Clearing Your PC’s CMOS (BIOS) Settings

Clearing Your PC’s CMOS (BIOS) Settings

CMOS is a chip that keeps a record of installed components when your PC is turned off. Clearing CMOS settings may help you resolve some common problems. For example:

when you need to clear passwords to have full access to your PC’s BIOS Setup program

when your PC cannot detect an expansion card or other device

when you are having problems booting the PC.

You can clear CMOS settings:

by using your PC’s BIOS Setup program

by opening your PC and clearing CMOS manually.

Clearing CMOS Using the Setup Program

If you are able to gain access to your PC’s Setup program, use the following simple method to clear CMOS settings:

1Restart your PC and press F2 when the message Press F2 to enter Setup appears on screen. Refer to page 72.

2From within the Setup program, press F9 to load Setup defaults.

3Press F10 to exit Setup saving changes.

Manually Clearing CMOS and Passwords

You should clear CMOS manually when you cannot gain access to the PC’s Setup program.

To clear CMOS and Passwords:

1Remove the PC’s main cover. Refer to page 49.

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