BIOS Setup on a Gateway

[Tom Hughes]

I would like to learn how I can reset my supervisor password in my BIOS setup utility. When I first bought my computer I remember discovering the BIOS window. At the time I didn't know very much, but I liked the idea of having the ability to set passwords for the systems on my computer. I remember setting the password, but now I don't remember what that Password was. I would like to regain access to the Supervisor password settings. Can anyone tell me how this is done? I have Windows98SE installed on a Gateway E-4200(pentiumII).

[GaryRouth]

If you press the F1 key as your system is starting up, can you enter the Bios Setup screens - or are you prompted for a password? [. . . and is it this password that you've forgotten?]

1) If you can enter Bios Setup with the F1 key, go to the Security menus to set the passwords as you like.

2) If you can't enter Bios Setup at all, you'll need to power off your computer, unplug it from the power outlet, open the case, and look on the motherboard (might need a magnifying glass for this part) for a jumper for clearing your Bios settings. On your system, this is labelled J7B1. It's down to one side of your PCI slots next to the coin-like round CMOS battery. During normal operation, the little plastic/metal cover sits on pins 1 and 2. You pull straight up, and put it in pins 2 and 3. Then plug the power back in & power up. A Gateway Bios Setup screen will now let you set up - in those screens you can choose to use a password or not, or change a password. When you are all done in there, you exit & power off & unplug (as before). . . and return the jumper to pins 1 and 2.

That should do it for Bios passwords. (& here is your system manual, in case you need more details http://support.gateway.com/s/manuals...es/8503809.pdf )
____________________
But I'm wondering if you are referring to different logon passwords in Windows when on a network, which is another matter. If you need help with those, post again & let us know.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[. . . just noticed that this was your first post: Welcome to the PC Mechanic forums]

[Tom Hughes]

Hi Gary,
Thanks for answering. Yes I know how to get to BIOS utility by pressing F1. I think the supervisor password setup utility is on the advanced menu. When I scroll down through the setups, the supervisor password item is bypassed. I cannot reset it.
I will try your J7B1 method. If I do this, will all of my BIOS settings return to Default? Will this affect Window startup?
This information might be in the manual that you gave me the link to. I wiil check it out. After I complete the operation, I will post again. Thanks man.

[bailey]

I would write downall the settings on it before I did the reset, so that you can put back the ones you want the way it was.

[GaryRouth]

Hi again - yes, bailey's idea is a good one. The jumper will set everything to Defaults. You'll want to setup your customized values again for top performance.
. . . Gary