If a BIOS or CMOS password is forgotten, in some cases it may be possible to use a generic BIOS password to bypass the unknown password. Using a generic BIOS password, you can change the password to a different password. Below is a list of generic passwords for each major BIOS manufacturer, but we cannot guarantee any of these passwords work on your computer.

AMI BIOS

A.M.I.AMIAMI_SWAMI?SWBIOSHEWLITT RANDLKWPETERPASSWORDOder

The brand of your computer is not the BIOS manufacturer. You need to determine what BIOS your computer’s motherboard has by checking with the manufacturer of your computer. You may also be able to find the BIOS chip on the motherboard and see if it lists the manufacturer on it.

With today’s computers, it is easier to reset the BIOS or CMOS password using a jumper, instead of trying the passwords below. For more information, see: How to clear an unknown BIOS or CMOS password.

Award BIOS

01322222589589589721595595598598aLLyaLLYALLYALFAROMEaPAf_awardAWARD SWAWARD PWAWARD_SWAWARD?SWAWKWARDBIOSTARCONCATCondod8ondjonetHLTJ64J256J262j332j322KDDLKWPETERlkwpeterPINTpintSERSKY_FOXSYXZTTPTHAZAAADAZBAAACAZJAAADC

Russian award passwords

% p%% p%

IBM Aptiva BIOS

Press both mouse buttons repeatedly during the boot

Phoenix BIOS

phoenix

Other BIOS

ALFAROMEBIOSTARbiostarbiosstarCMOScmosLKWPETERlkwpetersetupSETUPSyxzWodj

Some computers with a Toshiba BIOS

Hold down the Shift key as the computer is booting.

  • See our password definition for further information and related links.
  • Computer BIOS help and support.