is crucial!
2. Locate the CMOS Jumper: Consult your motherboard manual to find the location of the Clear CMOS jumper. It’s usually labeled CLR_CMOS, CCMOS, or similar. It’s typically a group of 2-3 pins near the battery.
3. Change Jumper Position: The jumper will normally be in positions 1-2. Move it to positions 2-3 for a few seconds (usually 5-10 is enough).
4. Return Jumper to Original Position: Move the jumper back to its original position (1-2).
5. Reconnect Power and Boot: Plug your computer back in and turn it on. The BIOS settings will be reset to default, including the password. You may need to reconfigure boot order and other settings.
3. BIOS Flash Method (Advanced – Use with Caution!)

This method is risky! Incorrectly flashing your BIOS can render your motherboard unusable. Only proceed if the CMOS clear jumper doesn’t work, and you are comfortable working with BIOS files.

1. Download the Correct BIOS File: Go to your motherboard manufacturer’s website and download the latest (or a known-working) BIOS file for your exact motherboard model.
2. Prepare a Bootable USB Drive: You’ll need a bootable USB drive formatted as FAT32. Use a tool like Rufus (https://rufus.ie/) to create one.
3. Copy the BIOS File to the USB Drive: Copy the downloaded BIOS file (usually a .BIN or .ROM file) to the root directory of the bootable USB drive.
4. Boot into the BIOS Flash Utility: Restart your computer and enter the BIOS setup utility (usually by pressing Del, F2, F12, or Esc during startup – check your motherboard manual). Look for a BIOS flash option within the BIOS menu. It might be called “BIOS Update”, “Flash Utility”, or similar.
5. Select the BIOS File: Within the flash utility, select the BIOS file from the USB drive. Double-check that you’ve selected the correct file!
6. Start the Flash Process: Follow the on-screen instructions to start the BIOS flashing process. Do not interrupt this process! Power loss or interruption during flashing can brick your motherboard.
7. Restart and Test: Once the flash is complete, your computer will restart. The BIOS should now be reset, including the password. You may need to reconfigure boot order and other settings.
4. If Flashing Fails: If the BIOS flash fails, consult your motherboard manufacturer’s website for recovery options. Some motherboards have a dual-BIOS feature or require specialized tools to recover from a failed flash.