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General discussion

can't change BIOS boot order in my Dell Optiplex GX280

by ricardo arrowsmith Mar 13, 2011 1:22AM PST

need to change boot order in BIOS in order to reinstall windows xp. There is a BIOS administration password preventing me from changing boot order, to have the CD first. Tried using a backdoor password, another software to identify the password, everything failed. Removed CMOS battery for about one hour, that changed date and time but did not remove the administrator password. Flashing of BIOS is not possible since the administrator password is required. Tried looking for jumpers in motherboard to clear BIOS but haven't found any. BIOS is A04 from 02//09/05. Any help will be appreciated.

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2 Posts

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Just checking.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 13, 2011 1:56AM PST

Why wouldn't I go to dell docs like http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx280/en/ug/smtindex.htm and in two clicks read how to clear that password?

Or did you do that and it failed?
Bob

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problem solved

by ricardo arrowsmith Mar 13, 2011 1:12PM PDT

I had missed that article from Dell. I followed the instructions, removed the jumper that controlled administration password and I was able to unlock BIOS. Thanks a lot for your professional advice. You've saved may day!

Ricardo Arrowsmith

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